Position: Professor Emeritus, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
Dr. Mitchell is one of the world's leading authorities on the occurrence and genesis of alkaline rocks. His extensive work on the mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of kimberlites has confirmed the standard genetic model, culminating in his definitive book on this important group of rocks. He has also worked extensively on the character and origin of lamproites, resulting in a new model for their genesis, and publication of the definitive book on these rocks. His work is marked by that rare combination of thoroughness and imagination, and has established him as a foremost petrologist in Canada. He is also a world authority on carbonatites. Among other honours, he is one of 12 Honorary Fellows of the Geological Society of India.
Position: Professor, Director, Integrated Sciences program, University of British Columbia
1999 recipient of the Young Scientist Award of the Mineralogical Association of Canada. With many publications to his credit, and as editor of American Mineralogist, he is a noted authority on the environment and occurrence of carbonatites, pegmatites, and favorable hosts to rare earths and high tech metals.
Position: Professor, Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba
Dr. Chakhmouradian, who originally hails from St Petersburg, teaches and researches mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, and gemology at the University of Manitoba, and is 2005 recipient of the Young Scientist Award of the Mineralogical Association of Canada. He has published widely and among other accomplishments is internationally recognized as an authority on the mineralogy and petrology of alkaline rocks.