OTTAWA, August 5, 2025 — Following an extensive selection process, which included public online voting, Canadian Immigrant has named Emilio Alarcón, PhD, one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2025.
This national people’s choice awards program celebrates inspirational immigrants who are community advocates, volunteers, entrepreneurs, cultural icons, and leaders in their fields and have made a meaningful impact on Canadian society.
As a scientist in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the Ottawa Heart Institute and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Emilio Alarcón’s research focuses on developing novel, biocompatible materials to repair heart tissue after heart attacks and restore damaged organs. Using peptides as building blocks, his team in the Bio-Engineering and Therapeutic Solutions Laboratory creates engineered tissues that avoid animal products and common allergens, offering safer and more sustainable solutions for medical treatments.
"Receiving this award means a great deal to me. It reflects the hard work not only of myself, but of my former and current trainees, mentors, and many others—including my family. I am deeply honoured and grateful to be named among such an inspiring class of Canadian immigrants," said Dr. Emilio Alarcón.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Alarcón is a dedicated mentor and disability advocate. Through his INTBIOTECH training program, he supports brilliant young minds from marginalized backgrounds, helping them realize their potential and reshape the face of Canada’s biotech and academic sectors. As chair of the Royal Society of Canada’s working group on ableism and disabilities dialogues, he is leading national efforts to build more inclusive and accessible spaces in research and education.
In 2024, Dr. Alarcón was named Latin American Leader by the Group of Latin American Ambassadors to Canada and received the Early Career Investigator of the Year award from the Canadian Biomaterials Society. In 2022, he was named Researcher of the Year in Biomedical Sciences by the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Emilio Alarcón, please contact the liaison below.
Media contact
Leigh B. Morris
Communications Officer
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
613-316-6409 (cell)
lmorris@ottawaheart.ca