Concordia researcher receives Banting Discovery Award for health innovation

Patricia Comeau, professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Concordia’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, is among the recipients of the 2025 Banting Discovery Award.

Presented by the Banting Discovery Foundation, the award offers up to $30,000 in seed funding for early-career health and biomedical researchers in Canada. It supports projects with strong potential for impact, helping researchers build pilot data to secure larger grants.

Comeau’s project focuses on creating a natural gel that targets bone infections. The soft, biodegradable material can be applied directly to the affected area, where it helps tissue heal and eliminates harmful bacteria. This method could offer a safer, more effective alternative to standard treatments like prolonged antibiotics or surgery for conditions such as osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection.

Now in its 100th year, the Banting Discovery Foundation continues to recognize researchers who are pushing the boundaries of biomedical science.

Learn more about Concordia’s Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.