Verena Tunnicliffe, O.C.
Victoria, British Columbia
Verena Tunnicliffe has been exploring uncharted waters for decades. Professor emerita at the University of Victoria, she has participated in more than 50 deep-sea expeditions and made major discoveries in faunal diversity, the dynamics of hydrothermal vents, and the patterns of species distribution. A creative innovator, she spearheaded the development of Canada’s first cabled sea floor observatory, the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS). An esteemed mentor, she has deepened our understanding of the ocean biota and has brought Canada to the forefront of the field.