Leo Margolis

Leo Margolis (December 18, 1927 – January 13, 1997) was a Canadian parasitologist. He was a pioneer in the use of parasites for identification of Pacific Ocean fish stocks. His discoveries became a crucial point in negotiations over pacific salmon fisheries, as it could now be determined where each individual fish spawned, in the rivers of Canada or the United States.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, he received a B.Sc. in 1948, a M.Sc. in 1950, and a Ph.D in 1952 from McGill University. He joined the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, British Columbia, where was a government scientist, advisor, and diplomatic representative. He became Head of the Fish Health and Parasitology Section of the Station in 1967 and was appointed Senior Scientist in 1990. He suffered a heart attack in 1997 while walking home from work and died several days later, at the age of 70, after being airlifted to a Vancouver hospital.

Honours

* Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, 1975
* Officer of the Order of Canada, 1990
* Honorary Member Atlantic Canada Society of Parasitologists, 1992
* Honorary Member British Society of Parasitology, 1994
* Gold Medal Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, 1995
* Distinguished Service Award American Society of Parasitologists, 1995
* Honorary D.Sc., St. Mary's University, 1995