Strengthening Canadian physics and medical physics through service and innovative leadership

From his significant contributions to the fields of physics and medical physics in Canada to his innovative leadership at CancerCare Manitoba, Dr. Stephen Pistorius consistently takes an active role in serving his community. He is currently a professor and associate head in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manitoba, as well as the director of the Medical Physics program. He has recently been awarded the 2025 CAP-COMP Peter Kirkby Memorial Medal for Outstanding Service to Canadian Physics.

The award recognizes Pistorius’s contributions to strengthening the Canadian physics community, enhancing the profession of physical scientists, communicating physics to the public and making physics more attractive as a career. All of which Pistorius has accomplished through over 30 years of service in various roles.

“Stephen Pistorius is, first and foremost, a dedicated and inspirational leader, a creative and efficient administrator, and simultaneously, an excellent and innovative researcher”, says Dr. Robert Stamps, the head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manitoba.

When asked what drives him to serve his community through leadership, Pistorius says, “That’s sort of come naturally. People ask people for help, and I tend to have a difficulty in saying no,” he continues, “But while it’s a lot of work, I enjoy it. And I enjoy making a difference.”

Watch the interview

To learn more about Pistorius’s contributions and service to Canadian physics and medical physics, please watch the full interview on the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.