In winter of 1984, the Chemistry department at McMaster
University offered me a position as Assistant Professor,
funded by an NSERC University Research Fellowship. This
lecture will be a look back at some of the scientific outcomes
in areas of silicon, silica and silicone chemistry, including: the
?-effect; silica and silicone biomaterials; the Piers-Rubinsztajn
reaction; and the sustainability of silicones over the 40ish
years between July 1985 and July 2024, when he formally
retired from teaching.
