Joe Schwarcz PhD, CM - Director

Dr. Joe Schwarcz is Director of McGill University’s “Office for Science and Society” which has the mission of separating sense from nonsense. He is renowned for his engaging public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging. A recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the prestigious Grady-Stack Award from the American Chemical Society, he is celebrated for demystifying chemistry. Dr. Joe has hosted "The Dr. Joe Show" on Montreal's CJAD for the last 45 years and has been writing his column "The Right Chemistry" in The Montreal Gazette for 30 years. He is frequently called upon by the media to lend his scientific expertise.

Dr. Joe, an amateur conjurer, often spices up his presentations with a little magic. As the author of 21 best-selling books such as "The Right Chemistry" and "Is That a Fact?", he has earned several accolades, including the 2010 Montreal Medal and the 2015 Balles Prize for critical thinking. His latest book, "Better Not Burn Your Toast: The Science of Food and Health," hit shelves in 2025. Dr. Joe became a Member of the Order of Canada in 2025.

Press

"The Prism Podcast", Grant Ritchey and Clay Jones. June 2: https://bit.ly/2HkzsmC

"A Feast of Science" book review, Science-Based Medicine. May 22: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-feast-of-science/

"Monkeys, Myths, and Molecules: A Chemist Separates Fact from Fiction" book review, Science-Based Medicine. August 11: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/monkeys-myths-and-molecules-a-chemist-separates-fact-from-fictio/ 

"Monkeys to Molecules: Joe Schwarcz dispels myths about science" on CBC's The Current; May 6 broadcast: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-may-6-2015-1.3062951/monkeys-to-molecules-joe-schwarcz-dispels-myths-about-science-1.3062999

The Social; May 11 broadcast: http://www.thesocial.ca/video?vid=611525 [segment begins at 2.35 mark]

Canada AM; May 11 broadcast: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=611201&playlistId=1.2368324&binId=1.815911&playlistPageNum=1&binPageNum=1

Global TV; April 29 broadcast: http://globalnews.ca/video/1968169/demystifying-food-trends

The Agenda with Steve Paikin; April 27 broadcast: http://tvo.org/video/212783/last-roundup-debate

"Organic Cosmetics", first segment of a "Organic Panic", a 5-part documentary series on VisionTV; April 15 broadcast: http://www.visiontv.ca/video/organic-panic-e1-cosmetics-full-episode/ 

GAWKER.COM (mention), “The ‘Food Babe’ Blogger is Full of Shit”; http://gawker.com/the-food-babe-blogger-is-full-of-shit-1694902226

New York Times (mention), Courtney Rubin on The Food Babe; March 13, 2015: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/style/taking-on-the-food-industry-one-blog-post-at-a-time.html?_r=0

"Scientists question research on homeopathic treatment for ADHD" on CBC's The Current; March 5 broadcast: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-5-2015-1.2982500/scientists-question-research-on-homeopathic-treatment-for-adhd-1.2982505