About the Host

The host of Quirks & Quarks is Bob McDonald. One of Canada's best known science journalists, Bob has been  presenting the program since 1992. Bob is also a regular science commentator on CBC News Network, and science correspondent for CBC TV's The National. Before joining Quirks & Quarks, Bob was the host of CBC Television's children's science program Wonderstruck. He is also the author of two books based on the program, Wonderstruck I and II.

Fall 2000 saw the release of Bob's book, Measuring the Earth with a Stick: Science as I've seen it. The book, which was short-listed for the Canadian Science Writers Association Book Award, is a collection of essays reflecting on his 25 years as a science journalist.

Bob also hosted and wrote a children's TV science series, Heads Up!, which ran for 3 seasons on TVO and the Knowledge Network. In addition, he is Chairman of the Board for Geospace Planetarium.

Bob has been personally honoured for his contributions to the public awareness of science with the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, from NSERC; the 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal from The Royal Canadian Institute; and in 2005, the McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science from the Royal Society of Canada - completing the 'triple crown' of medals for science communication in Canada. In 2010, Bob was named as an honorary life member of the Sigma Xi Society, the first Canadian to be so honoured by America's oldest scientific body.

And in November, 2011, Bob was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

It's Dr. Bob McDonald  Bob McDonald has been awarded 6 honorary degrees - the most recent being an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Winnipeg - both awarded in June, 2010. Previously, Bob was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science from McMaster University in June, 2008 and a Doctorate of Letters from Laurentian University in Sudbury in October, 2007. You can listen to Bob's speech to the graduating students here.   

In 2005, Bob received an honorary degree from Carleton University. The university awarded him a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, "In recognition of his outstanding contribution to helping the public understand and appreciate science".

Bob was also recognised by The University of Guelph in 2003, with an honorary Doctorate of Letters.

In honour of CBC's 75th anniversary, the CBC Archives have dug up some great old videos, film and audio tape, starring our very own Bob McDonald - in his younger days.

- Bob's page on the CBC 75th Anniversary site