J. Regis Duffy, C.M., O.P.E.I., Ph.D.

Dr. Regis Duffy was born in Kinkora, Prince Edward Island.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Dunstan’s University in 1953 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Fordham University in 1962.  He returned to P.E.I. where he was appointed professor of chemistry and chair of the chemistry department at St. Dunstan's University.  In 1969, he was chosen as the first Dean of Science at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI).

Dr. Duffy is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Diagnostic Chemicals Limited (DCL).  DCL, established in 1970, is a chemical manufacturing company engaged in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients, fine chemicals, enzymes and chemical reagents.  With its headquarters on P.E.I., the company eventually expanded into the United States and Mexico to serve hospitals, clinics, and laboratories around the world.  In 2007, DCL sold its diagnostic division and is now operating its chemical division under the name of BioVectra Inc. and employs more than one hundred and fifty people.

After serving as chair of the UPEI Board of Governors from 1996 to 2006, Dr. Duffy was named board chair emeritus in 2007 for his contributions as a board member and chair, and for his many years of service to the university.  His many honours include being named a member of the Order of Canada (1995), being inducted into the PEI Business Hall of Fame (1998) and honoured as recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island (2010).  He is the founding chair of the PEI BioAlliance, a leadership organization for the bioscience cluster.  In April 2008, a state-of-the-art bioscience and health research centre at UPEI was named the Regis and Joan Duffy Research Centre in honour of the well-known Island couple.  In 2010, Dr. Duffy was the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 Atlantic Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his commitment to the PEI business community and his substantial entrepreneurial achievements.

In addition to contributing to the province’s education and business sectors, Dr. Duffy has been active in his community, including serving as a member of the City of Charlottetown’s council and chair of its Finance Committee from 1989 to 1997.

Dr. Duffy is married to Joan Murphy of Elmira, Prince Edward Island.  They have three children and three grandchildren.