Terrance Malkinson

Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology '01
Information Technology Professional '99
Pioneer in applied research and accomplished multi-sport endurance athlete

Early most mornings, 75-year-old Terrance Malkinson hops on his bike to knock out a quick 100 kilometres. "When I'm riding, I have my most creative thoughts,” he says. “It's just me, my heart and my brain.”

For seven decades, his brain's ability to hyperfocus, his introverted nature and his attention to detail have served Malkinson well. Twelve- to fourteen-hour-long days in University of Calgary laboratories translated into a prolific, lifelong career in medical research and investigative journalism with more than 600 highly cited peer-reviewed publications in applied medicine, engineering, management, and health and wellness.

"Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I learned hard work was a way to show respect to the people in my life who mentored me and encouraged me to reach my potential," says Malkinson, who also earned a Bachelor of Science from UCalgary in 1971. "I wanted to live a life that did credit to them."

After retiring in 2011, his drive to discover took a new, more personal direction. Malkinson began testing his limits as a participant in outdoor expeditions with Outward Bound Canada and full-distance Ironman triathlons. His research focus also shifted — toward the health benefits of cycling and neuroscience.

Through that research, Malkinson realized his extreme shyness could actually be part of a recently categorized type of autism spectrum disorder. When a physician confirmed his suspicion, it changed everything.

"There was an entire dimension to my life that affected my personality and relationships with others that was unknown to me," Malkinson says. That knowledge was powerful. So was the decision to share his very personal discovery with the world.

"Filming a video for Autism Calgary was huge, and a kind of a coming-out moment for me. I had never shared these feelings with anybody, and it was a relief to tell people what I'm like and why. My whole life changed, and the video has helped many others understand themselves."

Malkinson says that personal discovery, combined with what he calls the therapy of his athletic endeavours, has given him new confidence and pushed him to become more extroverted.

"Length of life doesn't really mean that much; quality of life is more important," he says. "This recognition from SAIT feels like a lifetime achievement award — an acknowledgement that my contributions have made a difference to others and that I have made the world a little better than I found it.”