Dr. Mark Wainberg, a leading Canadian AIDS researcher was awarded France's highest honour. He was named a Chevalier, or knight, of the Legion d'honneur for his work fighting the spread of AIDS and HIV. Wainberg founded McGill University's AIDS Centre in 1984 and co-chaired the International AIDS conference that year. He also chairs an advisory committee for France's national AIDS program. Along with his AIDS research, Wainberg was cited for improving ties between France and Canada. It should be noted that the Legion d'honneur was first awarded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.