Jeremy Grimshaw was among those honoured on Saturday, he for career achievement in epidemiology.
"I think in general we all like to have a pat on the back every now and again," he said.
"In general, research is not something where you get lots of pats on the back. You work over a long period of time, on a project that might take five years."
The event also raised money for the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, which is affiliated with the University of Ottawa.