A scientist whose work has been instrumental to breakthroughs in cancer research has been honoured with the Order of Canada.

Dr. Robert Korneluk is the first scientist at the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) to be appointed to the order.

He was welcomed for his contributions to immunotherapy research and diagnostic clinical service laboratories as a molecular geneticist.

Korneluk, from Ottawa, Ont., has worked at the CHEO research institute since 1985.

鈥淚鈥檓 very honoured and of course humbled to get this award,鈥� he told CTV Ottawa.

鈥淚t was given to me because of the work, but the work wasn鈥檛 a great hardship for me. I鈥檝e enjoyed all the years I鈥檝e been at CHEO. The stars have aligned for me and a lot of work has been done in this area.鈥�

The doctor praised his colleagues at CHEO for their contribution and said the best work was yet to come.

Clinical trials are underway in Ottawa because of the approach his team are taking in cancer immunotherapy.

鈥淧erhaps the greatest accomplishment would be related to being involved in that process and seeing this immunotherapy produce additional help in patients,鈥� he told CTV Ottawa.

鈥淚n the end we would want to bring this into kids' cancers and that would be a great accomplishment.鈥�

Korneluk celebrated another milestone on Thursday, his 49th wedding anniversary, and thanked his wife and family for their support.

Some 103 new appointments to the Order of Canada were announced today by the Gov. Gen. Julie Payette.

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country鈥檚 highest honours, second only to the Order of Merit.

Nearly 7,000 people from all walks of life have been invested into the order, whose Latin motto translates to 鈥淭hey desire a better country.鈥�

The full list of honorees can found .