Royal Society of Canada

Eugenia Kumacheva awarded Henry Marshall Tory Medal by Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:41:47 +0000

Eugenia Kumacheva awarded Henry Marshall Tory Medal by Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/12/2023 - 17:41

Faculty

St. George

Department of Chemistry

Faculty of Arts & Science

Royal Society of Canada

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Eugenia Kumacheva (supplied image)

University Professor and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry Eugenia Kumacheva of the Faculty of Arts & Science at the UUֱ�� has been awarded the Henry Marshall Tory Medal by the Royal Society of Canada.

The medal is presented every two years "for outstanding research in a branch of astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or an allied science.” It is named in honour of mathematician Henry Marshall Tory, who was the first president of the University of Alberta, the National Research Council of Canada, and Carleton College (later Carleton University).

Kumacheva’s remarkably diverse research explores the field of “soft matter” or polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, hydrogels and living matter. She has designed and developed soft materials for use in an extraordinarily broad range of areas, including telecommunications, security, data storage, drug delivery, anti-cancer therapies and tissue engineering.

A native of Ukraine, Kumacheva’s stellar career is notable for the number of areas in which she has made major contributions, including chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering. Her many prior awards include: the Order of Canada, the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science, the International Chorafas Foundation Award in Physics and Engineering; the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Research Award; the de Gennes Prize; and the Guggenheim Fellowship.

"I am delighted to be a recipient of this award not only because this is the recognition of my research accomplishments, but also because Henry Marshall Tory was an outstanding person,” Kumacheva says. “The legacy that he left was well beyond being a distinguished scientist. His commitment to spreading scientific knowledge and international goodwill had a huge impact on the state of science and education in Canada."

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Henry Marshall Tory Medal

Elaine Cagulada awarded Alice Wilson medal by Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 20:01:18 +0000

Elaine Cagulada awarded Alice Wilson medal by Royal Society of Canada

Academic Achievement

lanthierj Tue, 09/12/2023 - 16:01

Royal Society of Canada

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(Photo courtesy of Kylie Thompson Creative)

UUֱ�� alumna Elaine Cagulada, who teaches and researches disability studies and its intersectionalities, is among the 2023 recipients of the Alice Wilson medal from the Royal Society of Canada.

Awarded nationally to three women of outstanding academic qualifications at the postdoctoral level, the Wilson award’s recipients are chosen from the current year’s female winners of postdoctoral fellowships from the three granting councils: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Cagulada, who earned her doctorate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at UUֱ�� earlier this year, is now a SSHRC postdoctoral fellow in the department of gender studies at Queen's University.

“Being awarded the Alice Wilson medal means receiving institutional recognition for my research in the fields of disability studies, Black studies and sociology,” says Cagulada, whose doctoral research explored the intersectionality of Deafness, disability, race and policing.

After reading about the medal and the barriers that Wilson faced as a woman in geology, paleontology, and academia, Cagulada says she deeply appreciates receiving the award named for the scholar.

“From what I can understand, being granted a Royal Society of Canada medal in Alice Wilson’s name suggests being recognized for pursuing wonder, curiosity and transformative change amid the entwined objectifying forces of ableism, racial capitalism, and colonial hetero-patriarchy – forces of which Wilson seemed aware,” she says.

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Tomas Jirousek awarded Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize by Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:24:07 +0000

Tomas Jirousek awarded Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize by Royal Society of Canada

Academic Achievement

lanthierj Tue, 09/12/2023 - 13:24

Royal Society of Canada

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Tomas Jirousek (supplied image)

UUֱ�� alumnus Tomas Jirousek has been awarded the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize for 2023.

The RSC awards 24 prizes to a graduating student in each of Canada’s law schools, who will significantly impact equity and social justice in Canada or globally. Each recipient receives $1,000.

Established by the RSC in 2022, the prize honours Abella, a retired Supreme Court of Canada justice and changemaker celebrated for her visionary intellectual contributions and commitment to building equality and equity. Abella is a graduate of UUֱ��’s University College and Faculty of Law.

Jirousek, who graduated from the Faculty of Law’s juris doctor (JD) program this past spring, was a coordinator of the Indigenous Human Rights Program, served as senior editor of the Indigenous Law Journal, and was co-president of both the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) and Out in Law, an association for 2SLGBTQIA+ law students. Jirousek is currently a clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

Founded in 1882, RSC comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences, and The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The RSC recognizes excellence, advises the government and the larger society, and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world.

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Steven Narod awarded McLaughlin Medal by Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:48:03 +0000

Steven Narod awarded McLaughlin Medal by Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/12/2023 - 11:48

Faculty

St. George

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

McLaughlin Medal

Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Women's College Hospital

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Steven Narod (supplied image)

Steven Narod, a senior scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Temerty Faculty of medicine at the UUֱ��, has been awarded the 2023 McLaughlin Medal by the Royal Society of Canada.

The award recognizes important research of sustained excellence in any branch of medical sciences.

Narod, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Breast Cancer, is renowned for his research on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, that when mutated, substantially increase a woman’s lifetime risk of breast or ovarian cancer. His current research focuses on the efficacy of treatment options for women with BRCA1 mutations and breast cancer.

Narod’s research into hereditary breast cancer began at the International Agency in Research in Cancer in Lyon, France, in 1987 and continued upon his return to Canada in 1990, first at McGill University and then, starting in 1995, at UUֱ��. Narod is credited as a co-discoverer of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and has studied the distribution of mutations worldwide since their discoveries. He says that one of his earliest proud moments was his major paper linking hereditary breast cancer susceptibility to hereditary ovarian cancer susceptibility.

“It’s nice to know that the work is really having impact,” he says, adding he’s motivated by the community of researchers and his drive to find answers. “I enjoy working with my students and my fellows. I enjoy being part of an active community here at the UUֱ��. I like hearing the work that others do and seeing the success of younger colleagues.

“The ultimate goal is I’d like to see an effective treatment for hereditary breast cancer.”

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Six UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

lanthierj — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:16:47 +0000

Six UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/05/2023 - 15:16

Faculty

Mississauga

St. George

David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

Department of Family and Community Medicine

Department of Physics

Department of Political Science

Department of Psychology

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

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Six faculty members at the UUֱ�� – renowned for their pathbreaking leadership in a wide range of disciplines – have been appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

“From scientific advances in astrophysics, atmospheric physics and social psychology to timely leadership in climate governance, computer security and privacy, and sexually transmitted infection prevention, these scholars and scientists are making an impact on issues that affect the lives of people across Canada and around the world,” says Leah Cowen, UUֱ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“The UUֱ�� congratulates them on this significant recognition.”

The new college members are:

Jo Bovy of the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Ann Burchell of Unity Health and the department of family and community medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Jessica Green of the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Nicolas Papernot of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Nicholas Rule of the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science; vice-principal academic and dean, UUֱ�� Mississauga
Debra Wunch of the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science

Each faculty member receives a seven-year membership in the college, which recognizes and supports academic leadership and collaboration among those who have received their PhDs within the last 15 years.

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Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

lanthierj — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:44:16 +0000

Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Fri, 09/16/2022 - 10:44

Faculty

Alumni

St. George

Royal Society of Canada

Alice Wilson Award

Willet G. Miller Medal

McLaughlin Medal

Faculty of Arts & Science

Department of Physics

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

UHN

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Yimu Zhao, Kimberly Strong and John Dick

Two UUֱ�� faculty members – atmospheric physicist Kimberly Strong and molecular geneticist John Dick – and Engineering alumna Yimu Zhao have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada for their outstanding achievements in advancing knowledge.

Strong, who is the chair of the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of physics and a leading authority in global atmospheric research, received the prestigious 2022 Willet G. Miller Medal for outstanding research in a branch of the Earth sciences.

“As an atmospheric physicist, Kim Strong has established a national and international reputation for research excellence,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Employing an array of experimental techniques to probe the composition of the atmosphere, she is unraveling the chemical and physical processes that are driving atmospheric change. It is my great pleasure to congratulate her on this important and well-deserved honour.”

A renowned stem cell biologist, Dick is a University Professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network. He received the McLaughlin Medal for important research of sustained excellence in medical science. Earlier this year, he received a Gairdner International Award for the discovery of leukemic stem cells and later work on the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Zhao, who earned her PhD studying with Professor Milica Radisic of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and conducted post-doctoral studies with the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network and Columbia University, received the Alice Wilson Award.

Strong said she was delighted to be recognized but emphasized the “highly collaborative” nature of her research.

“When I think of all of my graduate students, postdocs and other group members over the years, this award is a reflection of their cumulative accomplishment.”

Read about the RSC award winners

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Nine UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

mattimar — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:53:40 +0000

Nine UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Research & Innovation

mattimar Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:53

Faculty

St. George

Scarborough

Royal Society of Canada

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

OISE

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

landscape

Nine faculty members at the UUֱ�� – experts in political science, education, Indigenous mental health, health policy, cosmology, critical race theory, biomedical engineering and biomedicine – have been appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

“These scholars and scientists are making a tremendous impact in their respective fields – transforming our understanding of such significant challenges as infectious diseases, anti-racism in sport or Indigenous mental health,” said Leah Cowen, vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives at UUֱ��. “The UUֱ�� congratulates them on this important recognition.”

The new college members are:

Aisha Ahmad, of the department of political science at UUֱ�� Scarborough
Jeffrey Ansloos, of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Yvonne Bombard, of the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Benjamin Haibe-Kains, of the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Renée Hložek, of the David. A Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Janelle Joseph, of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
Sharmistha Mishra, of the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Ervin Sejdić, of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Duminda Wijeysundera, of the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Each appointee receives a seven-year membership in the college, which recognizes and supports academic leadership and collaboration among those who have received their PhDs within the last 15 years.

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11 UUֱ�� faculty named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:45:02 +0000

11 UUֱ�� faculty named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:45

Faculty

St. George

Royal Society of Canada

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Arts & Science

Hospital for Sick Children

St. Michael's Hospital

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

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Eleven faculty from across the UUֱ�� have been appointed Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada – a recognition awarded to the country’s most distinguished scholars, artists and scientists.

“These remarkable researchers from an array of disciplines have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields, helping to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” says Leah Cowen, UUֱ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“The UUֱ�� congratulates them on this important recognition of their research, leadership and impact.”

The new Fellows are:

Laurent Brochard, of the interdepartmental division of critical care in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital
Miriam Diamond, of the department of earth sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Joel Kamnitzer, of the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Yong Baek Kim, of the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
David Malkin, of the department of paediatrics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Steven Miller, formerly of the department of paediatrics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Ue-Li Pen, of the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Ito Peng, of the department of sociology in the Faculty of Arts & Science
David Sinton, of the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Janet Smylie, of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and St. Michael’s Hospital
Igor Stagljar, of the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine

They join 405 members of the UUֱ�� community who currently hold the designation.

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Jo Bovy receives Rutherford Memorial Medal from Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:29:34 +0000

Jo Bovy receives Rutherford Memorial Medal from Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:29

Faculty

St. George

Royal Society of Canada

Rutherford Memorial Medal

Faculty of Arts & Science

David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

landscape

(Photo by Diana Tyszko)

The UUֱ��’s Jo Bovy has received the Rutherford Memorial Medal from the Royal Society of Canada which honours researchers in chemistry or physics in the early stages of their career.

An associate professor in the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Bovy was recognized for his work advancing how we investigate the fundamental nature of the Milky Way galaxy.

“While I work in an astronomy department and largely do research in astrophysics, one of the main motivations for my work is to expand our knowledge of fundamental physics – and in particular, of dark matter – using astrophysical observations,” Bovy said. “So it's very satisfying to receive an award from the physics community.”

Professor Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, said Bovy’s award was well deserved.

“The medal recognizes early-career researchers who have produced outstanding results, and his analytical methods and insights into our galaxy have been exceptional.”

A Canada Research Chair in Galactic Astrophysics, Bovy is also the recipient of the Price Prize (2010), a Sloan Research Fellowship (2016), the Vera Rubin Early Career Prize (2019) and the Helen B. Warner Prize (2019).

“Jo Bovy’s work is helping us better understand the small-scale distribution of dark matter in galaxies,” said Leah Cowen, UUֱ��’s associate vice-president, research. “The university congratulates him on this important recognition of his achievements.”

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Five UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

lanthierj — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:33:55 +0000

Five UUֱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/07/2021 - 16:33

Faculty

St. George

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Arts & Science

Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Women in STEM

landscape

Clockwise from left: Andrea Tricco, Karim Mekhail, Wendy Wong, Ana Andreazza and Laura Rosella (photo courtesy Andrea Tricco, photo courtesy Karim Mekhail, photo courtesy Munk School of Global Affairs, photo by Perry King, photo by Caitlin Free)

Five faculty members at the UUֱ�� – experts in data science, epidemiology, mood disorders, political science and genomics – have been appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

“These researchers are transforming our understanding of a wide range of fields – and making significant contributions in areas from human rights to health care,” said Professor Leah Cowen, UUֱ��'s associate vice-president, research.

“The UUֱ�� congratulates them on this important recognition of their impact.”

The new college members are:

Each appointee receives a seven-year membership in the college, which recognizes and supports academic leadership and collaboration among those who have received their PhDs within the last 15 years.

Wong said she was “excited to learn from colleagues in different fields and at different universities throughout Canada to gain insights into how we can use our research,” to tackle global problems.

“Many of the most pressing and interesting questions before us require interdisciplinary collaboration to solve,” Wong said. “Things like the datafication of human life, or global warming, or human rights are all challenges that cannot be resolved through one approach.”

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