Robarts scientists named CAHS Fellows
Four Robarts scientists were selected among the 77 new Fellows joining the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) in 2020.
After reviewing a record number of applications this year, the Academy’s fellowship committee named Marlys Koschinsky, PhD, Grace Parraga, PhD, Dr. Michael Rieder and Lisa Saksida, PhD, as CAHS Fellows.
The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellowship honours individuals who represent excellence in health sciences, demonstrating a strong commitment to their field of expertise through their life and work. CAHS Fellows are nominated by their peers and selected in a competitive process based on their internationally recognized leadership, academic performance, scientific creativity and willingness to serve.
“Our Fellows understand that being elected to the Academy carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future wellbeing of the health sciences, irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline,” said Dr. Paul Allison, CAHS President, in congratulating the new Fellows.
Marlys L. Koschinsky, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology. Her research expertise lies in cardiovascular disease and the study of related risk factors.
Grace Parraga, PhD, is a Professor and Graduate Chair in the Department of Medical Biophysics. As the Director of the APILab, Parraga leads pioneering research in advanced patient-based pulmonary imaging. Her research into understanding inflammatory airways disease has implications for millions living with conditions such as asthma or COPD. Parraga also co-chairs the Canadian Lung Association RENASCENT Training and Mentorship Committee, helping to create a national training framework for respiratory research training in Canada.
Dr. Michael Rieder, is the CIHR-GSK Chair in Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology at Western University,the only endowed chair in pediatric pharmacology in Canada. He is a Distinguished University Professor with the Departments of Paediatrics, Physiology and Pharmacology and Medicine. Leading the Drug Safety Laboratory, Dr. Rieder explores drug safety in children and contributes to the Canadian Pharmacogenomic Network for Drug Safety.
Lisa Saksida, PhD, is the Canada Research Chair in Translational Cognitive Neuroscience (Tier 1) and a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. She is the Co-Director of BrainsCAN, conducting research with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of cognition. She has also demonstrated academic leadership with an emphasis on initiatives to strengthen and improve the scholarly community, such as those to improve equity, diversity and inclusivity.
