Awards and recognition

April 2023

Congratulations to the聽GCI's #Bravo2023 laureates, Professors Lawrence Kazak, Morag Park and Nahum Sonenberg!聽The Office of the Vice-Principal Research + Innovation congratulates 捆绑SM社区's faculty members and researchers who have recently been awarded external prizes for outstanding research. To read more, click here.
14 School of Biomedical Sciences members are recipients of聽Learner and Faculty Awards for Teaching Innovation.聽The awards, part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences鈥� (FMHS) ongoing Proud to Teach campaign, aim to recognize innovative teaching strategies that are learning and learner-focused.聽Click here聽for more info.

November 2022

GCI Professor Lawrence Kazak awarded the prestigious HelDi Award!

Each year, the Helmholtz Young Investigator in Diabetes (HelDi) Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of two young scientists in the field of diabetes research. We are proud to announce that GCI Prof. Lawrence Kazak is a recipient of this year鈥檚 2022 HelDi Award! Congratulations!

2014

Dr. Julie St-Pierre was successful in being promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, June 1, 2014.

Dr. Arnim Pause was promoted to Associate Professor and Full Professor, June 1, 2014.
Over $3.7M awarded to 捆绑SM社区 researchers studying neurodevelopmental disorders -
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces funding from Government of Canada, The Azrieli Foundation and Brain Canada.
Internationally renowned 捆绑SM社区 researchers Alan Evans and Nahum Sonenberg are among the recipients of new funding for research into neurological disorders announced May 1, 2014 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at an event in Montreal. Dr. Evans and Dr. Sonenberg will receive over $3.7 million from the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program, funded by The Azrieli Foundation, the Brain Canada Foundation and the Government of Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund. The Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program focuses on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and fragile-x syndrome (FXS), with a goal to develop new diagnostics, treatment and prevention strategies for these disorders. Congratulations to Dr. Sonenberg! See [2014 May 1]
Dr. Julie St-Pierre is the 2014 recipient of the Maude Abbott prize, established in 2010. Congratulations! Please see [2014 Apr 16]
Congratulations to Dr. Nahum Sonenberg for having been awarded the most prestigious 2014 Wolf Prize for Medicine. Nahum was selected for his discovery of the proteins that control the mechanism of protein synthesis and its control in infectious diseases, cancer and neurological disorders. The award was presented at a state ceremony in the Knesset in May in the presence of Israeli President Shimon Peres. Please see ; [2014 Jan 17]

2013

Dr. Nahum Sonenberg has been awarded The Royal Society of Canada鈥檚 most prestigious gold plated silver. is the senior national academy of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and scientists. The McLaughlin Medal honors sustained excellence in medical science. We are delighted that Nahum鈥檚 work on the control of protein synthesis in cancer, autism, learning and memory and microRNA function has been awarded this prestigious honor. Heartiest congratulations! Well deserved. [2013 Sept 6]
Uri David Akavia, new Assistant Professor, start date August 1, 2013.
Drs. Jos茅e Dostie and Joe Teodoro were successful in being promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, June 1, 2013.
Dr. Albert Berghuis, has been appointed Interim Chair, Department of Biochemistry, May 15, 2013.
Dr. Philip Awadalla from the University of Montreal, was appointed an Adjunct member in our department, May 1, 2013.
Drs. Imed Gallouzi, Elisa Izaurralde and Georg Stoecklin are among the best specialists in the metabolism RNA and spoke at the fifth international conference on the subject held in Illkirch. [Article attached, 2013 Apr 26] embo-igbmc_alsace_260413_2.pdf
Dr. Michel Tremblay has been awarded the Canadian Cancer Society鈥檚 2012 Robert L. Noble Award. The Robert L. Noble Prize is given for outstanding achievements in cancer research. It honours Dr Noble, an esteemed Canadian investigator whose research in the 1950s led to the discovery of vincristine, a widely-used anti-cancer drug. At the time, vincristine was one of the most effective treatments available for Hodgkin鈥檚 disease. Congratulations to Michel, a great achievement for 捆绑SM社区. [2013 Apr 2]
Dr. Imed Gallouzi was promoted to Full Professor, April 1, 2013.
Dr. Sidong Huang, new Assistant Professor, start date January 1, 2013.

2012

Dr. Michel Tremblay has been awarded the Canadian Cancer Society鈥檚 2012 Robert L. Noble Award. The Robert L. Noble Prize is given for outstanding achievements in cancer research. It honours Dr Noble, an esteemed Canadian investigator whose research in the 1950s led to the discovery of vincristine, a widely-used anti-cancer drug. At the time, vincristine was one of the most effective treatments available for Hodgkin鈥檚 disease. [2013 Apr 2]
Dr. Thomas Duchaine was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, June 1, 2012.
Dr. Edward Fon from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Dr. Gergely Lukacs from the Department of Physiology, were appointed Associate members in our department, July 1, 2012.

2011

Dr. Philippe Gros - Foundation of Stars, 2011 Prize for Scientific Career Achievements; Canadian Gene Cure Foundation, 2011; Champions of Genetics Prize
Dr. R. McInnes. - A Champion of Genetics, The Canadian Gene Cure Foundation; The Alcon/ARVO Keynote Speaker, Opening Session, Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Dr. Michel Tremblay - Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Dr. Maria Zannis-Hadjopoulos - Member (elected), MAUT Council; Assessor for 捆绑SM社区 (nominated), Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law (for the period of 2010-2013); Member (MAUT Representative), Advisory Committee to Recommend on the Principal鈥檚 Awards for Administrative and Support Staff ; Member (MAUT Representative), 捆绑SM社区 Centraide Campaign Committee; Committee Member, CIHR China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative - Grants Program
Associate Member, Jacques Genest - Margolese National Brain and Heart Disorders Prize (Inaugural) U British Columbia; Elected Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS); 捆绑SM社区-Novartis Chair in Medicine, Department of Medicine, 捆绑SM社区 (2010-15)
Associate Member, Dr. Youla Tsantrizos - Promotion to Full Professor; Fessenden Professorship Award in Science Innovation
The Biochemical Society, U.K. introduced a new award in 2011, to celebrate its first 100 years, which will be awarded annually. The first Centenary Award winner is our colleague, Dr. Nahum Sonenberg.
Nahum will present the Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins Memorial Lecture, which will be published in at the on December 15, 2011. This is an award of high distinction!!
Dr. Anne-Claude Gingras, Principal Investigator, Scientist, Mount Sinai Hospital and former graduate student from Dr. Sonenberg's lab, has been awarded . One of only a handful of scientists to be included among the list of Canada's leading women in their fields. She is renowned for her studies of protein interactions that play a role in the development of cancer, drug resistance and immunity. Congratulations on her incredible success. 2011 Dec. 1.
Dr. P.E. Branton - Member, Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada; The Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA)announced the recipients of its inaugural awards, which recognize contributions to cancer research in Canada. Dr. Philip E. Branton received the award for Exceptional Leadership in Cancer Research for his outstanding contributions to the development of the cancer research community and inter-agency research collaboration in Canada through the founding of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance. Congratulations on this award, read more in
Dr. Nahum Sonenberg - Canadian Institutes of Health Research 2009 Health Researcher of the Year Award in Biomedical and Clinical Research; Officer of the Order of Canada, 2010. Congratulations to our Biochemistry Department colleague Professor Nahum Sonenberg, who has received the 41st Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Science, "for his transformative studies of the control of protein synthesis in mammalian cells". His research on the mechanism and control of protein synthesis has had and continues to have, a huge impact on our understanding of many fundamental biological processes underlying diabetes, cancer, viral infection, immunology, and memory. 2011 Oct. 26.
The Symposium to celebrate the opening of the Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Centre (CFTRc) on October 17, 2011, was very successful. The goal of the CFTRc is to 铿乶d a cure for cystic 铿乥rosis. The CFTRc provides a platform for basic CF research and the development of therapies targeting the basic defect that underlies Cystic Fibrosis and other protein traf铿乧king diseases. It has been established with the support the successful CFI 6 application (The 捆绑SM社区 Life Sciences Complex (MULSC): 鈥淒isease to therapy initiative鈥�, total value $26.5M, that paid for renovations and new equipment) and is located in the McIntyre Medical Sciences building. It is part of a larger 捆绑SM社区 initiative on orphan and neglected diseases.
Operating support for CFTRc projects has been provided by the CIHR, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (USA), GenomeQuebec, and by contracts and collaborations with pharmaceutical companies.
Thanks to funding from the E. Mackenzie Harpur Paediatric Fund and the BREATHE (RESPIRE) program of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, we have established a network of clinical collaborators in Quebec and the infrastructure needed to study airway cells obtained during lung transplantation and other procedures in the search for an effective therapy.
We expect the centre to grow as resources become available. Current members include; John Hanrahan, (founding Director); Gergely Lukacs; David Thomas; Jason Young; Michael Hallett; Simon Rousseau; Larry Lands; Dao Nguyen; Yves Berthiaume (CHUM- Hotel Dieu); Andre Cantin (CHUS- Fleurimont); Raymond Andersen (Dept. Chemistry, UBC).
Congratulations to Mathieu Flamand, from Dr. Thomas Duchaine鈥檚 lab, on being one of the top Ph.D. recipients of a Vanier Scholarship at 捆绑SM社区. This scholarship is administered by Canada鈥檚 three federal granting agencies: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This prestigious award aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies and leadership skills. Another recipient, Long Nguyen, a former undergraduate in Biochemistry who worked in Dr. Kalle Gehring鈥檚 lab, won a Vanier Scholarship through the University of British Columbia. This award is a major accomplishment and Mathieu Flamand and Long Nguyen are to be congratulated for their excellent work. 2011 May 26
Christine Laberge, Students Affairs Officer (Graduate Program/ Undergraduate Program Advisor), has won the 2009-2010 捆绑SM社区 Award for Excellence in Service to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. This award recognizes all the qualities of dedication, service, patience, help and professionalism that we know so well. Congratulations to Christine! 2011 Jan. 28
The CIHR-Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) has selected Dr. T. Martin Schmeing as its first laureate for the Bhagirath Singh Early Career Award in Infection and Immunity. This award was established to honour the outstanding work of III鈥檚 inaugural Scientific Director, . To recognize the excellence of research being done in Canada, this prize is awarded annually to a new investigator in the field of Infection and Immunity. His research project entitled, Structural and Function Studies of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases, was highly ranked in the 2010 March competition, and proved to be the highest among both Open competitions of the year 2010 for new investigators. The project is very innovative and has the potential to find novel ways to synthesize new bio-active molecules that may impact infectious and immunological diseases. 2011 Feb. 22

2009-2010

Dr. Nahum Sonenberg (Officer), is one of 74 recipients of the Order of Canada as announced by Governor-General Micha毛lle Jean, which includes 13 honorees who have close ties to the University.
聽06 July 2010
Dr. Nahum Sonenberg has been named the聽聽by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for his pioneering study and analysis of translation control mechanisms, the process by which the genetic information stored in our DNA is turned into proteins. His research has opened the door to new treatments for diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Congratulatons for winning this prestigious award.
Dr. Jason Young was successful in being promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.
Dr. Martin Schmeing was appointed assistant professor in Biochemistry.
Drs. Robert MacKenzie, Walter Mushynski and Rhoda Blostein retired and were appointment Professor Emeriti.
Dr. Roderick McInnes was appointed a Professor in Biochemistry jointly with the Department of Human Genetics.
Magdalena Korczynska from the Berghuis Lab was awarded the聽, at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Crystallographic Association, Toronto.
In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Rose Johnstone: 1928-2009 - Our esteemed colleague, Dr. Rose Mamelak Johnstone, PhD FRSC, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2009. Rose was the Chair of the Department of Biochemistry from 1980-1990. She will be greatly missed by all 鈥� for her research, her teaching, her feisty disposition, and her warm heart.

2008-2009

In Memoriam: Professor Annette Herscovics: 1938-2008 - Our colleague Dr. Annette Herscovics of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Center and the Department of Biochemistry, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Dr. Herscovics was a pioneer in the field of glycobiology, which involves the study of sugars, or glycans, and their role in biology and medicine. We all knew Annette for her indomitable human spirit and courage, and also of course as a colleague who made enormous contributions to the science of glycobiology
In Memoriam: Professor Angus Frederick Graham: 1916-2008 - Professor Angus Graham, M.A.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.S.C., former Chair of the Department of Biochemistry - 1970-1980, passed away Monday, August 4, 2008. Angus is fondly remembered as a remarkable character and charismatic leader of the Department, with many research achievements in virology.
Dr. Gregory Miller from the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics was made an associate member in our department.
Dr. Julie St-Pierre was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, and the Department of Oncology.
Dr. Janusz Rak from the Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute was made an associate member in our department.
Dr. Nicole Beauchemin was nominated by the Quebec Division of the Canadian Cancer Society for a prize from the NCIC for scientists鈥� best communicating the Public (the competition was cancelled later by the NCIC).
Dr. Philip Branton - Named Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Terry Fox Research Institute.
Dr. Jos茅e Dostie received the TFF Equipment Grant for New Investigators.
Dr. Philippe Gros, one of three 捆绑SM社区 professors, to win the most prestigious 2009 $100,000 Killam Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts in May 2009 - Canada's most important award for career contributions to research. See聽.
Dr. Maria Zannis-Hadjopoulos - Member (elected), MAUT Council Senator (elected representative for the Faculty of Medicine), 捆绑SM社区 Senate Member (elected representative for the Faculty of Medicine), and Senate Nominating Committee, 捆绑SM社区.
Dr. Jacques Genest - Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and he received the Sharron Axler Feifer Award of Excellence, Fondation des Maladies du Coeur du Quebec.
Dr. Michael Hallett received the Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Germany.
Dr. Maya Saleh 鈥� The Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Investigator in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
Dana Bailey Nyholt (Dr. Jacques Genest鈥檚 lab) was one of the eleven top Ph.D. recipients of a Vanier Scholarship. This prestigious award is given to pursue studies at the doctoral level in a wide variety of disciplines that span health sciences, the arts, education and the physical sciences. Dana's research focuses on the application of the molecular understanding of high-density lipoprotein biogenesis to provide surrogate endpoints for use in an atherosclerosis therapy study. This award is a major accomplishment and demonstrates a high standard of scholarly achievement.聽

2007-2008

Both Dr. Jos茅e Dostie and Dr. Jose Teodoro received the Canadian Foundation for Innovation - Leaders Opportunity Fund
Dr. Michel Tremblay was named Personality of the Week: La Presse and also for Discovery of the Year: Quebec Science
Dr. Thomas Duchaine - Discovery of the Year: Quebec Science (with Dr. Sonenberg)
Dr. Nahum Sonenberg has won the聽聽for his "pioneering discoveries in cellular translation of genetic information".
Dr. Peter Braun was one of three 捆绑SM社区 recipients of the CAME Certificate of Merit Award for Medical Teaching.
Dr. Marie-Eve Bordeleau (Dr. Pelletier's lab) was awarded the Gordon A. Maclachlan Prize. This prize is given to an outstanding 捆绑SM社区 graduate receiving a graduate degree in 2007-2008 in any discipline of the Biological and Health Sciences, in recognition of her exemplary academic record, excellence of the thesis and the significance of the research.聽

2006-2007

Dr. Maria Zannis-Hadjopoulos was elected Council Member on MAUT (捆绑SM社区 Association of University Teachers), 捆绑SM社区 Senate.
Dr. Maya Saleh received the Canadian Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Award and also the Dr. Phil Gold Award.
Dr. Maria Ferraiuolo (graduate student from Dr. Sonenberg's lab) has been awarded the Gordon A. Maclachlan Prize. This prize is given to an outstanding 捆绑SM社区 graduate receiving a graduate degree in 2006-2007 in any discipline of the Biological and Health Sciences, in recognition of her exemplary academic record, excellence of the thesis and the significance of the research.
Dr. Sonenberg received the 2007 Katharine Berkan Judd Award Lectureship from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Nahum Sonenberg has been chosen to receive the 2007 Roche Diagnostics Award from the Canadian Society of Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology, which recognizes outstanding achievement in research in one or more of the fields of biochemistry, molecular or cellular biology undertaken in Canada by a Canadian Scientist.
Dr. Nicole Beauchemin was named to the Faculty Honour List for Educational Excellence in recognition of her contributions to teaching in the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Tarik M枚r枚y and Dr. Alex Therien were appointed adjunct members.
Dr. Reza Salavati from the Institute of Parasitology and 捆绑SM社区 Centre for Bioinformatics was made an associate member of our department.
Dr. Jose Teodoro was appointed assistant professor in Biochemistry and the 捆绑SM社区 Cancer Centre.
Dr. Jos茅e Dostie was appointed assistant professor in Biochemistry.
Dr. Martin Latterich and Dr. Anny Fortin were appointed adjunct members.
Dr. Robert Scott Kiss from the 捆绑SM社区 Hospital Centre was made an associate member of our Department.
Dr. Matthias G枚tte from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology was made an associate member of our Department.
Dr. Thomas Duchaine was appointed assistant professor in the 捆绑SM社区 Cancer Centre and the Department of Biochemistry.
Drs. Nahum Sonenberg and Erin Schurr, an associate member, 捆绑SM社区 researchers have been named Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) International Research Scholars in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in biomedicine.
Dr. Michel Tremblay has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. Xiang-Jiao Yang was Guest Editor - a special issue of Oncogene on Cancer Genetics and Epipenetics
Dr. Charles Scriver - D.Sc. (Hon), University of Western Ontario