Five leading researchers at the University of Alberta have joined the esteemed ranks of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of their outstanding contributions to addressing urgent health challenges
“I am pleased to see this recognition for five of our university’s most prolific researchers, accomplished leaders and valued mentors,” says Aminah Robinson Fayek, U of A vice-president of research. “Through their innovations and influential research, they are shaping health policy and improving practice in ways that will continue to have a profound impact on the health of Canadians.”
Dr. Sofia Ahmed, professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, academic lead with the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute and the University of Alberta Chair in Sex and Gender, is an internationally recognized clinician-scientist whose work has advanced understanding of sex and gender differences in health and disease, transforming research, clinical care and policy. Through groundbreaking contributions in cardiovascular and kidney health, she has helped establish sex and gender as essential considerations in health research and practice. A leader in national and global initiatives, she has shaped training, guidelines and research standards that promote more equitable and inclusive health care.
Dr. Valerie Carson, professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Movement Behaviours and Child Health, is a global leader in the study of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in the early years. She has published more than 240 peer-reviewed papers and consistently ranks among the world’s most highly cited researchers in her field. Her research has had a significant influence on both the practice and policy of promoting healthy behaviour among youth to improve their lifelong health.
Dr. Margie Davenport, professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, has transformed our understanding of how physical activity during and after <a href="https://lumeamara.online/?p=5877" title="Mum says painful condition 'overlooked' during pregnancy“>pregnancy affects the lifelong health of two generations. Her world-leading work has revolutionized perinatal care by showing the powerful preventative impact of physical activity in significantly reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, while improving maternal and fetal health. Her findings have informed guidelines and policies, guided clinical practice and empowered pregnant women in Canada and worldwide to get or remain active throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Dr. Georg Schmolzer is a clinician-scientist and professor in the departments of pediatrics, pharmacology and physiology within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. He is director of the Centre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation and founder of the Neonatal Outcomes & Accelerating Clinical Trials Network of Canada. His research on neonatal resuscitation and respiratory care has led to practice changes that benefit infants in Canada and around the world. He is also passionate about supporting early-career researchers in the field.
Dr. Gino Fallone, professor of oncology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, has fundamentally transformed image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy. Over four decades, he has pioneered technologies that are now central to modern cancer care, including inverse treatment planning, frameless stereotactic radiosurgery, MRI-based radiotherapy simulation, and the world’s first integrated linear accelerator–MRI system. His innovations have enabled real-time visualization, tracking of tumour motion and adaptive radiation delivery, substantially improving precision, safety and clinical outcomes. Through his visionary leadership, prolific scholarship and training of generations of clinical scientists, he has reshaped radiation oncology in Canada and worldwide.
The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellowship is one of the highest honours within Canada’s health sciences community. Elected fellows are health and biomedical science leaders who have achieved national and international recognition for their contributions, with a demonstrated record of exceptional accomplishments and impact in their field
