Jehannine Austin, Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, Lara Boyd, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, and UBC President Santa Ono, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, have been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).
The 2017 fellows were welcomed at an induction ceremony held in Ottawa on September 14. Election to fellowship in the CAHS represents one of the highest honours for members of the Canadian health sciences community. The demonstrated leadership and distinctive competencies of these individuals have led to remarkable accomplishments and advancements in academic health sciences.
Dr. Jehannine Austin’s pioneering genetic counseling research – showing that genetic counseling has meaningful benefits for people with psychiatric disorders and their families – has been acknowledged with national and international awards. The impact of her research led to a Canadian innovation in health care; the founding of the award‐winning, world’s first, specialist psychiatric genetic counseling service. The activities of the service are influencing health services worldwide and provide a deeply meaningful understanding for patients and their families.
Dr. Lara Boyd is recognized internationally as a leader in the neurobiology of motor learning. Her research has developed new understandings of how the brain adapts to neurological disease and she has developed novel methods to harness brain recovery after injury and disease. She has demonstrated a long commitment to advance health sciences through her role as the University Health Research Advisor, as well as several senior roles where her efforts have led to the advancement of women in science.
Dr. Santa Ono is a Professor and 15th President and Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. He is a world-leading expert on ocular diseases. His seminal studies of the immune system and inflammation have defined mechanisms underlying age-related macular degeneration and other ocular diseases, and his translational discoveries contributed to early detection and treatment for the diseases. He has also made significant contributions to leading and reforming world-class education and research system as a leader of top-ranked universities and research institutions in USA and Canada.