UCalgary welcomes nation’s top scholars to annual Royal Society of Canada festivities

From Nov. 23 to 26, 2022, the University of Calgary was the host institution for the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) 2022 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement (COEE). The annual gathering is an opportunity for the RSC to celebrate achievements, discuss current global challenges, and welcome new RSC Fellows and College Members to the academy.

“It was an honour to host the RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement,” says Dr. Ed McCauley, president of the University of Calgary. “We were thrilled to welcome so many distinguished scholars to our city and to honour their contributions as thought leaders. We thank the RSC for selecting us as host institution for 2022.”

The COEE includes induction ceremonies for the newly selected RSC Fellows and Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Eight UCalgary scholars were inducted at the events: three new Fellows and two new College Members for 2022, as well as three scholars from previous years who had not yet been formally inducted.

UCalgary scholars inducted as new Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada:

• Dr. Penelope Farfan, PhD
• Dr. Mayank Goyal, MD, PhD
• Dr. Michael Hill, MD (2021)
• Dr. Hendrik Kraay, PhD
• Clem Martini, Professor (2020)

*Dr. Sasha Tsenkova, PhD, was also named a new Fellow in 2022, but was unable to attend the ceremony.

New members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists:

• Dr. Fiona Clement, PhD
• Dr. Melanie Noel, PhD, RPsych
• Dr. Catherine Lebel, PhD (2020)

‘Inspiring discussion’ at the RSC One Health Research Symposium

UCalgary also organized the COEE’s One Health Research Symposium, a day of lively presentations featuring some of Canada’s leading One Health experts.

“One Health is a dynamic area of research that encompasses a remarkable breadth of expertise,” says Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research). “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to bring together our UCalgary One Health leaders with top scholars from across the country to share inspiring discussion and presentations.”  

The symposium opened with a blessing by Elder Dr. Reg Crowshoe, followed by keynote presentations by Dr. David Waltner-Toews, PhD, of Guelph University and Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Research) for Indigenous Engagement. Their presentations provided an overview of One Health and its parallel paths with Indigenous knowledge.

The day continued with panel presentations and discussion on zoonotic diseases, climate change, and water for health. The symposium was emceed by Dr. Herman Barkema, PhD, professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and a leader of One Health at UCalgary.

“Together, we explored how we can work together to address human, animal, and ecosystem health,” says Ghali. “We are facing complex challenges that developed in deeply interconnected systems. Through a transdisciplinary One Health approach, we can create sustainable, collaborative solutions.”