Five Faculty members to join national health sciences academy

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Posted June 3, 2010

By Aisling Gamble | Photos by Calvin Sun

Dr. Jon Meddings is one of five Faculty of Medicine members to be inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health SciencesAn unprecedented five members of the Faculty of Medicine have been invited to join the prestigious Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).  Dr. Marvin J. Friztler, Dr. William Ghali, Dr. Jon Meddings, V. Wee Yong, PhD, and Gerald Zamponi, PhD, will all be inducted into the Academy at the CAHS Annual General Meeting in Ottawa on September 30, 2010.

The CAHS recognizes individuals of great accomplishment and achievement in the academic health sciences in Canada. The Academy provides timely, informed and unbiased assessments of urgent issues affecting the health of Canadians. The five inductees represent some of the Faculty of Medicine's finest leaders and researchers. 

Dr. Jon Meddings  Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine: The former head of the Division of Gastroenterology here at the University of Calgary, and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Dr. Meddings’s research concentrates on celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and bowel permeability.  

Dr. Marvin J. Fritzler  Professor, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology: A professor of Medicine and Board of Directors chair of the  Alberta Research + Innovation Authority, Fritzler’s research focuses on the identification of novel autoantigens that are the targets of the immune response in a number of autoimmune diseases. His work has led to the development of new diagnostic assays and technologies for autoimmune diseases.

Dr. William (Bill) Ghali  Director, Calgary Institute for Population & Public Health:  Currently a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Ghali has been honoured with several awards and distinctions for his career achievements in research.  These include the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada Visiting Professorship in Medical Research, and a place on the Caldwell Partners Canada Top 40 under 40 list.

Gerald Zamponi, PhD.Gerald Zamponi, PhD  Professor and Department Head, Physiology & Pharmacology: Zamponi's major research activities focus on the biophysics, molecular biology, modulation, and pharmacology of calcium channels and their roles in neurological disorders. He holds over two dozen issued and pending patents concerning novel calcium channel blockers.

V. Wee Yong, PhD  Professor, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology: Yong’s research interests lie in the area of neuroimmunology, neuroprotection and central nervous system regeneration.  His scientific projects have been guided by three diseases; multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury and malignant gliomas.  His research has been translated into clinical trials in MS and spinal cord injury.  Yong co-directs the MS Program of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary.