Five U of T faculty named to Royal Society college

Five University of Toronto researchers are among the 2015 inductees to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada.

Established last year, this fourth and most recent division of the 133-year-old RSC is intended to recognize high achievement, and especially interdisciplinary work, by Canadians and permanent residents at an early stage of their career.

“The surest measure of a great university is the emergence of brilliant young artists, researchers and scholars to build on the work of distinguished senior faculty,” said Vivek Goel, vice president, research and innovation of the University of Toronto. “I am immensely proud that U of T is amply represented in this college of the Royal Society.”

Two of the members hail from the Faculty of Arts & Science. Aneil Flett Agrawal is a distinguished professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology who won the faculty’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2011 and was named a Steacie Fellow in 2013. Aaron Wheeler, another Steacie Fellow, is acclaimed for his work in “lab-in-a-chip” technology and the integration of microchannels and microfluids. He is a professor in the department of chemistry.

Dr. Subodh Verma from the department of surgery of the Faculty of Medicine works on the connection between breast cancer genes and the degree of cardiac damage caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. A practising surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital, he is a recipient of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Gold Medal in Surgery.

Daniyal Zuberi is cross-appointed to the School of Public Policy & Governance and the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. His innovative social policy research has made important contributions to the study of urban poverty, inequality, health, education, employment and social welfare.

David Sinton from the department of mechanical  and industrial engineering of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering  was the director from 2012 to 2015 of the Institute for Sustainable Energy. His research involves the study and application of small-scale fluid mechanics for use in energy systems and analysis.

Criteria for admission to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists include new research approaches, interdisciplinary flexibility and an emphasis on diverse membership with representation by women, First Nations, immigrants and visible minorities. Candidates are to be admitted not later than 15 years after earning their doctorates. Membership is offered for seven years.

For a complete list of incoming College members go to http://www.rsc-src.ca.