Queen’s University researchers Janet Dancey, Marcia Finlayson, and Graeme Smith have been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Fellowship, one of Canada’s premier academic honours.

Three of Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists, the new fellows are working to make a positive impact on the urgent health concerns of Canadians. They join the ranks of other Queen’s CAHS Fellows, including Michael Green, Robert Ross, Anne Croy, Susan Cole, Roger Deeley, Stephen Archer, Jacalyn Duffin, John Rudan, Chris Simpson, Elizabeth Eisenhauer, and others.

“Election to the CAHS is one of the highest honours for health sciences researchers in Canada,” says Dr. Kimberly Woodhouse, Vice-Principal (Research). “The contributions of Drs. Dancey, Finlayson, and Smith have  widespread impact both in Canada and internationally, and as a community of scholars, the Academy will benefit greatly from their experience and expertise.”

Dr. Dancey (Oncology) is an international leader in cancer clinical trials of experimental therapeutics, particularly trials of targeted therapies with biomarkers, as well as novel trials for rare cancer patients. As director of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), Canada’s largest cancer trial network located at Queen’s, she has worked to advance its research strategy and expand its portfolio of trials evaluating targeted agents, immunotherapy and the application of genomics. As a professor in the Department of Oncology at Queen’s University, she has special expertise encompassing new anti-cancer drug development, linking drug and biomarker development, and associated clinical trials methodology.

Dr. Finlayson (School of Rehabilitation Therapy) is an occupational therapist and internationally recognized multiple sclerosis rehabilitation researcher. The overarching goal of her work is to improve care and quality of life outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis, particularly as they age. Through the use of mixed methods, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with national and international MS organizations, Finlayson has drawn attention to the day-to-day impact of living with MS and identified effective strategies that enable people affected by this disease to exert choice and control over their everyday lives. Dr. Finlayson is Vice-Dean of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University.

Dr. Smith (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) is an internationally recognized clinician scientist and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen’s University. Dr. Smith established the Academic Council at the Society for Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) to oversee educational activities ranging from medical students to residents to practicing clinicians. He has demonstrated a career long commitment to trainee research education ranging from his own basic science graduate trainees, establishing the Royal College Clinician Investigator Program at Queen’s University, running the Introduction to Research course for all first year residents and establishing mentorship recognition programs in the SOGC and his department.

The CAHS is one of Canada’s national academies, along with the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. These academies inform government and the public on issues critical to health care and health improvement.

For more information on the CAHS, visit the website.