Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden

The SSR Distinguished Fellowship recognizes active SSR members for their outstanding contributions to the field of reproductive biology and to the Society, illustrated by sustained high impact research, leadership, service and mentorship.

Dr. Vanderhyden’s research has explored oocyte-granulosa cell interactions, the risks and processes associated with tumors arising from ovarian and oviductal epithelial cells, the generation and characterization of mouse models with infertility or ovarian cancer, and the discovery and testing of novel cancer therapeutics. Her achievements include co-development of a method for oocytectomy, and the generation of the first transgenic model of epithelial ovarian cancer, more refined, inducible models, and a model for a rare subtype of ovarian cancer.

Dr. Vanderhyden is the inaugural Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research, a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Ottawa, and a Senior Scientist in the Cancer Therapeutics Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Dr. Benjamin Tsang

The Society for the Study of Reproduction Jansen Distinguished Leadership and Service Award is awarded to an active, regular member of the Society who has demonstrated unselfish service and leadership in advancing the discipline of reproductive biology.

Dr. Tsang is an internationally recognized ovarian biologist, who has successfully developed a translational research program in women’s health. His team of basic scientists and clinical investigators address important health issues, including female infertility and ovarian cancer. His research program covers the broad area of cell fate regulation in women’s reproductive health. He and his team are examining the cell signaling pathways involved in the regulation of ovarian cell survival and apoptosis and have defined basic mechanisms governing normal ovarian follicular growth and offered important insights into the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition, his research on the molecular and cellular basis of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer has provided key information for the development of new therapy for chemoresistant ovarian cancer. His current investigation, employing nanophotonics and machine learning, focuses on the utility of exosomes as a biomarker for early detection of ovarian cancer and prediction of chemosensitivity.

Dr. Ben Tsang is a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Sharon Whiting

Dr. Sharon Whiting has been awarded the 2022 AFMC May Cohen Equity, Diversity, and Gender Award.  This award recognizes the outstanding effort or achievements of an individual, program, department or faculty in improving the equity diversity, gender and inclusivity environment in academic medicine in Canada. Dr. Whiting is the Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and staff physician in the Division of Neurology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Dr. Whiting’s career has been driven by equity considerations and in her capacity as Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs since 2018, she has gone above and beyond in driving the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to creating an equitable and diverse work and learning environment.  In her role as Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs, Dr. Whiting oversees the Faculty Wellness Program, the Office of Professionalism and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), ensuring that the Faculty of Medicine upholds a climate of mutual respect, along with the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior. Under her leadership, her team has developed important initiatives, including the creation of a recruitment and retention policy, specialized mentoring groups and monthly EDI Seminar Series.

Dr. Michael Cheng

The text below is from the Ontario Newswroom Backgrounder on the 2022 Appointees to the Order of Ontario.

Dr. Michael Cheng has advanced the understanding of child and youth mental health and wellness through his work as a child psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and a member of the CHEO Research Institute. He also co-founded eMentalHealth.ca, a mental health website for families and professionals, and co-developed a guide for frontline police officers to better understand and support child/youth mental health. 

Dr. Lisa D'Ambrosio

The text below is from the Faculty of Medicine's article titled Award-winning teacher shares top tips for educators and students. Click here to see the full story.

Dr. D’Ambrosio was recently selected as the recipient of the University of Ottawa Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Teaching Award Committee of the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO) for her excellence in teaching and education. (...)

Dr. D’Ambrosio’s exceptional teaching and pedagogical approach is considered a prime reason the TMM program is uOttawa’s most successful undergraduate program in terms of student satisfaction. Student evaluations of her performance have always been of the highest calibre, presenting Dr. D’Ambrosio as an exceptional educator who is very much appreciated by the student body. Learner comments reflect her passion for teaching, her innovative methods, and clear and helpful resources and material; and students value her educational approach and overall personality, which places their learning and success above all else.