University of Ottawa researchers join the prestigious Royal Society of Canada

By University of Ottawa

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From left to right: Georg Northoff and Tracy Vaillancourt (fellows of the Royal Society of Canada); and Jude Mary Cénat (member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists)
Professors Georg Northoff and Tracy Vaillancourt have been elected fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the highest distinction awarded to Canadian scholars, artists, and scientists.

Moreover, the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists welcomed Professor Jude Mary Cénat as a member of its eighth cohort. Created by the RSC, the College recognizes rising stars whose early careers have demonstrated research excellence.

“The nomination of these three professors testifies to the excellence and impact of their work,” said Vice-President, Research Sylvain Charbonneau. “I warmly congratulate them on their brilliant careers and exceptional professional achievements. Their academic contributions inspire the next generation of researchers.”

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Georg Northoff (Faculty of Medicine) holds the Canada Research Chair for Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics and is a scientist at the Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research.  His research studies neural mechanisms of consciousness and the self and how they change through psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

Tracy Vaillancourt (faculties of Education and Social Sciences) is a professor in Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education and holder of the Canada Research Chair in School-Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention. Her research studies the links between bullying and mental health in children and adolescents, with a particular focus on social neuroscience. Professor Vaillancourt is the first University of Ottawa member of the College to be elected an RSC fellow. She was part of the initial College cohort in 2014.

Member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Jude Mary Cénat is a professor at the School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences. His research explores the factors associated with vulnerability, trauma, and resilience, with particular emphasis on cultural factors. He focuses on the study of the biological, social, and cultural determinants of physical and mental health in Black communities in Canada.

The Royal Society of Canada will host a ceremony on November 19, 2021 to induct these professors into its ranks. This new cohort brings the total number of uOttawa faculty members elected for life into the RSC to 125. The University also counts 27 young researchers elected for a seven-year term to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Read the press release issued by the Royal Society of Canada.