Top health researchers in Canada awarded for exceptional achievements

Attention assignment editors: Health, Science and Photo

OTTAWA (November 16, 2010) – His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, will acknowledge Canada's top health researchers tonight as the recipients of the 2010 Canadian Health Research Awards are announced at a special ceremony.

The 9th annual Canadian Health Research Awards, hosted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Prix Galien Canada, are being held in Ottawa tonight at the National Gallery of Canada. The following awards will be presented:

Canada's Health Researcher of the Year: Dr. Clyde Hertzman, University of British Columbia. Through his research, Dr. Hertzman has gathered a wide range of scientific evidence to support the idea that what happens to you during childhood is important to your lifelong health. His findings have helped shape policies around childhood learning and development, and also influenced Ontario's recent decision to expand to full-day kindergarten for four- and five-year-olds

Canada's Premier Young Researcher Award: Dr. David Hammond, University of Waterloo. By studying cigarette packaging and labeling, Dr. Hammond analyzed how the tobacco industry designs its labels to recruit new smokers, and how that same packaging can be used to discourage people from smoking. His findings have been incorporated into the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first global health treaty, and he has helped countries develop warning label policies for tobacco products.

CIHR Knowledge Translation Award: Dr. Tofy Mussivand, University of Ottawa Heart Institute. While many people may see a failing heart as an insurmountable problem, Dr Mussivand saw it as something he could fix – a broken pump. Using his background in engineering and medicine, he set about to create an implantable artificial heart. His leadership has led to important advances in his field of research, including the development of standards for medical devices and the creation of a successful medical device company.

CIHR Partnership Award: Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project. The Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) is a community-wide effort to improve physical activity levels and diet, with the end goal of reducing type-2 diabetes levels. The project began within the community, is led by the community, and relies on participants of all ages from Kahnawake to make it possible. Through its partnership with researchers from McGill University, the community is assessing the impact of the project.

"I congratulate all the award winners for their remarkable accomplishments," said Minister Aglukkaq. "These researchers have achieved extraordinary levels of excellence and their contributions to health research are continuously helping to improve the health and quality of life of Canadians."

"Each of the researchers recognized tonight has contributed significant knowledge towards health research," said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR. "Their work has advanced our understanding of the human mind and body and is making Canada a healthier and happier place to live."

For a complete list of award recipients, please visit the CIHR website.

For the past 10 years, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has supported better health and health care for Canadians. As the Government of Canada's health research investment agency, CIHR enables the creation of evidence-based knowledge and its transformation into improved treatments, prevention and diagnoses, new products and services, and a stronger, patient-oriented health-care system. Composed of 13 internationally recognized Institutes, CIHR supports more than 13,600 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

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Media Enquiries:

David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-4563
Cell phone: 613-808-7526
Email: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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