University of Toronto professor Tak Wah Mak has received the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Gold Leaf Prize for Discovery. The CIHR Gold Leaf Prizes are awarded every two years and recognize trailblazing achievements in multiple pillars of health research. The Prize for Discovery is awarded to “an individual or team whose research findings are unique, inspirational, and break new ground, significantly influencing knowledge in their field.” Dr. Mak is a professor in the departments of medical biophysics and immunology. His work has led to ground-breaking discoveries in cancer and immunology research. Dr. Mak’s discoveries involving T-cell receptors remain the basis of research in 5,000 laboratories around the world. He has received 11 international honorary degrees and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Les Jacobs has been appointed vice-president, research and innovation, at Ontario Tech University, effective July 1. Dr. Jacobs is an expert in applications of data science to research questions involving equality and human rights. Prior to his appointment, he was at York University, where he held the York Research Chair in Human Rights and Access to Justice, and served as director of the Institute for Social Research.
Emily Carr University of Art and Design announced Trish Kelly as the incoming vice-president, academic, and provost, effective June 1. Dr. Kelly was previously associate dean of the MFA program at Emily Carr. Prior to that, she held a faculty position in the department of history of art and architecture at DePaul University in Chicago. She is a 2016 recipient of the Ian Wallace Teaching Award at Emily Carr, which recognizes excellence and innovation in teaching.
Robert Gordon will be the next president and vice-chancellor at the University of Windsor. Dr. Gordon comes to Windsor from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he is currently provost and vice-president, academic. He is a respected expert on environmental issues and agricultural engineering, helping lead a number of environmental initiatives, including the administration of the Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Plan Program. His appointment begins Sept. 1.