HBI Professor Elected into the Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) has elected an HBI professor to their fellowship, the highest academic accolade they give to scientists and scholars. Dr. Quentin Pittman, a professor in the department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Director of the HBI Education Program was recently honoured along with fellow Faculty of Medicine researcher Dr. Susan Lees-Miller.

Since 1882, the RSC has been devoted to recognizing excellence in learning and research, as well as recognizing accomplishments in the arts, humanities and sciences.

“I was flattered and humbled,” says Pittman.  “The membership includes so many individuals whom I greatly admire.” He adds that his election is somewhat of a collaborative effort since the science he is being recognized for did not happen in isolation.  “This award is a reflection of the contributions of the many trainees who have gone through my laboratory and the scientific effort of my colleagues here at the University of Calgary.”

Pittman’s research activities focus on central autonomic control of fever, antipyresis and blood pressure, and on the synaptic pharmacology of important endocrine and autonomic nuclei such as the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and the dorsal vagal complex. In addition, his laboratory studies plasticity of neuronal function during pregnancy and lactation, and the influence of neonatal immune challenges on adult autonomic function.

Both Lees-Miller and Pittman will be inducted into the Royal Society of Canada Fellowship at a ceremony, which will be held in November in Ottawa.  In order to become a Fellow of the RSC, new Fellows must participate in an Induction ceremony within three years of their election.

Other HBI members that have been elected to the Royal Society of Canada include Full Members Drs. Gregory Cairncross (2009), Samuel Weiss (2009) and Gerald Zamponi (2008) and Associate Member Dr. Morley Hollenberg (2003).

Posted September 15, 2010