The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced this year’s elected Fellows and incoming class of the RSC College.  

The RSC is the nation’s pre-eminent organization of scholars, researchers, and artists. It celebrates excellence, promotes research, and provides independent advice on matters of public interest while fostering collaboration and mentoring future leaders to advance knowledge in Canada and beyond. 

Congratulations to the following UHN researchers elected to the RSC:   

● Dr. Laura Dawson (Fellow) is a Clinician Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and an internationally recognized leader in radiation oncology. Her research focuses on implementing advanced radiation technologies, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), image-guided radiation therapy, and MRI-guided radiation therapy, to improve cancer treatment outcomes while reducing treatment-related toxicities. Dr. Dawson has led practice-changing Phase III clinical trials that established SBRT as a new standard of care for patients with primary liver cancer who are not candidates for surgery or other local therapies, demonstrating significant improvements in progression-free and overall survival. She is also investigating innovative approaches that combine radiation therapy with immunotherapy, as well as new strategies to improve quality of life and symptom management for patients with cancer. 

● Dr. Jan Seuntjens (Fellow) is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and an internationally recognized medical physicist whose research focuses on advancing precision radiation medicine. He develops innovative radiation therapy technologies designed to improve cancer treatment by maximizing radiation dose to tumours while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. His research program includes the development of mixed photon-electron radiation therapy for superficial cancers and next-generation proton therapy technologies that could make proton treatment significantly more affordable and accessible. Dr. Seuntjens also leads efforts to reduce uncertainties in radiation dose delivery through novel detector technologies that have informed international clinical standards, and he leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to personalize cancer care using digital patient data. 

Over a hundred new Fellows were elected and recognized for their impactful achievements in the arts, social sciences, humanities, and sciences. The RSC also welcomed 54 new Members to the RSC College; the College consists of mid-career researchers who help the RSC address major challenges and seize opportunities in emerging fields in Canada and around the world.   

Read the press release for award details and additional information about the upcoming ceremonies honouring the awardees.