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Dr. Duncan Stewart to Receive Biomedical Science Ambassador Award


May 10, 2011

Dr. Duncan Stewart, CEO and Scientific Director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Vice-President of Research at The Ottawa Hospital and Professor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, will receive the prestigious Biomedical Science Ambassador Award from Partners in Research on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at The Ottawa Evening Gala.

Partners in Research is a national Canadian charity established in 1988 to educate the lay public - particularly young people - about the history, importance, accomplishments and promise of health research in all its aspects. The organization’s Biomedical Science Ambassador Award was established in 1996 to recognize individuals, both lay and scientific, for their exceptional personal contributions in advancing the understanding of and support for biomedical research.

Throughout his career, Dr. Stewart has helped educate thousands of young people about biomedical research through mentorship, classroom teaching and seminars. He has also advanced popular support for research through interviews with the media, outreach to elected officials and various public science forums such the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Café Scientifique Program and the Canada Science and Technology Museum’s Biotech Lecture Series. Dr. Stewart is also active in research advocacy groups such as Research Canada: An Alliance for Health Discovery and Friends of CIHR.

Dr. Stewart’s commitment to science promotion is matched by his commitment to his patients and to his own research. Dr. Stewart has a long track record of making world-first discoveries in vascular biology and he has pioneered the development of promising stem cell therapies for pulmonary hypertension and heart attack. Dr. Stewart has also demonstrated leadership in bringing diverse groups of clinicians and scientists together to put Canada on the world stage for translational cardiovascular and regenerative medicine research.

“I am honoured to receive this award and to be a part of the outstanding research and innovation community in Canada,” said Dr. Stewart. “Research is the key to a healthier, happier and more productive society, and I think that getting this message out, particularly to young people, is one of the best ways to ensure our continued success in this area.”

See http://www.pirweb.org/ottawa for further details on Partners in Research, The Ottawa Evening and the Biomedical Science Ambassador Award.

About the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with the University’s Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. The OHRI includes more than 1,500 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Www.ohri.ca

Media contact
Jennifer Paterson
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-798-5555 ext. 73325
jpaterson@ohri.ca