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Dr. Gerlinde Metz has been elected to be a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

University of Lethbridge professor Dr. Gerlinde Metz named Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellow

Oct 4, 2023 | 4:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Neuroscientist Dr. Gerlinde Metz is being acknowledged for her contributions to health sciences.

Metz has been elected to be a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). She is the first professor at the University of Lethbridge (U of L) to receive the title. Being elected to the CAHS is considered one of the highest honours for health science workers in Canada.

A Fellow is someone who is recognized by their peers on both the national and international levels. They are honoured for their contributions to health sciences, demonstration of leadership, distinctive competencies and a commitment to advance health sciences.

Metz said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have been elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences”.

She continued, “It is truly an honour to join the ranks of CAHS and it is also a recognition of the excellent research environment at ULethbridge and the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience and the neuroscience department in particular. Achieving milestones in innovative health research is only possible through collaborative efforts with our colleagues and through the significant accomplishments of our trainees. This recognition is a tribute to all of them!”

CAHS welcomed 48 new fellows for 2023.

Dr. Jan Sargeant, Chair of the Fellowship Committee said, “I would like to personally congratulate all the applicants that were elected as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences for 2023. This recognition reflects their dedication and excellence in their field.”

Sargeant continued, “We look forward to having their expertise further enrich the work of our Academy.”

Metz concentrates on the influence of experience and environment on behaviour and brain plasticity. Her findings indicate that negative experiences at any time in life can raise the risk of disease. Her more recent research focuses on how stress can impact younger generations. She has found that the experiences of parents and grandparents can influence the health of their children.

The CAHS summarized her work as follows, “Her research investigates how experiences, both positive and negative, affect brain health from early development to old age. Her pioneering work has demonstrated that transgenerational stress affects the well-being of future generations, which is now leading to new tools for risk prediction and diagnosis of human disease.”

The CAHS continued, “Devoted to interdisciplinary and translational research and training around the globe, her work advances precision health with benefits for the most vulnerable populations.”

The academy is a non-profit organization with a goal to ensure that Canada is able to operate using the appropriate scientific evidence.

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