Four U of A researchers elected 2023 Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Four researchers from the University of Alberta have been elected as 2023 Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). Aminu Bello, Jason Acker, Carla Prado and Toshifumi Yokota were chosen in recognition of their work in the greater health sciences community.

Fellowship in the CAHS is considered one of the highest honours within academia in Canada.  Fellows are nominated by their institutions and peers and selected in a competitive process. The CAHS brings together Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists and scholars to make a positive impact on the health of Canadians.

Learn more about our CAHS Fellows and their work: 

Aminu Bello, professor of nephrology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry

A clinician-scientist with research interests in improving outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease, Bello has produced over 200 scientific publications. He is internationally recognized for his work in the development of the Global Kidney Health Atlas under the auspices of the International Society of Nephrology, the largest project of its kind and the first to determine the capacity for kidney care at a global scale. His work has led to collaborations with renowned professional societies including the World Health Organization to inform governments and stakeholder organizations of the burden and best practices for kidney disease prevention and treatment.

READ: International Society of Nephrology: Global Kidney Health Atlas

Jason Acker, professor of laboratory medicine & pathology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry

Acker is an outstanding mentor, educator and advisor who is internationally recognized for his leadership and scholarly contributions to the transfusion sciences and cryobiology communities. He is an innovative scientist whose paradigm-shifting research discoveries have advanced the preservation of cell-based therapeutics. He is a collaborative researcher who successfully brings together multidisciplinary teams to support the translation of novel discoveries into innovative products. Through his service with national and international organizations, he has actively contributed to improving practices, policies and standards which have enhanced the quality and utilization of cell therapies and advanced the biobanking industry.

READ: Researchers develop ‘ice inhibitors’ to protect cells during cryopreservation

Carla Prado, professor of human nutrition in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences

Prado’s internationally recognized work assesses and disseminates evidence on the importance of body composition, particularly low muscle mass, to predict health outcomes such as cancer survival. Her work underway at the world-class Human Nutrition Research Unit is changing clinical practice. She is designing targeted nutritional strategies to optimize body composition and improve health outcomes for immigrants and people with diseases. Recent recognitions of her pathbreaking work include Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award and Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100.

READ: New cookbook boosts protein diet to help people beat cancer

Toshifumi Yokota, professor of medical genetics in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry

Yokota’s research focuses on understanding and developing treatments for muscular dystrophy and other genetic disorders. His group’s pioneering research has led to significant advancements in the treatment of muscular dystrophy. As a scholarly contributor to over 100 peer-reviewed articles, an editor of three influential books, and a valued board member for numerous journals and organizations, his relentless dedication to the medical field continues to revolutionize therapies for muscular dystrophy and rare diseases.