Royal Society of Canada presents Waterloo researcher with a prestigious award

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC), which comprises the Academy of Arts and Humanities, Academy of Social Sciences and the Academy of Science, recognizes excellence, advises the government and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation with other national academies around the world.  

 This year, the RSC presents the John L. Synge Award to Dr. Anita Layton, a professor of applied mathematics and Canada 150 Research Chair of Mathematical Biology and Medicine at the University of Waterloo, for her outstanding research in mathematical sciences.  

“Congratulations to Anita Layton on being selected for the 2023 John L. Synge Award, a prestigious distinction,” says Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president of Research and International at Waterloo. “Your important research in systems computational modeling tools to better understand aspects of health and disease has made such a substantial impact.” 

Waterloo is proud to host the RSC for the 2023 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference this November where Layton will be accepting the John L. Synge Award. 

Layton is an internationally acclaimed authority and leading researcher in mathematical medicine and biology. She has solved long-standing problems in scientific computing and renal physiology. She is recognized for her pioneering contributions to computational methods for fluid-structure-interaction problems, and to mathematical modeling of mammalian physiology and pathophysiology, including the first sex-specific models of kidney physiology and blood pressure regulation.  

She currently leads a diverse and interdisciplinary team of researchers in collaboration with physiologists, biomedical engineers and clinicians to formulate detailed models of cellular and organ function.  

As a professor of applied mathematics, Layton is cross-appointed in computer science, pharmacy and biology. Until recently, she served as the associate dean of research and international for the Faculty of Mathematics. Layton is also a member of the Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council at Waterloo, where they provide strategic advice, direction and objectives to support faculty members with their research and team environment.  

About the award 

In 1986, the RSC established the John L. Synge award to honour John Lighton Synge, one of the first mathematicians working in Canada to obtain international recognition through research in mathematics. Synge was head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. 

About the 2023 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference    

The University of Waterloo is proud to host the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for the 2023 Celebration of Excellence & Engagement (COEE) conference and present the symposium, Health and Wellbeing for All by 2030: Application of technology to global health problems.  

From November 15 to 18, the COEE delegates will engage in sessions featuring the insights of hundreds of scholars, clinicians, artists and scientists on the key issues of our time. On Thursday, November 16, the RSC will welcome the new members of the College. The RSC will also present the new fellows on Friday, November 17, along with the awards for outstanding research and scholarly achievement in Canada.