David Edwards, a professor in the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, was one of the new 2022 Fellows elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) brings together Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists and scholars to make a positive impact on the urgent health concerns of Canadians.
CAHS Fellows, drawn from all disciplines across Canada's universities, healthcare and research institutes, evaluate Canada’s most complex health challenges and recommend strategic, actionable solutions.
Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future well-being of the health sciences irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline.
“Becoming a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences recognizes Fellows’ dedication to health sciences,” says Dr. Sioban Nelson, President, CAHS. “We are proud of their accomplishments and we are honoured to welcome them to the Canadian Academy of Heath Sciences.”
Dave Edwards is the former Hallman Director of the School of Pharmacy and associate dean of the Faculty of Science from 2011 through 2020. Throughout his career, he has served in numerous leadership roles including president of the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada and the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy and a current member of the Ontario College of Pharmacists Council.
When I look at the national and international accomplishments of the Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, I feel quite honoured to be included in this group. I look forward to working with other members of the Academy to address some of the urgent health concerns that Canadians are facing.
Edwards is the author of more than 100 scientific papers, review articles and book chapters related to pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, therapeutic drug monitoring, bioequivalence and drug interactions. Research in his laboratory identified the mechanism by which drugs interact with grapefruit juice as well as the compounds in grapefruit juice responsible for this interaction.
He is a co-author of the textbook “Evaluating Drug Literature: A Statistical Approach”. Edwards is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and received the Honorary Life Award from the Canadian Pharmacists Association in 2018.
Ronald Schlegel, professor emeritus in the Faculty of Health and founder of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, was also elected as a 2022 CAHS Fellow.
“The University of Waterloo is a leader of health research and innovation in Canada,” says Charmaine Dean, vice-president of research and International. “This prestigious recognition from the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences is a testament to David and Ron’s national impact, not only through their careers at Waterloo, but also their contributions to Canada’s health systems.”
Congratulations Dave!