Sep 24, 2021

Karim Mekhail and Laura Rosella named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Research: Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, Research: Brain & Neuroscience, Research: Cancer, Research: Human development, aging & regenerative medicine, Research: Molecular & cell biology

Faculty member Dr. Karim Mekhail is one of five faculty members at the University of Toronto appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Cross-appointed faculty member Dr. Laura Rosella was also appointed.

Each appointee receives a seven-year membership in the college, which recognizes and supports academic leadership and collaboration among those who have received their PhDs within the last 15 years.

By bringing together some of the brightest and most creative minds in various fields, the RSC College is an essential catalyst for innovations benefiting our society, both in the present and future. As I join this unique group, amongst several goals, I look forward to working with my fellow members and the broader RSC family to promote innovative multidisciplinary collaborations and provide high school students with more opportunities to learn about higher education.

Dr. Karim Mekhail

About Dr. Mekhail's research

Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. Our DNA is tightly packaged and organized into a highly intricate yet dynamic three-dimensional structure inside each cell. Using state-of-the-art cell and molecular biology approaches, we study how these dynamic DNA structures are set and changed to mediate gene expression, DNA repair, and protein production.

This spatial organization of our DNA is critical to our ability to understand the pathological processes underlying age-related human diseases, including various cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. For example, we’re studying how the spatial organization of DNA is altered in several cancers. We then exploit this knowledge to identify new targets for therapeutic development and even to try and maximize the therapeutic benefit of existing anti-cancer medicines.

This means so much to me on a personal and professional level. They bring together the best scientists and artists and intellectuals in Canada, and they use it to advance society. I’m really interested in work that addresses community belonging, cohesiveness in societies and bringing people together. And the Royal Society is well-positioned to do that.

Dr. Rosella, DLSPH’s PhD program director in epidemiology

About Dr. Rosella's research

Dr. Rosella is finding ways to answer questions like how to build a more cohesive society, how to make everyone feel like they belong and what are the pathways to health, all while using new sources of population data. She is working with other scholars on making artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning ethical and equitable to improve society. You can read an interview with Dr. Rosella on the DLSPH website.