Queen’s celebrates researchers’ induction into the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
Four Queen’s researchers were selected to be part of the RSC on Sept. 3. Founded in 1882, the RSC encourages and promotes research in Canada and offers advice to governmental and non-governmental organizations on issues significant to Canadians, the Gazette stated.
Douglas Munoz, researcher in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Mark Diederichs, researcher in the Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Cao Thang Dinh, researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Bhavin Shastri, researcher in Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy are Queen’s RSC inductees this year.
Munoz and Diederichs will be inducted as Fellows, while Shastri and Dinh will become members of the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists.
Douglas Munoz
Douglas Munoz is a neuroscientist who’s worked as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences since 1991.
As a McGill University graduate student in 1982, he studied how the brain controls eye movements. When he came to Queen’s for work, Munoz started an eye movement laboratory called the Munoz Lab which eventually expanded to the greater Kingston area and internationally.
Munoz has also helped develop diagnostic tools for neurological diseases such as ADHD and Parkinson’s.
“This award is very humbling and represents acknowledgement of a career of research. I feel this award is for my whole research team because they contributed greatly,” Munoz said in a statement to The Journal. “I have had the great fortune to work with some amazing research staff and trainees over the years and they helped make this happen.”
Munoz said he’s grateful for the support he has received from his family.
“The first person I told was my wife, who has put up with my erratic career over the past 40 plus years. She is my rock, and it meant something special to share the news with her,” Munoz said.
Cao Thang Dinh
Cao Thang Dinh fights climate change with innovations that create renewable energy. Dinh also develops technology that reduces carbon emissions, provides renewable energy solutions, and sustainable production of chemicals and materials.
Dinh was both surprised and honoured to receive the accolade.
“Becoming a member of the Royal Society of Canada is not only a tremendous honor but also a valuable opportunity for me to make a greater impact in the fight against climate change. The Royal Society of Canada brings together both emerging and established scholars, artists, and scientists from diverse fields who are committed to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Dinh said in a statement to The Journal.
Dinh, backed by 15 graduate and postdoctoral students, has worked at Queen’s in the Department of Chemical Engineering since 2019.
“I’m incredibly proud of the innovations my students are developing in the lab, and it’s exciting to see their progress,” Dinh said.
Mark Diederichs
Mark Diederichs is a leader in engineering geology and rock engineering, studying the fracture of rocks over time. Diederichs research has improved the safety of mining and civil engineering projects.
The Journal didn’t reach Diederichs in time for publication.
Bhavin Shastri
Bhavin Shastri’s research involves a combination of artificial intelligence and light. Shastri looks at how technologies can work faster at a reduced energy consumption rate.
The Journal didn’t reach Shastri in time for publication.
Tags
biology, Engineering, Research, Royal Society of Canada
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