(Vancouver) – Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and president of the International AIDS Society, honoured for his remarkable contribution to research and treatment
The Life Sciences Division of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) recently elected Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE), to the prestigious Fellowship of the RSC. Every year, the RSC confers this honour on distinguished scholars and artists who are selected on the basis of their exceptional contributions to Canadian intellectual culture.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition from my peers, and will work with the RSC and its elected Fellows to advance the cause of scholarship and science in Canada,” said Dr. Montaner.”I have the highest regard for the Fellowship of the RSC and I consider it a significant honour to be part of such esteemed company.”
Yvan Guindon, president of the RSC, said this recognition conferred on Dr. Montaner is well deserved.
“We are pleased to confer this Fellowship on Dr. Julio Montaner, whose innovative work in the field of HIV/AIDS research and treatment has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Mr. Guindon.”With this Fellowship, we are recognizing Dr. Montaner’s highly successful career, his many accomplishments in the fight against HIV/AIDS and his exemplary leadership of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.”
Election to the RSC presents recognition combined with responsibility. The RSC has evolved from a largely honorific society into a dynamic organization that requires leadership and active engagement from its Fellows. While this honour reflects Dr. Montaner’s accomplishments so far, it also endows upon him the responsibility to shape the future of the RSC.
In addition to leading the BC-CfE, Dr. Montaner is president of the International AIDS Society (IAS). At the recently concluded IAS Conference in South Africa, Dr. Montaner was an outspoken global leader regarding the failure of G8 leaders to honour promises made at the Gleneagles G8 summit in 2005 to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention by 2010.
About the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS:
The B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility. Located in Vancouver, Canada, it is dedicated to improving the health of British Columbians with HIV through the development, monitoring and dissemination of comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related diseases.
For additional information or an interview with Dr. Julio Montaner, please contact:
Ian Noble
Karyo Edelman
T 604.623.3007 ext. 300
F 604.687.4304
M 604.809.9650
ian.noble@edelman.com