Nominee: Sherif Abou Elela
Professor, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec
Brief Biosketch provided for the nominee:
Dr. Sherif Abou Elela is a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease (Infectiology) at the Université de Sherbrooke. His lab’s research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms controlling RNA synthesis and stability in eukaryotic cells (like humans) under normal conditions, as well as stress and disease states, like cancer. In recent years, his lab has demonstrated that RNA is a major source of cancer biomarkers and may predict tumour behaviour and drug resistance. Dr. Abou Elela has been a longstanding champion of the Canadian RNA Community, establishing the RiboClub seminar series and yearly conference nearly 25 years ago, and spearheading the formation of RNA Canada ARN in 2022. He has served as the director of the Sherbrooke Laboratory of Functional Genomics, the scientific director of Genome Quebec RNomics platform. Sherif is also the Canada Research Chair in RNA Biology and Cancer Genomics.
Justification provided for the nominee:
Sherif needs no introduction to the Nomination & Election Committee or to RNA scientists in Canada. Not only has he made important scientific contributions but his service to the community is legendary. He established RiboClub a quarter century ago and RNA Canada ARN starting two years ago. His dedication, vision and leadership skills make him an essential member of the RNA Canada ARN Board of Directors, for which position I nominate him with the utmost enthusiasm. Without him there would be no RNA Canada ARN today.