Dr. Andréa LeBlanc, Senior Investigator at the Lady Davis Institute and James McGill Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, has been awarded the Senate 150th Anniversary Medal. Struck to commemorate the first sitting of the Canada’s Senate on November 6, 1867, the medals are bestowed upon “Canadians whose dedication, volunteerism, hard work and expertise make Canada and their communities a better place to live.”
Dr. LeBlanc is internationally recognized for her pioneering research into Alzheimer disease. Having identified Caspase-6 as an indicator of early onset of neurodegeneration, she is studying how this protein is activated in the brain and how it might serve as a target for therapies to prevent the progressive degeneration of this disease . Her work is bringing hope to the 750,000 Canadians afflicted with Alzheimer disease, a number that is expected to double within twenty years, according to the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
“As a basic research scientist, it is an honour to be recognized with a Senate of Canada 150 medal,” said Dr. LeBlanc. “Many scientists, young and old, dedicate tireless efforts to finding mechanisms of disease that will allow the development of efficient treatments and medications. This medal recognizes their efforts to improve the health of many Canadians.”
Dr. LeBlanc was nominated for her Medal by The Honourable Judith G. Seidman.