The new year got off to an auspicious start for Dr. Trushar Patel, University of Lethbridge Canada Research Chair in RNA and Protein Biophysics and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts & Science, when he learned he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

“I was positively surprised when I received the email,” says Patel. “That is a nice New Year’s gift and a good beginning to the year.”

Based in the United Kingdom, the Royal Society of Biology was formed in 2009 when the Biosciences Federation and the Institute of Biology merged. The society was granted the Royal title in 2015. Being named a Fellow indicates someone has achieved distinction in biological research, teaching or the application of biology.

“We are absolutely delighted to see Dr. Patel receive this prestigious international recognition,” says Dr. Paul Hayes, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “His biochemistry research and collaborations with other scientists around the world have the potential to lead to new therapies for viral diseases.”

Patel joined ULethbridge in 2016 and earned a Canada Research Chair appointment in 2017. His lab, based in the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), has received extensive funding for work on a variety of viral diseases including hepatitis and COVID-19.

“The interdisciplinary nature of Dr. Patel’s work is vital in today’s research environment,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge vice-president (research). “Research that brings together scientists from several disciplines to tackle a problem often produces results beyond those produced in a single discipline.”

“I’m grateful to the University of Lethbridge for providing me with so many opportunities. I enjoy the support of all my colleagues and the senior leaders’ team, without which I wouldn’t be able to do any of this,” says Patel.

Along with being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2022, Patel was named winner of the 2022 Biophysical Society of Canada Young Investigatory Award and the 2022 New Investigator Award from the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences. In addition, he received a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, an Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award (Career and Academics Contribution Award), the ULethbridge Volunteer Award and the ULethbridge Speaker Research Award.