Prestigious Award Presented to University of Waterloo Researcher by the Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC), which comprises the Academy of Arts and Humanities, Academy of Social Sciences and the Academy of Science, recognizes excellence, advises the government and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation with other national academies around the world.
This year, the RSC presents the John L. Synge Award to Dr. Anita Layton, a professor of applied mathematics and Canada 150 Research Chair of Mathematical Biology and Medicine at the University of Waterloo, for her outstanding research in mathematical sciences.
“Congratulations to Anita Layton on being selected for the 2023 John L. Synge Award, a prestigious distinction,” says Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president of Research and International at Waterloo. “Your important research in systems computational modeling tools to better understand aspects of health and disease has made such a substantial impact.”
Waterloo is proud to host the RSC for the 2023 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference this November where Layton will be accepting the John L. Synge Award.
Layton is an internationally acclaimed authority and leading researcher in mathematical medicine and biology. She has solved long-standing problems in scientific computing and renal physiology. She is recognized for her pioneering contributions to computational methods for fluid-structure-interaction problems, and to mathematical modeling of mammalian physiology and pathophysiology, including the first sex-specific models of kidney physiology and blood pressure regulation.
She currently leads a diverse and interdisciplinary team of researchers in collaboration with physiologists, biomedical engineers and clinicians to formulate detailed models of cellular and organ function.
As a professor of applied mathematics, Layton is cross-appointed in computer science, pharmacy and biology. Until recently, she served as the associate dean of research and international for the Faculty of Mathematics. Layton is also a member of the Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council at Waterloo, where they provide strategic advice, direction and objectives to support faculty members with their research and team environment.
About the award
In 1986, the RSC established the John L. Synge award to honour John Lighton Synge, one of the first mathematicians working in Canada to obtain international recognition through research in mathematics. Synge was head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.