Sault native, CHEO researcher appointed to Order of Canada

A CHEO researcher has been named to the Order of Canada.

Dr. Robert Korneluk will receive the honour for his contributions to groundbreaking research in cancer treatment and diagnostic clinical service laboratories.  

"When I look at the great accomplishments by many of the Order of Canada, I'm both very honoured and humbled by this recognition," said Korneluk. 

Korneluk, who is also a professor at the University of Ottawa's faculty of medicine and hails from the Sault, first started at the CHEO Research Institute in 1985. He has been instrumental in a number of breakthroughs in medical research, having led a team that found the genetic cause of a muscular disease known as type 1 myotonic dystrophy in 1992.

Korneluk received the Medal of Merit from the City of Sault Ste. Marie in 1992.

His team also discovered a family of genes that control how cells die under stress in 1995. Korneluk says this led to research about how these genes regulate cancer cells and how to use them to treat cancer patients.

“Dr. Korneluk has had an incredible impact on the CHEO Research Institute and across Canada,” said Martin Osmond, the CEO and scientific director of the CHEO Research Institute. “In addition to discovering new mechanisms of genetic disease and a novel family of cell survival genes informing cancer therapy, his years of dedication, collaborative approach and mentoring of students, trainees and young researchers combine to form a truly impressive legacy.” 

Korneluk will be among 103 new appointments recently announced by Governor General Julie Payette. 

- OttawaMatters.com/Rogers Media