Dr. Nehal Thakor, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, was chosen as RiboClub’s Blue Jacket Award winner. The Blue Jacket Award is RiboClub's highest recognition for service by RNA scientists to the Canadian RNA community. The award recognizes sustained and impactful contributions that have strengthened the RNA community and helped it to better achieve its goals in RNA research and education.

Dr. Nehal Thakor accepts congratulations after receiving the Blue Jacket Award.

“I feel honoured by this award and I look forward to continue serving and providing leadership to the RNA community in Canada,” says Thakor.

“As Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, I am delighted that RiboClub has celebrated Prof. Nehal Thakor for his important contributions to the field of RNA research,” says Prof. Paul Hayes. “This prestigious award also recognizes Thakor's unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to the training of our next generation of scientists. Congratulations on a job well done!”

The Blue Jacket Award includes Thakor being appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of RiboClub and more recently, being appointed to the organizing committee of RiboClub 2024, the organization’s 25th anniversary meeting.

“Further, with my active involvement in establishing RNA Canada and RNA Alberta, we hope to accelerate the discovery and development of RNA-based technologies in the province and Canada,” says Thakor.

The Blue Jacket Award celebrates Thakor’s extraordinary service and leadership to the RNA community including the following:

• Being a co-organizer for the RiboClub 2019 Annual General Meeting – which marked it’s 20^th Anniversary. He was also instrumental in obtaining Alberta Innovates funding which supported five trainees from the chemistry & biochemistry department to attend.
• Contributing as a member of the Program Committee and Executive Committee of the NSERC-CREATE-funded RNA Innovation program. This national program includes the University of Lethbridge, University of Sherbrooke and University of Manitoba.
• Serving on the Canadian Consortium of RNA Researchers (C2R2) Management Committee and Grants Committee (national committees).

RiboClub brings ribonucleic acid (RNA) researchers together to promote the study of RNA evolution, structure and function. Through regular meetings, the exchange of ideas and sharing infrastructure, the club creates and unique atmosphere for the recruitment and development of young researchers.