Dr. Trushar Patel, a professor in the University of Lethbridge’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Canada Research Chair in RNA and Protein Biophysics, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC).

Based in the United Kingdom, the Royal Society of Chemistry bestows fellowship to acknowledge significant achievement by professional chemists and outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

“As a biochemist, I feel honoured to receive this designation,” says Patel. “Receiving this fellowship certainly boosts my confidence as it provides international recognition of my research and outreach activities. It also confirms my career is going in the right direction.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry, established 180 years ago, designates fellow status to individuals who have been in a senior position more than five years and whose work has made an impact in the chemical sciences.

“We are very pleased for Trushar to receive this honour,” says Dr. Peter Dibble, Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. “This is a prestigious fellowship and it reflects the excellence of Trushar’s work since he joined our department six years ago.”

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

“Dr. Patel’s work is both impressive and innovative,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president (research). “His contributions to the field are stellar and he consistently encourages and promotes the work his students are doing. This fellowship acknowledges his dedication to his work and his commitment to students.”

Patel has won numerous awards in the past few years, including being named winner of the 2022 Biophysical Society of Canada Young Investigator Award and the 2022 New Investigator Award from the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences. Also this year, Patel received the University Volunteer Award for lending his expertise with viruses and RNA-based vaccines to the University as it looked to safely reopen its campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic.