Seven SFU researchers honoured by the Royal Society of Canada

Seven SFU researchers honoured by the Royal Society of Canada

Simon Fraser University is celebrating seven extraordinary scholars for their induction into the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada's highest academic honour.

The RSC has officially announced its Class of 2026, with four new Fellows from SFU and three new Members of The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Their work spans healthy aging, digital media studies, economic policy, climate change, clean energy, sustainable oceans and reconciliation.

“Congratulations to our new Royal Society of Canada Fellows and College members. We are so proud that your excellent research, innovation and community engagement is contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future in B.C. and Canada,” says SFU president and vice-chancellor Joy Johnson, who was elected to the RSC in 2019. "Thank you for all you bring to SFU and the world through your dedication to the communities we serve.”

“Being named to the Royal Society of Canada is the highest academic honour a Canadian scholar can receive, and it reflects a career of work that matters far beyond the university,” says Dugan O'Neil, vice-president, research and innovation. “These inductees are tackling some of the toughest challenges we face, and their recognition is a reminder of the impact of SFU research.”

The honour recognizes distinguished Canadians from all branches of learning who have made remarkable contributions to the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences, as well as to Canadian public life.

The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is Canada's first national, multidisciplinary recognition for emerging thought leaders.

Habib Chaudhury – Department of Gerontology

Environmental gerontologist Habib Chaudhury is a sought-after expert on the physical and social environments that optimize quality of life and support healthy aging for older adults, with a particular focus on people living with cognitive decline. His research, training and consultancies have shaped actionable policies, programs, and design principles for age- and dementia-inclusive communities nationally and internationally. Chaudhury is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aging and Environment, and has served on advisory boards for municipal, provincial and federal governments across Canada.

Dal Yong Jin – School of Communication

Distinguished SFU Professor Dal Yong Jin is internationally recognized for his pioneering research in digital media, platform studies and globalization. His work has shaped global discourse on Korean media and digital culture, while advancing numerous theoretical frameworks in transnational cultural studies. Jin directs the Transnational Popular Culture and Digital Technology Lab at SFU, where he advances critical studies on digital platforms and popular culture while mentoring the next generation of scholars in the field. 

Krishna Pendakur – Department of Economics

Distinguished SFU Professor and Bank of Canada Fellow Krishna Pendakur is a globally recognized, award-winning economist. His theoretical and empirical contributions have reshaped how economists think about, model and measure poverty and inequality, with particular focus on children, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples in Canada. His work is widely cited across the social sciences, presented as state-of-the-art in the field, and has significantly shaped economic policy in Canada and internationally.

Kirsten Zickfeld – Department of Geography

Kirsten Zickfeld is an SFU Distinguished Professor and a leading climate scientist recognized globally for her work on net zero and carbon budgets. A contributor to multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, she has led research foundational to our modern understanding of how cumulative carbon dioxide emissions from human activities determine the magnitude of global warming. Her groundbreaking research informs international climate policy, with a focus on strategies to mitigate long-term climate impacts and meet climate goals.

Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor – School of Resource and Environmental Management

Cisneros-Montemayor is a global leader in ocean and fisheries economics, whose work is grounded in a deep commitment to environmental and social justice. As deputy director of the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, he works with coastal communities to co-develop sustainable practices and advocate for an equitable Blue Economy. His work bridges multiple disciplines to shape inclusive ocean futures worldwide, benefiting both people and ecosystems.

Amy Parent – Faculty of Education

Amy Parent, Noxs Ts'aawit of the Nisg̱a'a Nation, and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance and Education, led an award-winning rematriation project and methodology that sparked public pedagogy through research. She advances Indigenous-led research governance nationally and internationally through leadership roles with the Tri-Council and as a UNESCO Co-Chair. She models heart-centred research, advocacy, and mentorship, guided by the Nisga'a Saytk'il̓hlw̓ o'osim̓ (Common Bowl) principle, which upholds unity, relational responsibility, reciprocity and collective well-being.

Samira Siahrostami – Department of Chemistry

Canada Research Chair Samira Siahrostami is a computational chemist specializing in the design of advanced nanomaterials for sustainable energy conversion and chemical transformations. Her research combines quantum mechanical simulations, computational modeling, and data-driven approaches to discover and optimize next-generation materials that enable cleaner, more efficient electrochemical processes. By accelerating the development of high-performance materials, her work advances clean energy technologies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to the transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Read the full announcement from the Royal Society of Canada.

To suggest a candidate for the 2027 Royal Society of Canada nominations, please contact Institutional Strategic Awards at awards@sfu.ca.

The Government of Canada's Research Support Fund (RSF) supports with funding for staff who help SFU researchers increase success, reduce administrative burden, and make it possible for the university and SFU faculty to successfully compete for the most significant and prestigious grants, prizes and awards available. This includes staff from the Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA) office and faculty-based grant facilitators.