Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui named recipient of the 2021 CAN Young Investigator Award
Each year the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) recognizes outstanding research achievements and contributions by neuroscientists in the early stages of their research career, who demonstrate the potential to become established experts in thier field. Candidates are nominated by members of the Association and the winner is chosen by the CAN Nominations Committee. This year, CAN awarded the 2021 Young Investigator Award to Dr. Tabrez J. Siddiqui, Principal Investigator at the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine and Associate Professor in Physiology and Pathophsyiology at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Siddiqui has already made significant research contributions in the area of neuronal development and synaptic physiology. His research is centered on identifying the mechanisms that govern the development, organization, and function of synapses, and how these processes are affected in neurological disorders. Most recently, his team has broadened our understanding of synaptic development by identifying leucine-rich repeat transmembrane proteins (LRRTMs) and neurexins as key synaptic organizers. Ongoing work further explores the role of these proteins in autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and vision loss, with an emphasis on establishing LRRTMs and neurexins as potential molecular targets for the treatment of these conditions.
Dr. Siddiqui’s research has been widely recognized by numerous funding agencies, including CIHR, NSERC, Research Manitoba, and the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation. In addition to his impactful research, he is also an outstanding and esteemed Advisor, mentor and teacher. His trainees are prolific in the lab and highly competitive for awards, having successfully won several competitions. He has also been nominated for various teaching awards. While developing his early career, Dr. Siddiqui has also been exceedingly active with community outreach through the Manitoba Neuroscience Network. Most notably, he has served as a panelist for the University of Manitoba Café Scientifique, provided microscopy demonstrations during the Winnipeg Brain Bee, and collaborated with local artists to create artwork for the Neurocraft Exhibit.
For the full feature from CAN, click below.
| Contributor | —Crystal Acosta |