Drs. Ángela Cánovas and Javed Sidiqi named Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists
Improving animal health and strengthening food systems are the goals of two University of Guelph researchers who have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
Dr. Ángela Cánovas, professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and Dr. Javed Sidiqi, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS) have been named Members of the RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
Election to the College is a prestigious national honour, recognizing emerging leaders for outstanding early-career achievements and their potential to advance knowledge that benefits Canada and society through research and scholarship.
“Drs. Cánovas and Sidiqi are tomorrow’s leaders in improving animal health, agricultural productivity and crop resilience in a changing environment,” says Dr. Mazyar Fallah, vice-president, research and innovation. “Their work exemplifies U of G’s commitment to ground-breaking research that creates lasting impact – in this case, helping to build more resilient and sustainable food systems. We are thrilled to see this recognition of their excellence and emerging leadership.”
Cánovas and Sidiqi are among 54 new College Members welcomed this year. New College Members and Fellows will be formally inducted at the RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement Nov. 12-15 in Ottawa.
Dr. Ángela Cánovas
Cánovas is an award-winning scholar, professor in beef cattle and small ruminant genomics and OAC Research Chair in Phenomics and Systems Biology at U of G. A globally recognized leader in livestock genomics, her internationally renowned research program integrates multi-omics data and advanced analytical and big-data tools to improve animal health, productivity and sustainability.
Her research combines genomic and biological data to address interconnected challenges in animal health, welfare, agricultural productivity and the environmental sustainability of livestock production. By bridging genomic science with real-world applications, her work translates complex genomic insights into solutions for practical farming needs, supporting producers and food systems, advancing food security, and helping shape the future of agri-genomics in Canada and worldwide.
Cánovas is a dedicated mentor and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM. She recently completed her term as president of the Canadian Society of Animal Science, currently serving as past-president.
Dr. Javed Sidiqi
Sidiqi is a postdoctoral researcher whose work integrates plant breeding and environmental science to explore how to make crops and food systems more resilient to climate change.
Before arriving at U of G, Sidiqi helped direct a national wheat breeding program in Afghanistan where he trained fellow researchers and led a technical support team for wheat improvement. His current research focuses on wheat breeding and strengthening food systems to advance food security under changing environmental conditions.
Sidiqi has worked and studied in multiple countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, the U.S. and Canada where he learned to bring adaptability, cross-cultural collaboration and resilience to complex research challenges. During his graduate studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he was a Fulbright Scholar and member of the agronomy club.