This award is offered annually.
View key dates for all CSMB awards here
Dr. Jeanne Manery Fisher, was a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto and was both an outstanding biochemist, and a remarkable educator. Dr. Fisher was instrumental in creating the CSMB’s Equal Opportunity Committee and advocated tirelessly for women to be recognized as equals in science. This award recognizes a Canadian scientist who identifies as a woman and who has demonstrated inclusive excellence across a breadth of activities including research, teaching and mentorship, leadership and outreach. The CSMB concurs with the tri-councils that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges and therefore this award recognizes those who have contributed to a more inclusive scientific enterprise by recognizing and removing barriers to full engagement in science by historically excluded groups (women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community).
Jeanne Manery Fisher: https://sce.library.utoronto.ca/index.php?title=Fisher,_Jeanne_Manery
Tri-agency Statement on EDI: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/EDI-EDI/index_eng.asp
Note that nominations can be made for the same individual for this award and the Canadian Science Publishing Senior Investigator Award. If the same nominee is the top ranked candidate in both award categories (CSP & JMF), they must select their preferred award to receive. The next ranked candidate will receive the award in the other category.
(1) Evaluation criteria
- A record of Excellence in Research – 3 points
Nominees will have evidence of a strong record of research with significant contributions in the field(s) of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and/or Genetics.
Significant contributions can include (but are not limited to) peer-reviewed publications, presentations, intellectual property, other knowledge translation activities, etc., Awards, degrees, credentials, etc., clinical practice, policy development, specialized training, strategic employment positions, etc.
- A record of Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship – 3 points
Excellence in teaching and mentorship can include (but is not limited to) evidence of educational leadership (leading significant transformation in teaching and learning at an institutional, disciplinary, community, and/or societal level) as well as effective approaches to inclusive and universal design in teaching and experiential learning. Teaching excellence may also be demonstrated by the creation of exceptional learning environments through inclusive and/or universal design, innovative discipline-specific pedagogies, creative approaches to professional development and mentoring for next generation scientists and activities that maximize learning outcomes for all levels of members of the academy and society.
Taken from criteria for the 3M fellowship, (https://www.stlhe.ca/the-criteria-for-the-3m-fellowship/)).
- Excellence in Science leadership – 3 points
Evidence for excellence in science leadership can include (but is not limited to) academic leadership in science (as a director, dean, division leader, major project lead, etc.), deep engagement in communities of practice (e.g. science societies at the institutional, regional, national or international level), sustained engagement with policymakers (local, provincial, federal) and decision making bodies (e.g. serving and contributing to boards and councils in a capacity as a scientific leader, serving on advisory committees to government, industry, education, policy-makers in a capacity as an expert scientist, etc.)
- Excellence in promotion of EDI&A in sciences (2 points)
Evidence for excellence in the promotion of EDI&A in the sciences can include (but is not limited to) development of and/or participation in programming or specific activities that support the advancement of historically excluded communities in the sciences. These groups are defined by Canadian Employment Equity Act as women, visible minorities, people with disabilities and Aboriginal peoples. In addition, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community have historically been excluded in the sciences and an intersectional approach to support for marginalized communities is considered a particular strength in a nomination. Excellence may also be demonstrated by participating in activities that address institutional barriers and shift organizational cultures at local, regional or national scales. In addition, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community have historically been excluded in the sciences and an intersectional approach to support for marginalized communities is considered a particular strength in a nomination. Excellence may also be demonstrated by participating in activities that address institutional barriers and shift organizational cultures at local, regional or national scales. Discussion of evidence of impact and outcomes is encouraged in this section.
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/_doc/EDI/Guide_for_Applicants_EN.pdf
- Outreach – 1 point
Evidence for excellence in outreach can include (but is not limited to) activities that seek to increase a public understanding of science through engagement across any media and mechanism (e.g. books, talks, science fairs, videos, etc.). Excellence in outreach may also be demonstrated by coordinated and sustained engagement and/or leadership in science communication activities, across diverse demographics, and through various media (traditional print/on-line, social media, etc.)
Criteria informed by RCIS https://www.rciscience.ca/the-sandford-fleming-medal-citation
The nominee must have a distinguished career in the field of biomolecular sciences (Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or Genetics) and must have demonstrated exceptional teaching, leadership and/or contributions to the broader community. The Jeanne Manery Fisher award will also recognize those who have actively mentored or promoted equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the sciences.
(2) Eligibility
The nominee must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen and identify as a woman. There are no age or experience restrictions. The nominee must have lived in Canada and have worked at a Canadian research institute for the last 10 years as a senior investigator (defined by 15 years in an independent research position). The nominee and nominator need not be a member of the CSMB. Applicants are strongly encouraged to also apply to the Canadian Science Publishing Senior Investigator Award.
(3) Nomination process
It is preferred that the nominator be at an equal or higher professional rank as the nominee. Chairs/ Heads/ Deans/ Presidents are encouraged to nominate members of their faculty for this prestigious award. Self-nominations will also be considered.
Nominations shall consist of
- a letter from a nominator familiar with the nominee’s work, which summarizes the originality and significance of the nominee’s research and leadership contributions, as well as pertinent biographic data, plus a copy of
- the nominee’s curriculum vitae.
The awardee will deliver a lecture at the CSMB Annual Conference and submit a manuscript or review of their related work/career path for publication in the journals Biochemistry and Cell Biology or Genome and in the CSMB Bulletin. Awardees are encouraged to become CSMB members.
Please address nomination letters to :
Dr. Tarik Möröy
General Secretary of the CSMB
Nominations should be submitted via the following form:
Updated 2024-02-27
Previous winners of this award
| 2023 | Ute Kohte |
| 2022 | Kristin Baetz |
| 2021 | Trang Hoang |
| 2020 | Susan Cole |
| 2019 | Anne-Claude Gingras |
| 2017 | Brenda Andrews |
| 2014 | Susan Lees-Miller |
| 2012 | Julie Forman-Kay |
| 2010 | Cheryl Arrowsmith |
| 2008 | Katherine Siminovitch |
| 2006 | Frances Sharom |
| 2004 | Morag Park |
| 2002 | Mona Nemer |
| 2000 | Amira Klip |
| 2000 | Carol Cass |
| 1998 | Rhoda Blostein |
| 1996 | Nicole Bégin-Heick |
| 1994 | Shirley Gillam |
| 1991 | Rose Johnstone |
| 1988 | Rose Shenin |
