Emerging Leader in Neonatology Award
The Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Section has established the Emerging Leader in Neonatology Award in 2012 to recognize the achievements or initiatives of neonatologists early in their professional career.
The award is presented during the CPS Annual Conference and the recipient receives a commemorative award at a dinner in their honour.
Awarded every other year, the next award will be presented in 2027.
Current recipient(s): Dr. Lara Leijser
Dr. Lara Leijser is receiving the CPS Emerging Leader in Neonatology Award for outstanding research work in neonatal neurology. After completing graduate degrees in biomedical sciences and medicine in the U.K. and The Netherlands, then graduate and research fellowship programs in the The Netherlands and Canada, Dr. Leijser joined the department of paediatrics in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She was already a recognized clinician-scientist dedicated to improving outcomes for preterm newborns, and immediately undertook a research program the combines infant brain monitoring and imaging with clinical observations and predictive biochemical markers to increase understanding of preterm brain injury and related neurodevelopmental outcomes. Dr. Leijser’s goals are to inform new neuroprotective strategies and optimize brain health and lifelong neurological outcomes for preterm infants, ultimately to the benefit of overall family health and well-being. She has published extensively, won several prestigious medical and teaching awards, and led multiple studies alongside work in three Calgary NICUS. Dr. Leijser is building bridges between researchers and clinicians, translating knowledge gains into clinical practice, transforming research in her field, and inspiring her colleagues and peers to improve newborn care.
Nominations
The candidate:
- Is a CPS and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Section member in good standing,
- Has completed fellowship training within the last 10 years,
- Holds a hospital staff appointment,
- Has already achieved, and has demonstrated potential for further achievement, in one or more domains of endeavour: research, education, clinical innovation or administration, and
- Has contributed to improving the care of neonates and their families in Canada and/or internationally.
Submissions
Nominations are submitted using the online submission form and include:
- A nomination letter from a member of the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Section, describing how long the nominator has known the nominee, in what capacity, and explaining why this nominee stands out. Maximum 3 pages.
- The nominee’s updated curriculum vitae. Maximum 3 pages.
Submit your nominations using the Submit Nomination button.
Past recipients
Dr. Yasser Elsayed
Dr. Khorshid Mohammad
Dr. Pia Wintermark
Dr. Paige Terrien Church
Dr. Chloe Joynt
Dr. Patrick McNamara
Dr. Prakesh Shah
Last updated: May 6, 2025