Dr. David Rosenblatt, Director of the Divisions of Medical Genetics at the Montreal General and Royal Victoria Hospitals, has been elected to the prestigious Académie nationale de médecine in France, one of the highest honours awarded by that country to a physician. Only three other Canadians have been named to the Académie, the last one in 1984.

Professor Rob Myers, of the Department of Physics, was awarded first prize in the annual Gravity Research Foundation essay competition. Previous winners include Steven Hawking and Roger Penrose. This is the second time Professor Myers has won the top prize, a feat accomplished only once before in the competition's 48-year history.

Dr. George Karpati, Director of Neuromuscular Research at the Montreal Neurological Institute, has been chosen to receive the Distinguished Scientist Award by the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation. The CSCI calls him "one of the top clinical scientists in the field of neuromuscular diseases and function in the world."

Dr. Peter Macklem, of the Department of Medicine, has been named the G. Malcolm Brown Lecturer and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation. The first award is made for "excellence in academic or scientific endeavours" and the second is given to an individual "who has contributed significantly to the Canadian scientific community."

Dr. Richard Hamilton, of the Department of Pediatrics, was appointed in June to head Ontario's Provincial Pediatric Task Force. Composed of representatives from 13 Ontario hospitals and universities, the task force will assess the possibilities for program consolidation in low-volume, complex pediatric cases such as specialized surgery and transplantation.

Professor Lynn Butler-Kisber, of the Faculty of Education, and Dr. Margaret Somerville, of the Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law, received YWCA Women of Distinction Awards at a gala dinner at the end of May. Professor Butler-Kisber won in the education category and Dr. Somerville in science and technology. The YWCA awards recognize women for personal achievements, social commitment and contributions to the advancement of women.

Mr. Marcel Couture, Director of the Farm Management and Technology Program, received the prestigious Commandeur du mérite agricole award at this year's annual meeting of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec in August. He is also the new vice-president of the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs.

Dr. Shree Mulay, Director of the McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women, was a joint winner of the Prix Idola St-Jean 1997, which honours exceptional contributions to the women's movement in Quebec.

Professor Don Taylor, of the Department of Psychology, was selected by the Canadian Psychological Association as the 1997 winner of the CPA Education and Training Award, the most prestigious award of its kind conferred by the discipline in Canada.

Mr. Anthony Prisk, a student in the Master of Music program, won first prize in the solo performance category and second prize in the orchestral audition category at the International Trumpet Guild Competition held in Gothenbrg, Sweden last month. Mr. Prisk plays principal trumpet with the McGill Symphony Orchestra.