Trainee: Dr. Jeffrey Wong, University of British Columbia
Supervisor: Dr. Chelsea Elwood
Publication: Antepartum vs postpartum amoxicillin oral challenge in pregnant patients with a reported penicillin allergy: A two-center prospective cohort study
Juan A. Embil Trainee Award for Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research
Established in memoriam by his wife, Lourdes, and his son Dr. John M. Embil, this award commemorates the senior Dr. Embil (1923-94), and has been awarded continuously since 2002.
Dr. Juan A. Embil held the positions of Professor of Microbiology and Community Health and Epidemiology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University. His research included numerous studies on cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, hepatitis B, arboviruses and a multitude of other pathogens and clinical conditions observed in the Atlantic provinces.
The prize in his name (consisting of a cash award and a commemorative plaque) is offered to current or recent trainees whose published work will have a far-reaching and durable impact on the health of Canadians.
Eligibility:
- Be enrolled in a two-year Infectious Diseases Training Program at a Canadian University or within one year of completing their Infectious Diseases training
- Have completed their research project during their 2 year Infectious Diseases Training Program
- Have a manuscript published, or submitted for publication, that stems from their research
Application:
Applications are due no later than January 30, 2026.
2024 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Anthony Lieu
Dr. Anthony Lieu is a recently dual board-certified infectious diseases and medical microbiologist physician. He completed his fellowship training at the University of Calgary and McGill University, respectively. He is currently completing a clinical fellowship in immunocompromised host infectious diseases at Stanford University. His research interests include diagnostics in immunocompromised hosts, with a focus on molecular tools and medical mycology, particularly with invasive fungal infections.
2023 Embil Trainee Award: no applicants
2022 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Jennifer Losie
Trainee: Dr. Jennifer Losie, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Michael D. Parkins, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Calgary Zone Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary
Publication: Manuscript published in BMC Infectious Diseases in 2021entitled Epidemiology and risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess in the Calgary Health Zone revisited: a population-based study”
Link to manuscript: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-021-06649-9
2019 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Ling Kong
Trainee: Dr. Ling Kong, Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Vivian Loo, McGill University
Publication: Manuscript published in Clinical Infectious Diseases in 2019, entitled “Clostridium difficile: Investigating transmission patterns between infected and colonized patients using whole genome sequencing”
2018 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Sylvain Lother
Trainee: Dr. Sylvain Lother MD, FRCPC, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Supervisor: Dr. Yoav Keynan, M.D, PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Publication: Lother SA, Demczuk W, Martin I et al. Clonal Clusters and Virulence Factors of Group C and G Streptococcus Causing Severe Infections, Manitoba, Canada, 2012-2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017;23(7):1079-1088
2017 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Matthew P. Cheng
Trainee: Dr. Matthew P. Cheng, Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, PQ
Supervisor: Dr. Christina Greenway, Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital and McGill University. Montreal, PQ
Publication: Cheng MP, Chakra CNA, Yansouni CP et al. Risk of Active Tuberculosis in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2017;64(5):635-644
2016 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Allison Mah
Trainee: Dr. Allison Mah, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia
Supervisor: Dr. David M. Patrick, Director, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Publication: McKay R, Mah A, Law M, McGrail K, Patrick DM. 2016. Systematic review of factors associated with antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. doi:10.1128/AAC.00209-16, published online May 2, 2016.
2015 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Derek R. MacFadden
Trainee: Dr. Derek R. MacFadden, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto. Current Affiliation, Harvard University
Supervisor: Dr. Nick Daneman, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto
Publication: MacFadden DR, Ridgway JP, Robicsek A, Elligsen M, Daneman N. 2014. Predictive utility of prior positive urine cultures. Clin Infect Dis. 59(9):1265-71.
2014 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Jerome A. Leis
Trainee: Dr. Jerome A. Leis, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Allison McGeer and Dr. Wayne L. Gold, University of Toronto
Publication: Leis JA et al. Reducing antimicrobial therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria among noncatheterized inpatients: A proof-of-concept study. CID 2014 Feb 26 [Epub ahead of print].
2012 Embil Trainee Award: Dr. Cecilia T. Costiniuk
Trainee: Dr. Cecilia T. Costiniuk
Supervisor: Dr. Jonathan B. Angel, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital – General Campus
Publication: Costiniuk CT et al. Circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels are not reduced in HIV-infected men. J Infect Dis 2012;205:713-717
Previous Embil Trainee Recipients
- 2011 Dr. Yoav Keynan (University of Manitoba)
- 2010 Dr. Donald Vinh (NIH, Bethesda; University of Manitoba)
- 2009 Not awarded
- 2008 Dr. Andrea Boggild (University of Toronto)
- 2007 Dr. Tom Szakacs (University of Ottawa)
- 2006 Dr. Duncan Webster (Dalhausie University)
- 2005 Dr. Andrea Boggild (University of Toronto)
- 2004 Dr. Patrick Tang (University of Toronto)
- 2003 Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh (McGill University)
- 2002 Dr. Deepali Kumar (University of Toronto)