U of M Distinguished Professor receives honorary doctorate from Serbian university

Dr. Naranjan S. Dhalla with Honorary Doctorate diploma. // Photo: St. Boniface Hospital Research

Naranjan S. Dhalla, Distinguished Professor of Physiology at the University of Manitoba, and Director of Cardiovascular Developments at St. Boniface Hospital Research, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. The official ceremony was held Feb 28, 2014, at the Rectorate of the University of Kragujevac. The award is Dhalla’s fifth honorary doctorate in addition to four honorary professorships from different institutions around the globe.

The award was presented to Dhalla by university Rector Professor Slobodan Arsenijevic for “outstanding contribution to the development of medical thought and scientific and research work in the field of physiology of the cardiovascular system, and as a token of gratitude for contributions to the development of the University of Kragujevac in this field.”

“I am truly honored,” says Dhalla. “Not only for me, but St-Boniface Hospital Research and the University of Manitoba as well. I am deeply touched by this gesture, and look forward to promoting the excellent work the faculty has done here in the areas of lifestyle and cardiovascular problems.”

Dhalla recently returned from two weeks in his native India, attending conferences in several cities with St-Boniface Hospital Research colleagues Dr. Grant Pierce, Executive Director of Research, St-Boniface Hospital, and Dr. Pawan Singal, Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, also at St-Boniface.

In late January, Dhalla was guest of honour and keynote speaker at the 5th National Conference on Rational Pharmacotherapeutics in Ludhiana, India. During this visit, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Indian Section of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Science.The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, presented an award to him in recognition of his exemplary contributions in science and technology.

The University of Manitoba’s 135th Spring Convocation 2014 happens on May 2, 15, and June 3-5, 9. The 25th annual Graduation Powwow is on May 3.