Bruce Sells

Biography

 Dr. Bruce Sells has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McGill University. Dr. Sells took his first research appointment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital when it opened in 1962. During the 10 years he spent at St. Jude he pioneered an investigation into the biogenesis of ribosome particles and subsequently published 110 papers related to the subject. While working as Professor and Director at Memorial University, Bruce established Molecular Biology in its medical school and was Associate Dean of Basic Medical Sciences from 1979-83. During his 11 years at Memorial he was awarded a Senior Killam Fellowship to study at the Université de Paris. In 1982, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was President of the Canadian Bio-chemistry Society. Bruce also served on numerous National Committees, including the Medical Research Council (MRC), where he was a member of Council, the National Cancer Institute, the Royal Society of Canada, the Arthritis Society, National Research Council Subcommittee on Biological Phenomena and the Selection Panel for the Steacie Award. In 1983, Bruce moved his research group to become Dean of Biological Science at the University of Guelph, a position he held until his mandatory retirement in 1995. In 1989, he was a co-founder of the Association of Canadian Deans of Science, and received an MRC Visiting Scientist Award to study at the Institut Pasteur. During his academic career, Bruce trained over 50 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. He graduated his final Ph.D. student in 2000. Bruce’s dedication and service to science did not stop at retirement. In April 1999, he accepted the position of Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (CFBS), a position he has immersed himself in as an active “volunteer”, accepting expenses in lieu of salary. With his tremendous scientific, academic and administrative experience, Bruce has led the ongoing and highly effective advocacy activities of CFBS, and has guided the organization through a period of major change, including office operations and the format and thematic approach to its Annual Scientific Meeting.

Research Interest

 Biochemistry, Medical Sciences