Dr. Tami Martino, a professor in the Ontario Veterinary College’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, has been recognized with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Martino, a pioneer in the exploration of circadian rhythm and heart health, received the medal in recognition of her work exploring new treatments for heart disease. In particular, she researches how our body’s internal clocks impact heart health and disease.
The commemorative Coronation Medal is awarded to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their country or province. It is the first Canadian medal to mark a coronation.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal,” Martino says. “This recognition reflects the incredible work of our entire team at the University of Guelph and our national and international partners who are committed to advancing cardiovascular health across Canada. It’s a privilege to contribute to science that has the potential to change lives.”
Recognized for contributions to heart disease research
Martino was nominated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, where she is a career investigator. She joined the University of Guelph in 2009 and founded the Centre for Cardiovascular Investigations in 2015. The centre employs a team of researchers looking into novel ways to diagnose heart disease, advance treatment and train the next generation of scientists.
Heart disease affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians and remains a leading cause of death around the world. Martino’s research has deepened our understanding of how circadian rhythms affect heart health, exploring the impact of how changes to rhythms through things like shift work and time changes can affect heart health and creating a new field: circadian medicine.
“Our research in circadian medicine is transforming how we understand and treat heart disease,” Martino says. “By aligning cardiovascular therapies with the body’s internal circadian clocks, we can improve healing, prevent illness and ultimately help people live longer, healthier lives.”
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.