Three McMaster professors have been welcomed as fellows into the Royal Society of Canada. This brings to 55 the number of McMaster professors in the Society.

Deborah Cook, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jeff Galef (Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour), and David Wilkinson, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, will be inducted at a ceremony to be held November 28 at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que.

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada is the country's oldest and most prestigious scholarly organization. Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, and are singled out for achieving excellence in their fields.

Deborah Cook is a prolific, world-renowned scientist and educator in critical care medicine and research methodology. She has advanced scientific knowledge in numerous ways, most notably in the prevention and management of the often lethal problems of deep venous thrombosis and pneumonia among critically ill patients. Her medical discoveries have saved many lives and are used around the world. She has also been a pioneer in compassionate and ethical end-of-life care. Cook holds a senior Canada Research Chair and has received local, provincial, national and international awards for her research, teaching and leadership.

Bennett (Jeff) Galef is widely regarded as the 'father' of the field of social learning in animals. During 40 years of exceptional research creativity, Galef introduced major research paradigms, mentored researchers, and produced an extensive body of well-cited publications. His vast contributions led to being named Fellow of key academic societies, election as president of the Animal Behaviour Society, and appointment as the executive editor of his field's flagship journal Animal Behaviour.

David Wilkinson is recognized internationally as a leader in the science and technology of solid materials. Over the past three decades, his fundamental studies of the different levels of structure of metallic, ceramic and composite materials and their related properties have contributed to the understanding of advanced engineering materials. Through his personal research, his service to the Canadian and international academic and industrial communities, and through his innovative role as an educator, Wilkinson has played a major part in the advancement of the discipline of Materials Science and Engineering.