[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/witelson.jpg” caption=”Sandra Witelson, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, is one of six inductees to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction. File photo.”]Dr. Sandra Witelson, a McMaster University neuroscientist who is renowned for her work studying the brain, was honoured by the City of Hamilton last night when she was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction.

Witelson is one of six individuals who have been chosen for the gallery in honour of their leadership, dedication and talents that have left an indelible mark on the city.

Witelson is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, and holds the Albert Einstein/Irving Zucker Chair in Neuroscience.

She brought international acclaim and distinction to McMaster and Hamilton through her research and study of Albert Einstein's brain, and has published many other studies that have made headlines throughout the world.

She has been in the forefront of controversial research on the biological basis of intelligence, sex differences in the brain and sexual orientation. Her research also looks at differences in language and spatial cognition found in the right and left brain hemispheres.

Last week, results of a study she led were published in which Canadian scientists uncovered new evidence showing genetics has a role to play in determining whether an individual is homosexual or heterosexual.

Witelson is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an active community volunteer on the board of Opera Hamilton and the local Alzheimer's foundation.