Spain Honours Andres Lozano
Alexander, Marie, Christopher and Andres Lozano (left to right)
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Dr. Andres Lozano was awarded the Order of Spain for Meritorious Civil Service,
one of Spain's highest civilian honours, in a ceremony at the Spanish Embassy in
Ottawa on November 9, 2007. This Order was conferred by the Spanish Ambassador on
behalf of His Majesty, Juan Carlos I of Spain, and recognizes Andres' work in developing
surgical procedures for Parkinson's disease and depression and for educational and
scientific collaborations between Spain and Canada.
Andres was born in Spain and immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of
2 ½. A graduate of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine in 1983, Dr. Lozano
underwent Neurosurgical Training at McGill University and became a Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1990. During his residency
in Montreal, Dr. Lozano earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine. He joined the
Neurosurgical Staff at the Toronto Western Hospital in 1991, and is currently Professor
in the Department of Surgery and the inaugural Ron Tasker Chair in Stereotactic
and Functional Neurosurgery.
A current Tier I Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience, Dr. Lozano's research pursuits
are collectively aimed at identifying and characterizing neurons and brain circuits
involved in neurological disorders, along with developing new neurosurgical treatments
to restore normal brain function. This work ranges from uncovering the molecular
underpinnings of neurodegenerative disease in the wet lab to evaluating novel therapies
in the operating room.
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Some of his most recent efforts are directed at identifying
new targets for deep brain stimulation in medically-refractory major depression.
Over the years his efforts have produced many fruitful collaborations both within
the University of Toronto and on a global level, and have resulted in the supervision
and guidance of numerous successful doctoral and post-doctoral students. Physicians
and scientist from all over the world including Spanish neurosurgeons, have come
to Toronto to train and collaborate in these projects.
As a recognized worldwide leader in the field of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery,
Andres has held several prominent positions in organized neurosurgery including
President of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. He
also holds editorial positions with multiple neurosurgical journals and serves in
numerous advisory roles with governmental and non-governmental organizations, including
the National Institutes of Health and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research. One of his most important achievements is the training of a new generation
of functional neurosurgeons from across the globe who come to Toronto to learn from
his insight and expertise and who have gone on to become leaders in this field.
During rare escapes from his hectic schedule, Andres and his wife Marie enjoy travelling
the globe with their proudest achievements, sons Alexander and Christopher, ages
12 and 13.
The Meritorious Civil Service Order of Spain was instituted by royal decree in 1926.
Its explicit purpose is to recognize extraordinary contributions of resident and
foreign Spanish citizens towards the good of the Nation of Spain.
Scellig Stone
Neurosurgery Resident
and graduate student with Dr. Lozano
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