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Spain Honours Andres Lozano

Lozano Family
Alexander, Marie, Christopher and Andres Lozano (left to right)

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.

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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