Faculty of Arts and Science researcher Robert Ross.
Three Queen's researchers elected to the Royal Society of Canada
Three Queen’s researchers will join the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), bringing expertise in operations research, exercise science, and educational assessment.
Robert Ross (School of Kinesiology and Health Studies) and Vedat Verter (Smith School of Business) have been elected Fellows, while Christopher DeLuca (Faculty of Education) has been elected to the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists.
The RSC is a national organization that recognizes leading researchers, artists, and thinkers across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. This year, 105 individuals were elected Fellows and 54 were elected to the RSC College. Fellows are elected for their career achievements and hold membership for life, while the College recognizes mid-career leaders, who serve seven-year terms.
“Recognition like this is a moment to celebrate the people behind the research and the curiosity, commitment, and collaboration that have shaped their work throughout their careers,” says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). “Their achievements also reflect the breadth of research at Queen’s and the many ways our researchers advance their fields and contribute to society.”
Recognition as RSC Fellows
Dr. Ross has built his career around understanding how physical activity and nutrition can prevent and manage chronic disease. Large, randomized trials he led showed that exercise can reduce abdominal obesity and insulin resistance with or without weight loss, helping change how researchers and health professionals understand the benefits of physical activity.
"From a personal perspective, I think this honor recognizes the extraordinary contributions of the many graduate and undergraduate students who have been part of our research group over the years. Their hard work and dedication have enabled us, together, to make meaningful contributions to our field," Dr. Ross says. "Professionally, I believe this recognition reflects the importance the Royal Society of Canada places on exercise science and the role it can play in developing strategies designed to prevent and manage chronic disease."
Dr. Ross has also helped bring that evidence into clinical and public-health guidance. He led an American Heart Association scientific statement on assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical practice and chaired the development of Canada’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for adults, which combine recommendations for physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep.
Dr. Verter’s election as a Fellow follows more than three decades of research using management analytics to address problems in health care, environmental safety, sustainability, and humanitarian operations. His early work on hazardous materials transportation helped develop methods to assess risk, and design safer transportation networks.
Joining the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists
Dr. DeLuca was elected to the RSC College for his research on educational assessment and its role in shaping student learning and experiences in the classroom. His work examines how assessment can move beyond traditional tests and grades to support learning, inclusion, and student agency.
The RSC will induct its 2026 Fellows and College members on Nov. 13 at its annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Ottawa.
Learn more about the Royal Society of Canada’s 2026 Fellows and College members.