York University Professor David Hood's pioneering research on muscle physiology and metabolism has earned him the Canadian Physiological Society's (CPS) highest honour, the Sarrazin Award.
Hood, whose career at York began in 1988, has made significant contributions to the understanding of muscle physiology and metabolism through his research on the synthesis and turnover of mitrochondria; in other words, he studies how muscles produce and recycle energy, how exercise affects muscles and how cells stay healthy.
The Sarrazin Award was created in 1976 and is named after Canada's first scientist and physiologist, Michel Sarrazin. Each year, the award recognizes a top researcher who has demonstrated innovation and productivity in physiology. Winners are also invited to give the Sarrazin Lecture at the CPS Annual Meeting, which this year takes place in April in Baltimore, MD.
"Receiving the Sarrazin Award is a tremendous honour and a testament to the collaborative efforts of my trainees and colleagues at York University," says Hood. "This recognition underscores the importance of our research in understanding the effects of exercise on muscle physiology and metabolism, and it motivates us to continue exploring how these processes impact overall health and well-being."
As the founding director of the Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) at York University, Hood has dedicated decades to studying the synthesis of mitochondria and musculature.
His recent work has focused on the role of lysosomes in the removal of worn-out mitochondria, a process crucial for maintaining cellular health and function. This research has advanced the understanding of how cells manage and recycle their components, which is vital for muscle health and overall metabolism.
His work at the MHRC emphasizes the importance of skeletal muscle to overall health and well-being, exploring areas such as muscle development, disease, metabolism and adaptation to exercise.
“Among Dr. Hood’s many lifetime contributions, his work helps us better understand the role of mitochondrial function in muscle health – a key determinant of performance, but also quality of life, independence and chronic disease in aging,” says Chris Ardern, interim dean, Faculty of Health. “He is known as a dedicated and generous mentor whose impact can be seen in support of the next generation of industry, clinical and academic leaders.”
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Hood served as a three-term Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Canada Research Chair in Cell Physiology from 2003-24. He has published close to 200 papers and book chapters, and more than 260 abstracts. He is a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health at York University.
Among his multiple awards and recognitions, Hood is a recipient of Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Honour Award (2010) for his contributions to the field of exercise physiology in Canada, the York University Faculty of Health Established Career Teaching Award (2013) and the Adam Barsky Lectureship on Mitochondrial Diseases, Hospital for Sick Children (2014).
Hood is the second York researcher to receive this recognition; in 2016, the Sarrazin Lectureship was awarded to Professor Doug Crawford.