The Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada’s national academy, has announced its 2026 Class of Fellows and College Members, recognizing distinguished scholars, artists and scientists from across the country.
Among this year’s honourees is Dr. Megan Levings, a faculty member in UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) and Department of Surgery, who has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada—one of Canada’s highest honours for scholarly achievement.
Dr. Levings is an internationally recognized pioneer in the study of regulatory T cells (Tregs), immune cells that play a critical role in controlling the body’s immune response. Her research has helped advance the field toward using Tregs as cellular therapies for immune-mediated diseases.
A major focus of her work is engineering Tregs to improve their specificity and function, expanding their potential as targeted treatments. Her research has also led to important biomarker discoveries that provide insights into immune-mediated diseases and help guide the interpretation of clinical trials. Together, these contributions reflect Dr. Levings’ commitment to translating fundamental discoveries in immunology into next-generation therapies.
Dr. Levings is one of nine UBC faculty members elected as RSC Fellows in 2026. An additional incoming UBC faculty member has also been elected a Fellow, while three UBC faculty members have been named to the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, which recognizes mid-career leaders for their expertise, innovation and contributions across disciplines.
Dr. Levings’ election highlights the impact of interdisciplinary research at the School of Biomedical Engineering, where engineering, medicine and the life sciences come together to address complex health challenges.
The 2026 Class of Fellows and College Members will be inducted at the RSC’s annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Ottawa this November.
Read UBC’s announcement here: https://research.ubc.ca/news/september-9-2026/twelve-ubc-faculty-members-elected-royal-society-canada
Read the Royal Society of Canada Announcement here: https://rsc-src.ca/en/news/announcement-2026-class-fellows-and-college-members