OTTAWA, September 4, 2025 — Peter Liu, MD, a globally recognized cardiologist and scientist at the Ottawa Heart Institute, has been named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), one of the nation’s highest academic honours.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Liu’s trailblazing work unraveling the mysteries of heart failure and inflammation, research that is shaping the future of cardiovascular care in Canada and around the world.
A professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa and former chief scientific officer at the Ottawa Heart Institute, Dr. Liu has led groundbreaking studies that uncovered how viruses invade heart tissue and spark damaging inflammation, accelerating heart failure. His current work is revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment by harnessing cutting-edge biomarker technology—tools that detect early biological signs of heart disease—to catch it sooner and tailor therapies to individual patients.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Liu serves as co-scientific director of the University of Ottawa’s Brain Heart Interconnectome, a transformative interdisciplinary initiative poised to revolutionize the study, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain and heart conditions.
“This honour from the Royal Society of Canada recognizes the fundamental importance of innovation and application of new knowledge to solve compelling problems in cardiovascular sciences,” said Dr. Peter Liu. “As we look to the future, we must continue to accelerate discoveries that can change the course of heart and brain conditions so that every Canadian and patients worldwide can benefit.”
“Dr. Peter Liu’s election to the Royal Society of Canada underscores the exceptional talent driving innovation at the Ottawa Heart Institute,” said Katey Rayner, PhD, chief scientific officer and vice president of research at the Ottawa Heart Institute. “His pioneering work is setting new standards in cardiovascular research and patient care.”
The Royal Society of Canada, which recognizes the country’s top scholars, artists, and scientists, will formally induct Dr. Liu into the RSC at a ceremony this November in Montréal.
Dr. Liu’s election represents a major milestone both in his career and in reinforcing the Ottawa Heart Institute’s role as a world leader in combating cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in Canada.
For interview requests or further information, please contact the media liaison below.
Media contact
Leigh B. Morris
Communications Officer
Ottawa Heart Institute
613-316-6409 (cell)
lmorris@ottawaheart.ca