Dr. William A. Catterall, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Washington, has been named one of the international award winners of the Canada Gairdner Award for groundbreaking medical research behind cancer, epilepsy and heart disease and malaria treatments. Since the inception of the award in 1959, one in four Gairdner Award winners has gone on to win the Nobel Prize. According to Dr. John Dirks, President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation, "These awards pay tribute to the passion, dedication and vision that drive these extraordinary individuals to push the boundaries of medical science."

Molecular Pharmacology.

Dr. Catterall was recognized for his discovery of the voltage-gated sodium channel and calcium channel proteins that the brain uses to receive, process and send information. His work led to a new understanding of how these proteins work, leading to epilepsy medication for uncontrolled electrical activity. In addition this research could lead the way to improved treatments for chronic pain and abnormal heart rhythms. He will receive his award in October.  Dr. Catterall is a past editor of