York University Professor Ellen Bialystok, who was awarded the prestigious Killam Prize for outstanding career achievement last April, will receive her award from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony in Ottawa on December 14.

Bialystok, a Distinguished Research Professor in York’s Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, is known internationally for her research on language, bilingualism and cognitive development. She received the award from the Canada Council for the Arts, which administers the Killam Program.

One of the most important research prizes in the world, the $100,000 Killam Prize is annually awarded to five eminent Canadian scholars for their distinction in health sciences, engineering, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Bialystok was recognized for her work in the social sciences category. Bialystok is the only woman to be recognized this year.

The full announcement and event details are available on the Governor General's website.

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer.