For Miller, the honour is a milestone for neonatal neuroscience and the developing baby brain, something his practice and research has focused on.
“I’m often told that dealing with children’s health doesn’t matter as much as adult’s health. If we want healthier adults, lifelong health starts in childhood, as a baby,” Miller says. “The Royal Society recognizes significant contributions to science in Canada. And this honour puts the importance of the baby brain on the Canadian map.”
“Children in British Columbia are 20 per cent of our population but they are 100 per cent of our future,” Miller says.
Miller explains that the honour belongs to more than just him.
“This recognition is about ‘team science’,” he says. “I am fortunate to have such wonderful collaborators across disciplines and across career stages, including great trainees.”
This is the second time in his career that Miller has worked at BCCH. He practiced here from 2005 to 2012. He was head of neurology and the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health at SickKids in Toronto. Then in April 2022 he moved back to the coast to take on the chief of pediatrics position.
“The work being recognized by the Royal Society is work that emerged from collaborations here, with people like Ruth Grunau and Tim Oberlander. A major motivator to return to BC Children’s is because this is such a special place. The culture of collaboration here is remarkable.”
