Speaking at: HRC2026

Position: Professor
Location: Calgary, CA

Dr Robert Sheldon received his PhD in Molecular Biology with Joe Kates at the University of Colorado in 1973 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in genetics with Sydney Brenner in 1976, then received an MD from the University of Toronto in 1981. He is a cardiac arrhythmia specialist and Professor of Cardiac Sciences, Medicine, and Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary. Over the course of his career, he has held other significant leadership roles including the Senior Vice President Research, Alberta Health Services and Associate Dean Clinical Research, University of Calgary. He served on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Governing Council and its committees for 9 years. He is a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society, Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

His research program is in cardiovascular autonomic physiology and its disorders, including vasovagal syncope. It has a strong translational orientation aimed at understanding the causes of syncope, and developing simple, accessible, and effective approaches to its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. His efforts in this field were recognized by Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, UK Arrhythmia Alliance, and Canadian Heart Rhythm Society, and Mentor Award of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Despite these, his happiest and proudest moments are helping and watching younger colleagues flourish and grow in medicine, education, and research. Some of his mentees are just beginning their careers while others have retired. Mentoring has been a lifelong passion.