Dr. Gina R. Rayat, a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Alberta completed her B.Sc. degree at the University of Winnipeg in 1987, an M.Sc. degree at the University of Manitoba in 1992, a Ph.D. degree at the University of Alberta in 1999, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2002. She was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery in 2003 and was appointed Associate Professor in 2009. Dr. Rayat is the Director of the Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute since 2012. She was the Chair of the Science Committee of the Canadian Transplantation Society and an elected council member of the Xenotransplantation Association. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board for Xenotransplantation, OBM Transplantation and Biomedicines. Dr. Rayat recently received the University of Alberta Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.