If Keith Yeates had followed through with his initial career planto become a lawyerthe world would have missed out on one of the leading researchers of our time in the field of paediatric traumatic brain injury and concussion.
"Careers often don't turn out as planned," says Dr. Yeates, PhD, RPsych. "I offer this advice to my trainees so they'll be open to the unexpected and willing to pursue a broad range of course work."
As one of five outstanding University of Calgary professors receiving the Killam Annual Professorship for excellence in research and teaching this year, Yeates is as deeply committed to making an impact on the training and careers of his students as he is to advancing health outcomes through his scientific research.
"I encourage trainees to be open to unforeseen opportunities, because I've had many instances of serendipity in my career, where prospects I didn't expect and wasn't looking for came along. And when I took advantage of them, I discovered they were interesting and exciting paths to take. If you get too focused on your own plan, you might miss some really interesting experiences," he says.
The most highly published author in his field over the past decade, Yeates has published 265 peer-reviewed journal articles, written 42 book chapters, and edited or co-authored five books. His research has influenced the clinical care of childhood brain disorders, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI), by helping to increase knowledge about brain-behaviour relationships and how they can be affected by brain disorder or injury in children. Yeates's research has also influenced the care that children and their families receive after acquired brain injuries.
