One of the world's leading HIV/AIDS researchers, who is from Vancouver, will be among this year's recipients of the Killam Prize.

Dr. Julio Montaner is one of five scholars who will receive the $100,000 award, which recognize the careers of Canadian researchers and scientists that have had an impact upon Canadians and the world.

Each year, one prize is awarded in each of the fields of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering.

Montaner was recognized in health sciences.

The other recipients are University of Victoria's John Borrows (social sciences), Dalhousie University's W. Ford Doolittle (natural sciences), University of Toronto's Thomas Hurka (humanities), and University of Toronto's Molly Shoichet (engineering).

Montaner is a medicine professor, AIDS research chair, and head of the AIDS division of the medicine faculty at UBC. He is also the director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, a founding director of the Canadian HIV Trials Network, and a former president of the International AIDS Society. He is currently working with the World Health Organization on prevention strategies for viral hepatitis.

The Argentinian-Canadian physician, researcher, and professor has devoted himself to improving the care and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS for almost three decades. His work on highly active antiretroviral therapy and the creation of the "prevention as treatment" strategy is credited with saving millions of lives around the world.

He also is an advocate of harm reduction strategies and approaches, including safe-injection sites and needle-exchange programs.

Among the numerous awards and distinctions he has received, he has been inducted into the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada, and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

The recipients will be honored at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on May 30.