Skip to main content
Faculty Recognition

Biology Professor Emeritus Inducted into Academy of Sciences in Cuba

Raul J. Cano is a professor emeritus and renowned microbiologist.

A portrait of Raul Cano.

In May, professor emeritus Raul J. Cano was inducted into the Academy of Sciences in Cuba. 

Cano, a retired Cal Poly biology professor and renowned microbiologist, is the first Cuban-American to receive membership in the Academy. 

Cano, who previously received national attention for his work with amber dating back millions of years, has been heavily involved in research and clinical projects in Cuba over the past five years.

Cano partnered with Clinical Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras in Havana for clinical research in probiotics. Cano has helped form scientific partnerships between American companies and Cuba’s health community, including clinical trials in Cuba that led to the development of a probiotic product called Sugar Shift that’s now commercially available in U.S. and abroad. This probiotic formulation helps Type 2 diabetics in controlling blood sugar levels and improving insulin resistance. The researchers have published several papers based on their clinical trials.

“This honor was based not only on my work in Cuba but also contributions made during my tenure at Cal Poly,” Cano said. “The Academy is more than 500 years old and has a rich history. I’m very happy and honored to be recognized as the first Cuban-American to receive induction.”

Read more on the Biological Sciences Department website.