The Aymara people of the Bolivian Andes have a word that describes Ivar Mendez’s nature as a traveller: sariri. A sariri is one who travels not only to visit new places but to explore and seek new knowledge—a pilgrim on a spiritual quest, a traveller in search of new horizons, adventures, and cultures.

"As a sariri, I have wandered on foot through remote regions of the Andes and navigated splendid Amazonian waterways surrounded by lush biodiversity. I have immersed myself in Indigenous communities whose traditions and rituals remain unchanged from pre-Columbian times. I have also witnessed extreme poverty, especially in regions far from urban centres, that profoundly impacts children, the most vulnerable population.

"The twenty essays presented in this book represent an individual perspective on the moments and places that caught my attention and stimulated my imagination."

IVAR MENDEZ was born in Bolivia but has spent most of his life in Canada. A neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, he lives in the prairie city of Saskatoon, where he serves as the Fred H. Wigmore Professor and Chairman of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan, as well as the Unified Head of Surgery for the Province of Saskatchewan. He is internationally known for his work in cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease and the use of remote-presence robotics for virtual care.Ivar Mendez is the president and founder of the Ivar Mendez International Foundation (IMIF). Its mission is to improve the nutrition, health and education of children in the poorest regions of Bolivia so they can reach their full potential. In addition to writing several books, he is also a photographer and sculptor, and has exhibited his works in Bolivia, Canada, and the United States. As a scientist and artist, he believes that science and art can be synergised to promote creativity and innovation. As a humanitarian, he has established school breakfast programs, dental care programs, and educational programs in remote communities in the Bolivian Andes. Ivar Mendez was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2022.

Ivar Mendez's profile page