U of T Medicine Hosts Renowned Biomedical Scientists
The Faculty of Medicine is preparing to welcome some of the world’s top biomedical minds for the 2014 Gairdner Symposia.
The two-day scientific Symposia is a unique opportunity for students, faculty and staff to hear from past and present Canada Gairdner Award winners. The awards are Canada’s most prestigious health sciences honour and are considered an important predictor of Nobel success. Over 80 Gairdner Award winners have received the Nobel Prize.
This year’s Symposia features four events including a laureates lecture, Arthritis Unmasked: Genetics, Treatments and Partnerships, New Advances in the Biology and Treatment of Cancer and a student lecture. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from internationally-renowned Gairdner laureates including Dr. Harold Varmus—Director, National Cancer Institute—and Dr. John Dick, Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Biology and Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics.
The Canada Gairdner Awards were created in 1957 to recognize researchers who improve the quality of human life and inspire biomedical research. They’re considered among the top three medical awards in the world, along with the Nobel Prize and Lasker Award. Seven Gairdner Awards are given annually in three different areas — International Awards (5), Global Health Award (1) and the Wightman Award (1). Each award is valued at $100,000. A list of this year’s winners can be found here.
“It is a privilege to welcome leading biomedical researchers to the Faculty of Medicine. Our students and researchers have the rare opportunity to learn from experts who are revolutionizing science,” says Alison Buchan, Vice-Dean of Research and International Relations in the Faculty of Medicine.
Previous U of T Medicine Gairdner Award winners include Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui in 1990 for the identification of the gene for cystic fibrosis and Prof. Tony Pawson in 1994 for his contributions to cell signaling.
“Toronto has some of the best labs in the world. This is the place to be for future scientists pursuing research in everything from stem cells and regenerative medicine to cell biology,” says Dr. John Dirks, President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation. He was also Dean of the Faculty of Medicine from 1987 to 1991.
The Gairdner Symposia Lectures take place on October 30 and 31, 2104. You can find the full program and speaker bios here.
