Steven Narod awarded McLaughlin Medal by Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:48:03 +0000

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 09/12/2023 - 11:48

Faculty

St. George

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

McLaughlin Medal

Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Women's College Hospital

landscape

Steven Narod (supplied image)

Steven Narod, a senior scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Temerty Faculty of medicine at the University of Toronto, has been awarded the 2023 McLaughlin Medal by the Royal Society of Canada.

The award recognizes important research of sustained excellence in any branch of medical sciences.

Narod, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Breast Cancer, is renowned for his research on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, that when mutated, substantially increase a woman’s lifetime risk of breast or ovarian cancer. His current research focuses on the efficacy of treatment options for women with BRCA1 mutations and breast cancer.

Narod’s research into hereditary breast cancer began at the International Agency in Research in Cancer in Lyon, France, in 1987 and continued upon his return to Canada in 1990, first at McGill University and then, starting in 1995, at �Թϱ��. Narod is credited as a co-discoverer of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and has studied the distribution of mutations worldwide since their discoveries. He says that one of his earliest proud moments was his major paper linking hereditary breast cancer susceptibility to hereditary ovarian cancer susceptibility.

“It’s nice to know that the work is really having impact,” he says, adding he’s motivated by the community of researchers and his drive to find answers. “I enjoy working with my students and my fellows. I enjoy being part of an active community here at the University of Toronto. I like hearing the work that others do and seeing the success of younger colleagues.

“The ultimate goal is I’d like to see an effective treatment for hereditary breast cancer.”

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Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

lanthierj — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:44:16 +0000

Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Fri, 09/16/2022 - 10:44

Faculty

Alumni

St. George

Royal Society of Canada

Alice Wilson Award

Willet G. Miller Medal

McLaughlin Medal

Faculty of Arts & Science

Department of Physics

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

UHN

landscape

Yimu Zhao, Kimberly Strong and John Dick

Two University of Toronto faculty members – atmospheric physicist Kimberly Strong and molecular geneticist John Dick – and Engineering alumna Yimu Zhao have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada for their outstanding achievements in advancing knowledge.

Strong, who is the chair of the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of physics and a leading authority in global atmospheric research, received the prestigious 2022 Willet G. Miller Medal for outstanding research in a branch of the Earth sciences.

“As an atmospheric physicist, Kim Strong has established a national and international reputation for research excellence,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Employing an array of experimental techniques to probe the composition of the atmosphere, she is unraveling the chemical and physical processes that are driving atmospheric change. It is my great pleasure to congratulate her on this important and well-deserved honour.”

A renowned stem cell biologist, Dick is a University Professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network. He received the McLaughlin Medal for important research of sustained excellence in medical science. Earlier this year, he received a Gairdner International Award for the discovery of leukemic stem cells and later work on the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Zhao, who earned her PhD studying with Professor Milica Radisic of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and conducted post-doctoral studies with the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network and Columbia University, received the Alice Wilson Award.

Strong said she was delighted to be recognized but emphasized the “highly collaborative” nature of her research.

“When I think of all of my graduate students, postdocs and other group members over the years, this award is a reflection of their cumulative accomplishment.”

Read about the RSC award winners

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

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