Three UHN researchers elected Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Three members of TeamUHN have been elected to the 2025 class of Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), one of the highest honours in Canadian health sciences. This prestigious recognition celebrates their exceptional contributions to advancing academic health sciences and their commitment to addressing Canada's most pressing health challenges.
Congratulations to the following:
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Dr. Laura Dawson, a clinician investigator at UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a Clinician-Scientist in the Radiation Medicine Program. Her research focuses on implementing advanced radiation technologies and exploring innovative therapeutic combinations to improve outcomes and minimize side effects of radiation therapy, with a particular emphasis on liver cancers.
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Dr. Natasha Leighl, the Division Head of Medical Oncology and Hematology and a Clinician Investigator at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Her work centers on developing novel treatments for lung cancer, including targeted and immune-based therapies and integrating cutting-edge diagnostics such as liquid biopsy into patient care.
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Dr. Milica Radisic, a Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. Her research explores cardiac tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a focus on developing new biological materials and lab-grown heart tissue to treat heart failure and improve recovery after heart attacks.
CAHS Fellows are selected from a diverse group of Canada's leading health and biomedical scientists, scholars and practitioners. These distinguished individuals play a vital role in evaluating complex health issues and proposing actionable solutions that benefit the health of Canadians.
The election of these three researchers underscores the calibre of innovation and clinical excellence at UHN, reinforcing its position at the forefront of health sciences and transformative healthcare.
Three members of TeamUHN receive Spring 2025 Early Career Researcher Awards
Congratulations to four rising stars in cancer research who have been recognized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) — Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)'s Early Career Researcher Awards in Cancer.
These awards honour the highest-ranked early career applicants in CIHR's Spring 2025 Project Grant competition whose work falls within ICR's mandate. Their innovative projects are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of cancer care in Canada:
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Dr. Long V. Nguyen is a breast medical oncologist and Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a Hold'em for Life Early Career Professor in Cancer Research in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. The Nguyen Lab studies clonal heterogeneity in human breast cancer to understand the relationship between genotype, phenotype and function in breast cancer — specifically the functional effects of genomic changes compared to the more transient effects of transcriptional plasticity.
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Dr. Gilla Shapiro is a psychologist and clinician scientist in the Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Medical Science and within the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Shapiro's research has focused on health decision making, health equity and supporting patients with cancer. Her research is currently funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Dr. Robert Vanner is a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre with the Gastrointestinal Site Group and Clonal Hematopoiesis Program. His research program uses large datasets, genomics and animal models to define the impact of clonal hematopoiesis on clinical outcomes, with the goal of developing precision treatment strategies and novel therapeutics for patients with cancer and chronic disease.
These exceptional researchers are driving innovation and improving lives. Congratulations to all the awardees.
Drs. John Dick and Cheryl Arrowsmith receive Excellence in Cancer Research Awards
Congratulations to Senior Scientists Drs. John Dick and Cheryl Arrowsmith, who have received the Excellence in Cancer Research Awards from Canadian Cancer Society.
Dr. John Dick, recipient of the Lifetime Contribution Prize, has profoundly shaped the Canadian cancer research landscape through a career marked by transformative discoveries and a deep commitment to mentorship. His pioneering work led to the identification of the cells that give rise to leukemia and the development of new treatments to target them. He also created the first effective system for studying human stem cells in the lab, revealing how blood is formed and uncovering the unique stem cells that initiate cancer. By tracing the processes that allow these cells to become malignant, Dr. Dick opened the door to therapies that can prevent cancer from developing or relapsing. His legacy goes beyond scientific breakthroughs — he is dedicated to ensuring future generations of cancer researchers carry forward the momentum he has built.
Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith, a global leader in cancer epigenetics and drug discovery, was awarded the prestigious Robert L. Noble Prize for her groundbreaking work in biomedical cancer research. Her studies delve into how genes are regulated and how protein interactions drive cancer progression. By developing innovative chemical probes to investigate these epigenetic proteins, she has uncovered critical vulnerabilities in cancers such as leukemia and breast cancer, opening new pathways for targeted therapies. Beyond her scientific achievements, Dr. Arrowsmith is a passionate advocate for drug development and collaborative research and a dedicated mentor to the next generation of scientists. Her influence reaches far beyond the lab, shaping both the future of cancer treatment and the researchers who will carry it forward.
