Cancer
Their work with glycoproteins allows the detection of cancer through the observation of glycoprotein alterations.
Who was Annette Herscovics?
Annette Herscovics (1938 - 2008) was a scientist at McGill University. She was a member of the Royal Society of Canada and the majority of her work was in the field of glycobiology. She discovered how the modifications of these proteins happen in our cells and how they are indicative of cancer.
This UK-born Canadian scientist discovered a method to cover the sugars of Group C meningitis with protein.
Who is Harold Jennings?
Dr. Harold Jennings’ research towards meningitis allowed him to develop NeisVac-C, a conjugate vaccine. Because of its effectiveness with both children and adults, group C meningitis is barely existent today.
This Canadian scientist discovered the β-endorphin and the proprotein convertases.
Who is Michel Chretien
Michel Chretien was a researcher in endocrinology and protein chemistry, and was an advocate for Canadian investment in sciences. His discovery of the β-endorphin and the proprotein convertases have led to key breakthroughs in the treatment of many conditions and diseases, like diabetes, cancer, obesity, Alzheimers, and several more.
This retired Canadian senator is known for their work in Aboriginal rights but is less known for their use of neuroscience to champion these rights.
Who is Lillian Dyck?
Lillian Dyck is a retired Canadian senator from the Cree Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, most well known for her advocacy for Indigenous rights. One way she is supporting fellow Indigenous peoples is through her research in neuroscience. She advocates for the use of traditional Indigenous practices, such as the Medicine Wheel, and has researched the biochemistry behind alcohol addiction to refute stereotypes about alcoholism in Indigenous communities.
This surgeon/cardiologist and author has a procedure named after his last name.
Who is Arthur Vineberg?
Dr. Vineberg was known for the development of a procedure named after him - “Vineberg Procedure”, which is the implantation of the left mammary artery into the left ventricle of the heart. He published 2 books related to cardiology and heart health, and was given the Order of Canada award.
This professor of McGill’s Department of Oncology is best known for their research on genes that turn normal cells into cancer cells.
Who is Morag Park?
Morag Park’s research has contributed to a better understanding of cancer biology. Not just at the molecular level but also when it comes to cellular interactions between cancer tissues. Her focus on a combination of genetic and epigenetic alterations that cause breast cancer has allowed a much greater insight into the biology of cancer.
This Canadian pathologist and physician wrote the Atlas of Congenital Cardiac Disease, a ground-breaking book in cardiac research.
Who is Maude Abbot?
Maude Elizabeth Symour Abbot, a Canadian cardiac pathologist and physician, was a pioneer for women in medicine. Her greatest work, the Atlas of Congenital Cardiac Disease, helped pave the way for modern knowledge and treatment for congenital heart diseases, and is well renowned in the field.
This person’s research on Myeloid Leukaemia Stem Cells have pioneered modern treatment of leukaemia and cancer
Who is Connie Eaves?
Connie Eaves’s work on the biology of leukaemia and breast cancer allowed for many new and innovative treatments. As well, she has discovered many reliable methods to identify different cells in humans that are considered “gold standards.”
This Canadian professor and neurobiologist is the founder of the University of Calgary Hotchkiss Brain Institute, which focuses on advancements in mental health and neurological care.
Who is Samuel Weiss ?
Samuel Weiss is a Canadian neurobiologist who has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly the discovery of stem cells in the brains of mammals. Their work has contributed to new approaches in brain cell treatment, repair, and replacement.
This cardiac surgeon was the pioneer of open-heart surgery in Canada, and also a co-discoverer of the pacemaker.
Who is John Callaghan?
John Callaghan is mostly known for his role as a co-discoverer of the pacemaker, which was an important discovery that started the modern medical device industry. He is also known for being the first Canadian surgeon to successfully perform an open-heart surgery in 1956 which was extremely difficult at the time, but it opened a path for future surgeons and researchers to develop new devices for related surgeries.
This Indigenous woman is the first Indigenous female surgeon in Canada.
Who is Nadine Caron?
Nadine Caron is a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nations and is Canada’s first female Indigenous surgeon. She is responsible for spearheading the Northern Biobank Initiative. This initiative will bring important research about colorectal, breast and thyroid cancer to Northern British Columbia. This initiative is especially impactful for rural and remote Indigenous communities.
This researcher was named among the top 100 most powerful women in Canada for her accomplishments in the research of vascular diseases.
Who is Sonia Anand?
Sonia Anand is a Canadian researcher whose work on vascular diseases has been recognized globally. Her current research focuses on the genetic and environmental factors of cardiovascular diseases in varying countries.
This university professor at McGill discovered exosomes, a structure that delivers protein to our red blood cells.
Who was Rose Johnstone?
Rose Johnstone’s discovery of exosomes has allowed us to see how red blood cells obtain their iron, which is essential for our process of breathing oxygen. Furthermore, exosomes have important interactions with heart, brain and immune system cells, which has allowed more options for treating advanced diseases.
This Canadian neuroscientist and professor at the University of Toronto is known for their research of pain and its effects on the brain.
Who is Karen Davis?
Karen Davis is a Canadian Neuroscientist who has made various contributions to our understanding of how the brain perceives and reacts to pain. She used advanced brain imaging techniques to discover neural networks involved in processing pain signals, and has used the same brain imaging techniques to help patients with chronic pain choose the most effective form of treatment.
This Canadian cardiologist played an important role in the development of the first ICD
Who is Paul Dorian?
Paul Dorian is a Canadian physician and cardiologist who made great contributions to cardiac electrophysiology. He was an important part of the development of the first implantable cardioverter-defibrillator(ICD) for the treatment of arrhythmias(irregularity of heart rate). The development of this device has since helped many with heart problems, specifically electrical heart problems.
This Canadian scientist is responsible for the development of oncolytic viruses.
Who is John Cameron Bell?
John Cameron Bell is a Canadian scientist who spearheaded the development of oncolytic viruses. These viruses are designed to target and destroy cancer cells. These viruses are showing promising results in clinical trials and are also being used in combination with other cancer treatments to increase their effectivenesses. These viruses show great potential for saving lives and are a method of cancer treatment that do not come with as many side effects as common treatments such as chemotherapy.
This immunologist was essential to the production of a Ebola vaccine of GMP (good manufacturing processes) quality.
Who was Judie Alimonti?
To develop the Ebola vaccine, Judie Alimonti made sure the vaccine was free of microorganisms or pathogens. She also got a few people to work on aspects other than the development of the vaccine; this became known as a “Skunk Works”.
This professor of the University of Toronto is actively studying epigenetics, specifically the structures of chromatin and transcriptional regulatory proteins.
Who is Cheryl Arrowsmith?
Cheryl Arrowsmith’s research on these proteins is helping determine the modifications that alter gene expression. This is helpful towards the development of treatments for bowel disease and cancer that target those proteins.
This professor and neuroscientist from McGill University is known for his research on memory consolidation, which challenges the idea that memories are fixed and cannot be changed.
Who is Karim Nader?
Karim Nader is a neuroscientist and professor working at McGill University discovered that once memories are recalled, they can be modified or even erased through interventions such as pharmaceutical agents or special techniques. His research has the potential to provide game-changing therapies for those suffering from mental illnesses such as PTSD and addiction.
This Canadian-American biophysicist developed MRI, used for the diagnosis of heart diseases.
Who is Ravi S. Menon?
Dr. Ravi S. Menon is a cardiologist, biophysicist, author, and researcher who was renowned for his work in MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) for diagnosing heart diseases. He is also the leader of the field of cardiac imaging and helped with the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the heart.
This scientist fought through the social norms of their time and normalised the use of conservative treatment for cancer patients.
Who is Vera Peters?
Vera Peters (1911-1993) overcame the barriers against female scientists at the time and graduated from medical school in the 1930s. She discovered that radical treatment of cancers ended up doing more harm to patients than good and suggested a more conservative approach to cancer treatment. She left an impactful legacy in the field of oncology and her work will continue to impact cancer patients.
This Canadian research on antiviral agents lead to the world's first oral antiviral medication for Hepatitis B.
Who is David Lorne John Tyrrell?
David Lorne John Tyrrell is a professor at the University of Alberta and founder of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology. His work and research on the hepatitis virus resulted in the licensing of the world's first oral antiviral medicine, the lamivudine. Today, lamivudine is used for the treatment of hepatitis B in over 200 countries worldwide.
This England-born Canadian scientist developed the structures of the nucleic acids adenine and guanine in DNA.
Who was June Lindsey?
Four years after June Lindsey’s discovery, scientist James Watson observed hydrogen bonds in DNA that form a double helix in the shape of a zipper. This discovery has led us one step closer to fully comprehending the molecular processes responsible for disease. Watson could have not completed his research without the structure of adenine, making Lindsey’s research very significant.
This researcher works at McGill University and has made several discoveries regarding the role of mitochondria cells in diseases such as Parkinson’s.
Who is Heidi McBride?
Heidi McBride is a professor in the departments of neurosurgery and neurology at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. They have made groundbreaking discoveries about mitochondrial cells and how molecular mechanisms can affect diseases such as Parkinson’s.
This echocardiologist and expert at cardiac imaging has contributed greatly to the research of biomarkers in the management of acute and chronic heart failures.
Who is Gordon Moe?
Gordon Moe is an expert at echocardiology as well as cardiac imaging. He has contributed to research like biomarkers, especially those used in the management of acute and chronic heart failures. His contributions helped to revolutionise the field of echocardiology.