FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, January 18, 2019 – Dr. Bradly Wouters, Executive Vice President, Science and Research – University Health Network (UHN) announced today the appointment of Aaron Schimmer MD, PhD, FRCPC to the position of Research Director at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, UHN.
Dr. Schimmer has been an active clinician and researcher at the Princess Margaret since 2003 and has established a vibrant and highly collaborative translational research program focused on developing innovative therapeutic strategies to target leukemia and leukemia stem cells. His work has advanced three compounds directly from his lab into Phase I clinical trial and he is a highly productive and recognized authority in the cancer research field.
Dr. Schimmer has published over 217 peer-reviewed papers over the course of his career, with many in high impact journals, and his work in novel therapeutics has resulted in over 15 patents and patent applications. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards, including the Till and McCulloch Award and the Bernard and Francine Dorval Prize. Dr. Schimmer is a Professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Medicine, the Institute of Medical Science and the Department of Medical Biophysics.
In addition to advancing his own research program, Dr. Schimmer has continuously made significant contributions to clinical practice, research and education over the course of his career. He has served on many international organizations, grant review panels, including the CIHR, NIH and NCI, and has participated on numerous committees at the Princess Margaret and University of Toronto. He has also served as the Interim Associate Director of Research at Princess Margaret since January 2018. His long list of contributions is a testament to his commitment to science and research here in Toronto—an essential element for success in this new role. Dr. Schimmer has demonstrated a commitment to supporting his colleagues and to advancing the impact of the Princess Margaret on the global stage.
The recruitment process for the role included the search committee, the scientists, senior scientists, and clinician-researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and partners from The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. This input and feedback on the candidates was extensive.
Dr. Schimmer’s appointment is effective February 15, 2019.
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About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering personalized cancer medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top five international cancer research centres, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute for Education; all affiliated with the University of Toronto. For more information, go to www.theprincessmargaret.ca or www.uhn.ca.
Media contact: Danielle Pereira, Public Affairs, (416) 946-2846, danielle.pereira@uhn.ca