OTTAWA, April 15, 2021 – Senator Judith Seidman, on behalf of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus, will host a Virtual Panel with co-hosts The Gairdner Foundation and Research Canada to celebrate two 2021 Canada Gairdner Awardees: Dr. Elizabeth Eisenhauer, winner of the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award and Dr. Mary-Claire King, winner of the Canada Gairdner International Award.
Dr. Eisenhauer’s research has transformed the fields of cancer clinical trials and cancer drug delivery and has helped to establish new standards of cancer treatment that have impacted patients around the world. Dr. King’s work has similarly transformed cancer genetics and oncology with the discovery of inherited susceptibility to breast cancer due to mutation of the BRCA1 gene. The virtual panel, which will bring together laureates, Parliamentarians and other invited guests, will serve to promote Canada as a valuable contributor to international science and an exceptional place to do research.
Quote: Dr. Janet Rossant, President & Scientific Director, The Gairdner Foundation
“The Gairdner Foundation and Research Canada continue to work together towards our shared goal of strengthening the research community in Canada and inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators. Through our partnership, we continue to elevate Canada on the world stage as a global leader in research.”
Quote: Dr. Rose Goldstein, Chair, Research Canada
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Gairdner Foundation to bring such meaningful science to decision makers in Ottawa. This year, we are proud to welcome our own Dr. Eisenhauer, winner of the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, as well as the United States’ Dr. King to meet with Parliamentarians and share their incredible scientific breakthroughs. Along with the other laureates, these women are outstanding examples of why research excellence matters. The Gairdner Foundation and its awards help demonstrate Canada’s leadership in health research to the world.”
The Gairdner Foundation was established in 1957 and is best known for its Canada Gairdner Awards. Since its founding, the Gairdner Foundation has awarded more than 402 prizes to laureates from over 40 countries (95 of whom have gone on to win receive Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine). Each year the Canada Gairdner Awards are presented to honour the world’s most significant biomedical and global health researchers. These awards both distinguish Canada as a leader in science and elevate the profile of science in Canada. They are Canada’s only globally known and respected international science awards. All laureates are chosen by international adjudication committees.
The Gairdner Foundation promotes a stronger culture of research and innovation across the country through outreach programming including lectures and research symposia, bringing current and past laureates to universities across Canada to speak with faculty, trainees and high school students to inspire the next generation of researchers.
Research Canada is a national alliance dedicated to increasing investments in health research and support for its related innovation through collaborative advocacy and engaging government, academia, industry and the non-profit sector to build support for long-term health research funding. For more information, visit rc-rc.ca.
The Parliamentary Health Research Caucus is a non-partisan educational forum that hosts events on Parliament Hill to educate politicians on the social and economic benefits of Canadian health research and innovation, as well as to introduce them to the multi-sector partnerships among academic, private sector and health charity stakeholders essential to a robust health research enterprise and innovation system. The PHRC is chaired by Mr. Lloyd Longfield, MP (Guelph, Ontario), with Vice-Chairs, Ms. Tamara Jansen, MP (Cloverdale—Langley City, British Columbia) and Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma–Manitoulin–
For further information:
Ms. Kelty Reid
Manager, Communications and Operations
Gairdner Foundation
416-596-9993 ext. 206
kelty@gairdner.org
Full listing of Gairdner Events
Ms. Christie Tomkins
Manager of Policy and Public Affairs
Research Canada
613-234-5129
ctomkins@rc-rc.ca