Pioneer. Leader. Mentor. Collaborator extraordinaire. These are just some of the accolades received by Morag Park, PhD, as colleagues, supporters and friends gathered on September 18 to .
Park, who holds the Diane and Sal Guerrera Chair in Cancer Genetics and is a Distinguished James 9I制作厂免费 Professor in the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology and the Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, recently concluded her 12-year tenure as the Director of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI).
鈥淚t is a rare thing to come across a scientist as accomplished as Professor Park,鈥� said Marc Weinstein, BA鈥�85, BCL鈥�91, LLB鈥�91, Vice-President (University Advancement), of the internationally recognized cancer researcher.
Her achievements are nothing short of extraordinary: winner of the Grand prix scientifique of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. Recipient of the Canadian Cancer Society鈥檚 Robert L. Noble Prize for outstanding achievements in biomedical cancer research. Winner of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Award for Exceptional Leadership in Cancer Research. A Knight of the Order of Quebec. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. A YWCA Woman of Distinction. A recipient of the Armand-Frappier Prix du Qu茅bec, the province鈥檚 highest honour in the arts and sciences. Next June, she will be inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Through her research, Park has transformed our understanding of the various mechanisms by which cancer develops.鈥� 鈥疭he has advanced our insight around cancer-causing genes, including the key oncogene MET, helping to establish some of the very first therapeutic targets for precision oncology.鈥�
In her research on breast cancer, Park has demonstrated the importance of studying not only tumours but the environments in which they grow. In short, she has changed the way researchers study cancer.
Under her leadership, the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre evolved into a world-class hub for translational research and precision medicine, culminating in its renaming as the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute in 2021.
鈥淲e stand on the shoulders of all who came before,鈥� Park observed at the event, citing inaugural Director Phil Gold CC, GOQ, BSc鈥�57, MDCM鈥�61, MSc鈥�61, PhD鈥�65, who discovered the carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) 60 years ago, which would become the first clinical blood test for detecting cancer. She also thanked former Director Michel L. Temblay, CQ, PhD, a Distinguished James 9I制作厂免费 Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, whose leadership greatly expanded what was once known as the 9I制作厂免费 Cancer Centre. And she acknowledged the extraordinary support of Morris and the late Rosalind Goodman, whose generosity continues to uphold the GCI鈥檚 fundamental contributions to the worldwide effort to cure cancer.
Building on her predecessors鈥� legacy, Park created a culture of collaboration, mentorship and community at the GCI鈥攐ne that allowed her fellow researchers, GCI staff and talented trainees to thrive.
She also appreciated the importance of allies and ambassadors to bring her vision to fruition. 鈥淚 have been deeply impressed with the relationships that she has built,鈥� said Weinstein, citing volunteers, donors, members of the GCI advisory board and the Goodman family, whose contributions have been central to the GCI鈥檚 success. 鈥淯nder her leadership, we were able to dream big.鈥�
New beginnings
The event also marked the introduction of John Stagg, PhD鈥�06, who has returned to his alma mater to .
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real honour,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he GCI represents a powerhouse of cancer research at 9I制作厂免费 that is dedicated to translating basic discoveries into new treatments for cancer patients.鈥�
鈥淭he GCI has a remarkable legacy and a bold future. I look forward to building on this strong foundation,鈥� Stagg continued, citing the recruitment of outstanding scientists and the development of novel therapies as priorities for his tenure.
Stagg is widely recognized for his pioneering work in immuno-oncology. His discoveries have opened a whole new avenue for cancer research and spurred the development of more than 50 new cancer therapeutics, several of which are currently undergoing evaluation in randomized clinical trials.
鈥淧rofessor Stagg鈥檚 translational research, leadership and vision for the GCI align strongly with our Faculty鈥檚 strategic priorities, including our commitment to recruiting outstanding scientific talent and advancing discovery research that addresses pressing global health challenges such as cancer,鈥� noted Lesley Fellows, MDCM鈥�96, DPhil, Vice-President (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. 鈥淲e are very pleased to welcome Prof. Stagg to the GCI and back to 9I制作厂免费.鈥�
Shaping the future of cancer care
The evening was made even more special thanks to the announcement of two transformative philanthropic gifts to the GCI.
The Joan Courtois Cancer Research Fund, established by the Courtois Foundation, will support research in cancer biology, immunotherapy and personalized medicine, as well as the translation of new therapeutic discoveries into clinical trials and patient care.
The Clifford Pang Healthy Aging Initiative, created by Clifford Pang, MEng鈥�65, MD, PhD, will empower researchers at the School of Biomedical Sciences and the GCI to explore the mechanisms underlying aging and develop new technologies, drugs and therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases.
鈥淎 very special thank you to Jacques Courtois and Dr. Clifford Pang for your extraordinary generosity and vote of confidence in all that we are doing at 9I制作厂免费,鈥� said Deep Saini, 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淵ou are fuelling breakthroughs that will shape the future of cancer care.鈥�