Two scientists from Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) have been awarded a Canada Research Chair (CRC), the country’s highest research honour.
Dr. Julie Hallet, Associate Scientist in the Evaluative Clinical Sciences and Odette Cancer Research Programs, and Dr. Walter Swardfager, Scientist in the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program and Sandra Black Centre for Brain Resilience and Recovery, were announced as Tier 2 chairholders.
“Tier 2 Canada Research chairs are awarded to exceptional emerging researchers (for a five-year term), and both of these scientists are leading research that is essential to advancing patient care and outcomes across the country,” says Dr. Kullervo Hynynen, vice-president of research and innovation at Sunnybrook.
Dr. Hallet, a surgical oncologist at Sunnybrook, was awarded a new CRC in Patient-Centred and Quality Cancer Surgery for her work focused on improving access to cancer care and better defining clinical outcomes needed to support the delivery of cancer care.
Using health services research to improve clinical outcomes in cancer care, Dr. Hallet’s research is grounded in patient engagement, input and equity.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as a Canada Research Chair in Patient-Centred and Quality Cancer Surgery,” says Dr. Hallet, also an associate professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. “This recognition will allow my team to advance a research program dedicated to transforming how surgical cancer care is delivered, monitored, and experienced across Canada and beyond. Through the development of patient-centred quality metrics, the design of high-performing perioperative care models, and the creation of tools to support risk communication, my team seeks to improve outcomes and reduce inequities in cancer surgery. I am very grateful for the support of the CRC, and to my collaborators, trainees, and patient partners for their shared commitment to building better performing, more equitable, and data-driven surgical cancer care.”
Dr. Swardfager, an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto, was awarded a renewal of his Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Clinical Pharmacology of Cognitive Neurovascular Disorders, through the University of Toronto.
The renewal of his Chair will help Dr. Swardfager and his team further their work on understanding how dysfunction and degeneration of the small vessels of the brain affect cognition and mood.
“Knowledge is advancing quickly on the brain’s circulation revealing untapped potential to prevent and treat dementia,” says Dr. Swardfager. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity to translate that knowledge into benefits for patients.”
At SRI, Drs. Hallet and Swardfager join the following Canada Research Chairs:
Tier 1 chairs
- Dr. Isabelle Aubert
- Dr. JoAnne McLaurin
- Dr. Greg Stanisz
- Dr. Bojana Stefanovic
- Dr. Burton Yang
- Dr. Natalie Coburn
- Dr. Clement Hamani
- Dr. Kâmil Uludağ
Tier 2 chairs
- Dr. Meaghan O’Reilly
- Dr. Iacovos Michael
- Dr. Mark Chiew
- Dr. Maged Goubran
- Dr. Chao Wang
- Dr. Harindra Wijeysundera
- Dr. Angela Jerath
- Dr. Amy Yu
The Canada Research Chairs Program invests up to $311 million annually to attract and retain some of the world’s most promising and accomplished researchers. The program aims to advance research that leads to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations across health, engineering, sciences, social sciences and humanities.
Both Chairs are administered through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).