Backgrounder
May 18, 2010
PREMIER’S SUMMIT AWARDS
The Premier’s Summit Awards build Ontario’s research leadership by recognizing exceptional medical researchers and helping them expand their programs. The recipients of these awards are internationally recognized leaders whose work has transformed their fields.
Each recipient receives $5 million over a five-year period, including a $2.5-million contribution from the Summit Award program and a matching $2.5 million from the recipient’s sponsoring institution. As the following profiles demonstrate, the Premier’s Summit Awards support researchers who have made a substantial contribution and show promise of accomplishing even more.
PREMIER’S SUMMIT AWARD RECIPIENTS 2010
Dr. Janet Rossant 
Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto
Dr. Janet Rossant is a world leader in stem cell research. She has transformed the understanding of human biology and stem cell origins and put Ontario at the forefront of the international global market for stem cell therapies. Dr. Rossant’s pioneering research is improving lives – from discovering regenerative medicine therapies that give new life to vital organs, to helping regulate the heart and lungs, to finding new treatments for pregnancy disorders.
Dr. Rossant has also played an integral role in setting Canada’s public policy on stem cell research. In addition, as Deputy Scientific Director of the Canadian Stem Cell Network, she has spearheaded the formation of the Ontario Stem Cell Initiative to encourage collaboration among six Ontario stem cell centres. Together with her colleagues, the new therapies Dr. Rossant discovers will add to the many other firsts she has achieved in personalized stem cell medicine and significantly improve health care and quality of life around the world.
Dr. Jeff Wrana
Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
Toronto
Dr. Wrana’s internationally acclaimed research on the communication pathways of cells in our bodies has opened entirely new ways of thinking when it comes to fighting cancer. Dr. Wrana’s discoveries have led to new treatments that use intracellular communications to stop cancer from progressing and even reverse their effects. His breakthrough work has already led to new treatment options for breast cancer tumours and groundbreaking advances for other cancers.
Looking for ways to conduct tests for cancer more quickly, Dr. Wrana created the SMART robotics facility at the Lunenfeld Institute in Toronto. Using SMART robotics, Dr. Wrana and his team can perform thousands of tests at a time to identify the most effective cancer treatments for a particular patient. Just as significantly, the SMART robotics facility has opened its chemical libraries to medical researchers from all over Ontario, with the hope that knowledge will ignite new research and better solutions through collaboration.
SPONSORING INSTITUTIONS FOR PREMIER’S SUMMIT AWARD WINNERS
MaRS Discovery District
MaRS is dedicated to advancing the economic and social impacts of innovation by connecting and fostering collaboration between the communities of science, business and capital.
The MaRS Centre is located in Toronto’s renowned “Discovery District” – Canada’s largest concentration of biomedical research, spread across major teaching hospitals, the University of Toronto, and more than two dozen affiliated research centres.
The MaRS model uses place and partnerships to build a community. Within this community, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, professionals and investors can exchange knowledge, share best practices, and expand their networks. MaRS offers a broad range of educational programs and business services to address the needs of emerging and growth-oriented companies. Its public outreach activities span both science and culture, while its entrepreneurship programs for students reach a wide cross-disciplinary audience and create a culture that celebrates innovative ideas, entrepreneurship and commercialization.
The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is recognized as one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions and is Canada’s leading centre dedicated to advancing children’s health through the integration of patient care, research and education.
Founded in 1875 and affiliated with the University of Toronto, SickKids is one of Canada’s most research-intensive hospitals and has generated discoveries that have helped children globally. Its mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized family-centred care, pioneer scientific and clinical advancements, share expertise, foster an academic environment that nurtures health-care professionals and champion an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system.
The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital
The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre established in 1985, is one of the world’s premier centres in biomedical research. The Lunenfeld’s 34 principal investigators – 10 of whom are also clinicians – lead research in diabetes, cancer biology, epidemiology, stem cells, women’s and infants’ health, neurobiology, and systems biology.
Lunenfeld researchers are innovators in health science research that help to advance the future health of Canadians.
See also:
Additional Info
- News Release:
Ontario Celebrates Innovation Excellence With New Award - Backgrounder:
Premier’s Catalyst Awards - Backgrounder:
Premier’s Discovery Awards - Backgrounder:
Premier’s Summit Awards - Multimedia:
Premier’s Innovation Awards 2010 - Backgrounder:
2010 Premier's Discovery Award Panel Members
