Celebrating scientific trailblazers whose discoveries are reshaping healthcare and saving lives worldwide
Each year, the scientific community eagerly anticipates the announcement of the Canada Gairdner Awards—honors that have earned a reputation as remarkable predictors of future Nobel laureates. Since their establishment in 1957, an impressive 102 Gairdner awardees have later received Nobel Prizes, cementing the foundation's track record for identifying truly transformative science 8 .
Recognizes outstanding biomedical research increasing understanding of human biology and disease
Honors research improving health and well-being of populations facing health inequities worldwide
Celebrates exceptional mid-career Canadian researchers with continued potential for impact
Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting more than 125,000 people worldwide, was once a uniformly fatal diagnosis. The condition arises from mutations in the CFTR gene, which encodes a protein crucial for regulating chloride and bicarbonate transport across cell membranes 1 .
Beginning in the early 1990s, Dr. Michael J. Welsh and his team revolutionized our understanding of this disease. They demonstrated that the CFTR protein functions as a chloride ion channel regulated by phosphorylation and ATP 1 .
Dr. Paul Negulescu at Vertex Pharmaceuticals led the team that developed the first-ever protein folding correctors, a novel class of medicines designed to address the root cause of the disease 1 .
| Experimental Approach | Key Finding | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Electrophysiological studies | CFTR protein functions as a chloride channel | Established fundamental mechanism |
| Mutation analysis | DF508 mutation causes protein misfolding | Identified specific molecular defect |
| Chemical repair experiments | DF508 misfolding can be corrected | Proof-of-concept for therapy |
| Drug screening | Compounds restore CFTR function | Led to Trikafta development |
The resulting therapies—Trikafta and Alyftrek—are triple-combination treatments with potential to benefit approximately 90% of cystic fibrosis patients, transforming a fatal disease into a manageable condition 1 .
The Notch signaling pathway represents one of nature's most fundamental systems for cellular communication, playing crucial roles in cell differentiation and development across multiple species 1 .
First identified over a century ago through mutations causing notches in fruit fly wings, our modern understanding stems from pioneering work by Drs. Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Iva Greenwald, and Gary Struhl 1 .
Drs. Greenwald and Struhl proposed that Notch functions as a membrane-tethered transcription factor that must be cleaved to release its cytosolic domain, which then travels to the nucleus to control gene expression 1 .
This work has far-reaching implications for medicine, particularly in identifying the role of Notch signaling in diseases such as cancer and developmental disorders. The pathway also shares components with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's 1 .
Dr. André Briend's development of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) revolutionized the management of severe acute malnutrition in children worldwide. These highly nutritious, shelf-stable pastes require no preparation or refrigeration, making them ideal for resource-limited settings 1 .
Complementing this therapeutic advance, Dr. Briend helped popularize the use of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a simplified diagnostic and monitoring tool. This enables healthcare workers in remote areas to quickly identify at-risk children and initiate treatment 1 .
countries implementing RUTF programs
children treated annually
This combination of a simple diagnostic tool with an easy-to-administer treatment has greatly expanded access to care, particularly in low-resource and conflict-affected settings 1 .
The 2025 laureates include pioneers in cancer research and digital health solutions, demonstrating the diverse ways science is advancing medicine.
Dr. Daniel De Carvalho's research revealed how transposable elements in our DNA can regulate anti-tumor immunity through a phenomenon called "viral mimicry" 1 .
Dr. Jennifer Stinson has pioneered digital interventions for assessing and managing painful childhood conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, sickle cell disease, and cancer 1 .
| Research Tool/Technique | Function in Research | Example from Gairdner Research |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy | Studying molecular structure and dynamics | Used by previous Gairdner winner Lewis Kay to study protein structures 7 |
| DNA Methylation Profiling | Analyzing epigenetic modifications to DNA | Used by Daniel De Carvalho to study cancer epigenetics 1 |
| Chimeric Proteins | Validating protein function and interaction models | Used by Gary Struhl to validate Notch cleavage and activation model 1 |
| Cell-Free DNA Analysis | Detecting genetic material released by cells into bloodstream | Advanced by Daniel De Carvalho for early cancer detection 1 |
| Digital Pain Assessment Platforms | Evaluating and managing pain through digital tools | Developed by Jennifer Stinson for painful childhood illnesses 1 |
Foundation for clinical advances
Power of diverse expertise
Translating lab findings to real-world solutions
| Field of Research | Key Innovation | Measurable Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cystic Fibrosis | CFTR corrector therapies (Trikafta, Alyftrek) | Potential to treat ~90% of cystic fibrosis patients; transformed a fatal disease into a manageable condition 1 |
| Global Health Nutrition | Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) | ~8 million children treated annually across 50+ countries; shifted treatment from hospitals to communities 1 |
| Cancer Epigenetics | Viral mimicry concept and epigenetic therapies | Novel approach to making tumors visible to immune system; improved cancer detection and treatment monitoring 1 |
| Notch Signaling | Mechanism of Notch pathway activation | Fundamental understanding of cell communication with implications for cancer, developmental disorders, and Alzheimer's disease 1 |