U of T Prepares to Welcome World’s Best Minds in Medical Sciences Research

The University of Toronto community will hear from many of the world’s greatest minds in medical sciences research when they gather in Toronto in October for the 2013 Gairdner Symposia. Beginning on October 23, leading researchers will discuss critical topics in health research, including HIV and sexual transmitted infections, hepatitis C and protein structures, and functions in health and disease.

The recipients of the 2013 Canada Gairdner Awards – Canada’s most prestigious award in the health sciences – will also deliver lectures on their groundbreaking research.

This year, the Canada Gairdner International Awards will recognize three areas of research: Harvey J. Alter of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Daniel W. Bradley of the Centers for Disease Control will be recognized for their contributions to the discovery and isolation of the hepatitis C virus. Stephen Joseph Elledge of Harvard Medical School will be honoured for his work in DNA repair, and Sir Gregory Winter of the University of Cambridge will be acknowledged for creating synthetic human antibodies.

King K. Holmes of the University of Washington will receive the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for his work on defining and treating HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Finally, the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award will be presented to James C. Hogg for his research and leadership in the field of Chronic Respiratory Diseases.

“The Gairdner talks feature some of the most distinguished researchers in the field of medical research today,” said Catharine Whiteside, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “It is a rare opportunity and a distinct privilege to welcome these global thought leaders to the University of Toronto, where our students and researchers can hear them describe their work and respond to questions.”

The Gairdner Symposia 2013 will feature:

HIV/STIs: Are we moving forward?

Wednesday, October 23, 2013
9:00am– 4:00pm
MaRS Auditorium, 101 College Street

2013 Canada Gairdner Recipient Lectures

Thursday, October 24, 2013
9:00am– 3:00pm
Macleod Auditorium, University of Toronto

Protein Structure & Function in Health & Disease

Friday, October 25, 2013
8:45am- 4:00pm
Macleod Auditorium, University of Toronto

Hepatitis C Virus: From Discover to Cure

Friday, October 25, 2013
8:00am- 3:00pm
Li Ka Shing Auditorium
St. Michael’s Hospital

The lectures are open to the public. More information can be found on the Gairdner Foundation website, www.gairdner.org. Click here to register.