Brenda Gallie
Professor Brenda L. Gallie, a leading expert in eye cancer research. She is dedicated to understanding and finding better ways to treat a rare childhood eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Through her groundbreaking work, Professor Gallie discovered that a specific gene called RB1 plays a critical role in causing these tumors. Her research has transformed our understanding of how cancers develop. Professor Gallie’s efforts in personalized medicine and genomic studies have been recognized with prestigious honors like The Order of Ontario and The Order of Canada. She is committed to bridging the gap in cancer care worldwide by collaborating with researchers around the globe.
1983 Banting Discovery Awardee
William Mustard
Dr. William Thornton Mustard was a Canadian surgeon who revolutionized the field of cardiac surgery. He developed a surgical technique called the Mustard procedure, which corrected a congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries (TGA). This condition caused a shortage of oxygen in the blood by reversing the main arteries leaving the heart. The Mustard procedure redirected blood flow through a specially created baffle, significantly improving treatment for this condition.
Dr. Mustard’s contributions extended beyond the Mustard procedure. He played a vital role in advancing surgical techniques for treating other congenital heart defects. He was also a pioneer in using hypothermia during cardiac surgery, allowing the temporary stopping of the heart for safe surgical intervention.
His groundbreaking work and innovations earned Dr. Mustard widespread recognition and numerous awards, including the prestigious Order of Canada. His legacy continues to impact the field of cardiac surgery, improving the lives of countless patients.
1950 Banting Discovery Awardee
Imogen Coe
Imogen Coe is an acclaimed scientist and passionate advocate for diversity in science. With a focus on cellular biology, she has made significant breakthroughs in understanding drug transport within our cells.
As the first woman to serve as the founding dean of the Faculty of Science at Ryerson University, Coe has been a driving force in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the scientific community, especially for women in science.
Coe’s impact extends beyond her research. She is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and public advocate for science literacy and the importance of diversity in shaping the future of science.
Imogen Coe continues to advance cellular biology while championing diversity in the scientific world.
1998 Banting Discovery Awardee
Adolfo J. De Bold
Adolfo J. de Bold is a distinguished scientist known for discovering a hormone called atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). This hormone, found in the heart, plays a vital role in how the heart communicates with the kidneys, revolutionizing our understanding of cardiovascular function. De Bold’s remarkable contributions earned him prestigious awards, including the Gairdner Foundation International Award and membership in the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor. De Bold’s unwavering commitment to research is an ongoing source of inspiration, propelling us towards a more comprehensive understanding of heart hormones.
1980 Banting Discovery Awardee
Janet Rossant
Janet Rossant is a highly regarded researcher in the scientific community, dedicating her life to exploring the intricate genetic control of mice embryos. Her monumental research has yielded unprecedented insight into early embryonic development and has proven pivotal in the realm of regenerative medicine. Rossant’s pioneering spirit extends beyond the lab, demonstrated by her outstanding leadership roles within the field, serving as President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. Her exemplary contributions have been internationally recognized, receiving several prestigious awards, including the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award and the L’Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. Rossant has been inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Canada, and as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences. Truly, Rossant’s scientific spirit and her relentless pursuit of excellence continue to ignite and inspire future generations of scientists.
1983 Banting Discovery Awardee
Charles Hollenberg
Dr. Charles Hollenberg is an inspiration to many in the world of medicine. His dedication to understanding diabetes led him to groundbreaking research on body fat processing, which has helped improve diabetes management. But Dr. Hollenberg’s impact extends far beyond his research. He played a crucial role in establishing the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, a beacon of innovation in diabetes research. Additionally, his contributions to Cancer Care Ontario have provided invaluable information to health professionals and policymakers. Dr. Hollenberg’s work has earned him numerous prestigious awards and honors, but it is his legacy of ongoing efforts to enhance diabetes care and cancer knowledge that truly sets him apart. Let Dr. Hollenberg’s story inspire you to pursue your passions and make a difference in the world.
1965 Banting Discovery Awardee
Rose Johnstone
Rose Mamelak Johnstone’s incredible and awe-inspiring story of discovery and innovation is truly one for the ages. Without a doubt, her trailblazing breakthrough of exosomes has not only revolutionized the medical field, but it has also expanded our understanding of the human body and the miraculous ways it operates. Exosomes have unlocked endless opportunities and avenues to explore, particularly in regards to diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and brain disorders. Her groundbreaking research has enabled us to learn more about how we can better fight against some of the most harrowing conditions that afflict human beings. Her enduring legacy has given rise to countless possibilities, inspiring researchers and patients alike to persevere and keep hope alive. Rose Mamelak Johnstone will forever be remembered as a beacon of inspiration and hope, a testament to the indelible transformational power of science and its ability to change the world for the better.
1965 Banting Discovery Awardee
Just to name a few...
Thanks to your generous support, the Banting Research Foundation has awarded 1,374 grants since 1925. Your contributions have empowered early-career health and biomedical researchers across Canada to make groundbreaking discoveries and advancements that shape the future of healthcare.
Your support has helped us nurture exceptional talent in the field of health research. As a result, 32 of our alumni have been recognized and inducted into the prestigious Order of Canada, a special honor given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country. This recognition highlights the remarkable impact and influence of the research your donations have made possible.
Through your support, we have been able to identify and support exceptional researchers who have gone on to achieve remarkable success. In fact, an impressive 88% of our grant recipients have secured highly competitive Tri-Council Funding within just five years. Tri-Council Funding is a special type of financial support provided by major funding agencies in Canada. It enables researchers to carry out their important work, helping them advance knowledge and make meaningful contributions to their fields of study.
See the evidence of our impact.
the numbers tell the story.
Empowering research to
combat climate change
Jennifer McAlister Geddes' research primarily focuses on understanding the interactions between hosts (like humans, animals, or plants) and pathogens (such as bacteria and fungi) during disease. Her work helps understand how pathogens may adapt to environmental changes caused by climate change. This research can provide insights into how global warming might affect infectious disease dynamics. Consequently, it could guide the development of strategies to mitigate these effects.
2020 Banting Discovery Awardee
Pierre-Yves Lozach studies how viruses can make people and animals sick. His research shows that climate change and human activities can make these viruses spread more easily. For example, there's a virus called Rift Valley fever that is carried by mosquitoes and can infect animals and humans. Because of climate change, some types of mosquitoes are now found in new places, and this virus could end up there too. Warmer temperatures and changes in rainfall help mosquitoes thrive, which means more diseases like Rift Valley fever could spread. Lozach's research helps us understand how climate change affects the spread of these diseases.
2013 Banting Discovery Awardee
Kate Weinberger, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, is studying the impact of heat waves on child health. Heat waves can cause a significant increase in illn esses and deaths, and children are especially vulnerable. However, there is limited research on how heat waves specifically affect younger populations. Professor Weinberger aims to examine the relationship between heat waves and child health in various communities across Canada. The research also aims to identify the factors that make certain children and neighborhoods more vulnerable to hot weather. This study is crucial because heat waves are expected to become more frequent and intense in the future due to climate change. By understanding these impacts, we can take appropriate measures to protect the health of children in a warming world.
2020 Banting Discovery Awardee
Dave Richard, a researcher at Université Laval, is investigating the malaria parasite, a disease that affects millions of people globally. Climate change is exacerbating the problem by creating more favorable conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, and as temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change, mosquitoes are spreading to new areas. This increases the risk of malaria transmission in regions that were previously unaffected. Dr. Richard's research aims to understand how the malaria parasite invades red blood cells, which can inform the development of new drugs, control measures, and vaccines. By addressing the impact of climate change on malaria transmission, his work contributes to finding effective strategies to combat this devastating disease.
2013 Banting Discovery Awardee
Edward Ian Patterson's research on invasive mosquitoes in Canada has significant implications for climate change and human health. As the climate shifts, these mosquitoes are expected to become more established in Canada, leading to longer seasons for virus transmission. Patterson investigates how these mosquitoes spread viruses and explores the use of harmless viruses as a preventive measure against dangerous pathogens. His research also involves surveillance of mosquitoes, uncovering insect-specific viruses that may have potential for controlling disease transmission. This work offers a promising platform to inhibit the spread of various arthropod-borne pathogens, providing valuable insights into mitigating the impacts of climate change on human health.
2021 Banting Discovery Awardee
Here's to our awardees
Sagi Abelson, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Computational Biology, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research – Exploring the blood of cancer patients at the…
Matthieu P. Boisgontier, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa – Retraining the automatic reaction to physical activity and sedentary…
Angela C. Cheung, MD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute – Machine Learning in HCC Liver cancer…
Owais Khan, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Electrical, Computer & Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University – Healing Broken Hearts with Computer Simulations Coronary…
Glen McGee, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo – Addressing Informative Presence Bias in Analyses of…
J. Patrick Murphy, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Biology, University of Prince Edward Island – Exploring an alternative approach to targeting serine biosynthesis-dependent…
Andrew A. Nicholson, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Psychiatry & Behavourial Sciences, McMaster University – Regulating Neural Connectivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with…
Heather Prime, C. Psych
2021 Discovery Awardee
Psychology, York University – A Family Recovery Program to Support Child Mental Health During and…
Holly Sparks, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA
2021 Discovery Awardee
Veterinary Clinical & Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary – Establishing Non-invasive Diagnostic Criteria for Tissue…
Nicole Templeman, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Biology, University of Victoria – Limiting insulin levels to enhance egg cell quality and female…
Kim Tsoi, MD, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System – Development of a Nanoparticle-Based Approach to Treat Lung…
Alanna Weisman, MD, PhD
2021 Discovery Awardee
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto – Impact of socioeconomic factors on insulin pump use…
Lindsay Cahill, PhD
Discovery Award 2020
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland – Understanding the Effects of Treatment to Prevent…
Chantelle Capicciotti, PhD
Discovery Award 2020
Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Queen’s University – Harnessing…
Kate Weinberger, PhD
Discovery Award 2020
School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia – Heat…
Che Colpitts, PhD
The Jarislowsky Fellowship – Banting Discovery Award 2020
Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Queen’s University – Membrane Re-modelling as…
Jennifer Geddes-McAlister, PhD
The Jarislowsky Fellowship – Banting Discovery Award 2020
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph – Combatting Fungal Infections through the…
Malika Oubaha, PhD
The Jarislowsky Fellowship – Banting Discovery Award 2020
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec at Montreal – Premature Aging of Blood Vessels…
Dylan Kobsar, PhD
CANSSI Ontario – Banting Discovery Award 2020 in Data Science
Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University – Stepping Out of the Lab: New methods to translate…
Lindsay Bodell, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychology, Western University – Negative Affect and Reward Processing in Individuals with Binge…
Andrea Bombak, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick – Intersections of Weight Stigma in New Brunswick…
Mahsa Jessri, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Food, Nutrition, and Health, University of British Columbia – Dietary Patterns and Food…
Benoit Laurent, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biochemistry, Université de Sherbrooke – Deciphering the epigenetic regulation of alternative splicing in…
Daiva Nielsen, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Human Nutrition, McGill University – Characterization of the workplace food environment in Montreal…
Arneet Saltzman, PhD
2019 Banting Research Foundation/McLaughlin Centre Discovery Awardee
Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto – Investigating the role of heterochromatin…
Nicholas Strzalkowski, PhD
2019 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biology, Mount Royal University – Sensory Feedback in Dystonia Muscle sensory feedback is…
Ali Abdul-Sater, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University – Dissecting the role of TRAF1 in…
Kyle Biggar, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biology, Carleton University – Identification of new substrates of the histone methyltransferase enzyme,…
Dylan Cooke, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University – Accelerated mapping of individual variation…
Robert Huber, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biology, Trent University – Using the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum to study Batten…
Nomazulu Dlamini, MD PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children – Studying neural network reorganization in dystonia…
Salim Islam, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier – Understanding colonization and persistence in…
Ian Rodrigue-Gervais, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Infectious Diseases, INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier – Examining the function of mitochondrial proteases…
Rebecca Shapiro, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph – Using genetic and functional genomic…
John Trant, PhD
2018 Discovery Awardee
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor – Developing enzymatically-resistant carbohydrate vaccines for treating…
Florian Bentzinger, PhD
2017 Discovery Awardee
Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Universite de Sherbrooke – Niche regulation of muscle stem cell specification Dr…
Jennifer Gordon, PhD
2017 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychology, University of Regina – HPA axis dysregulation in the etiology of perimenopausal…
Catherine Larochelle, MD PhD
2017 Discovery Awardee
CRCHUM, Department of Neurosciences, Universite de Montreal – Molecular mechanisms underlying T lymphocytes interactions with…
Gareth Lim, PhD
2017 Discovery Awardee
CRCHUM, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal – Evaluating the therapeutic potential of 14-3-3ζ for…
Adena Scheer, MD
2017 Discovery Awardee
Department of Surgery, St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and the University of…
Julien van Grevenynghe, PhD
2017 Discovery Awardee
Department of Infectious diseases, immunity, cancer and epidemiology, INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier and the Université…
Jeanette Boudreau, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University – Directing natural killer cell cytotoxicity to the…
Christopher Dennison, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta – Impact severity metric for focal head and…
Jeffrey Gagnon, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biology, Laurentian University – Investigating the role of H2S in the regulation of…
Kaitlyn McLachlan, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychology, University of Guelph – Evaluating novel neurobiomarkers in the identification of adults…
Noam Miller, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University – Exploring neural mechanisms of social behavior using zebrafish…
Roxane Paulin, PhD
2016 Discovery Awardee
Department of Medicine, Université Laval – Targeting ErbB2 by TAK-165 reverses pulmonary hypertension in vitro…
Jeffrey Chen, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan – Towards a next generation of superior BCG tuberculosis vaccines Tuberculosis…
Jeremy Hirota, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
Department of Medicine University of British Columbia – A 3D-printed human airway model for studying…
Petra Kienesberger, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dalhousie University – Role of the adipokine autotaxin in…
Morgan Langille, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
Department of Pharmacology Dalhousie University – Design and implementation of a human microbiome interaction database…
Joon Lee, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
School of Public Health and Health Systems University of Waterloo – Personalized predictive analytics based…
Catherine Martel, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
Department of Medicine Université de Montréal/ Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre – Lymphatic vessel function…
Michael Suits, PhD
2015 Discovery Awardee
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Wilfrid Laurier University – Protein structure-function relationships in periodontal disease…
Emanuel Rosonina, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biology, York University – Regulation of transcription and splicing factors by sumoylation SUMO…
Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo – The role of binocular vision in the development…
Jeffrey Leyton, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Université de Sherbrooke – An advanced development in targeted…
Jennifer Heisz, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University – Examining the dose-response relationship between physical exercise and cognitive…
Yannick Doyon, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval – In vivo genome editing as a novel class…
Benoît Arsenault, PhD
2014 Discovery Awardee
Department of Medicine, Université Laval – Impact of a lifestyle modification program on high-density lipoprotein…
Craig Bailey, PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph – Nicotinic receptor signaling in a mouse model…
David Chatenet, PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Centre INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier – Design and synthesis of peptide inhibitors of PqsE as novel antibacterial…
Margaret K Hahn, MD PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – Central insulin to prevent olanzapine-induced adiposity: a rodent…
Pierre-Yves Lozach, PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Centre INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier Bunyavirus entry into mammalian cells Bunyaviridae is a large family…
Dave Richard, PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d’immunologie, Université Laval – Protein trafficking to the apical complex of…
Marie-Ève Tremblay, PhD
2013 Discovery Awardee
Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval – Microglial relationships with synaptic elements in Alzheimer’s disease…
Alexandre Douplik, PhD
2012 Discovery Awardee
Physics Department, Ryerson University – Surface-enhanced Raman fiber sensor for endoscopic early detection of tumor-related…
Carl Ernst, PhD
2012 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University – Functional analysis of the 16p11.2 locus using patient-derived induced-pluripotent…
Dennis Jensen, PhD
2012 Discovery Awardee
Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, McGill University – Physiological mechanisms of dyspnea relief and…
Martin Lévesque, PhD
2012 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Université Laval – Molecular mechanisms of axon guidance mediated by…
Michelle Scott, PhD
2012 Discovery Awardee
Department of Biochemistry, Université de Sherbrooke – Characterization of a novel function of small RNAs…
Marcelo Berlim, MD
2011 Discovery Awardee
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University – Remediating decision-making deficits in depressed subjects at high risk…
Simon Lees, PhD
2011 Discovery Awardee
Faculty of Medicine, Lakehead University – The IL-6 paradox in the development of insulin resistance…
Tara Moriarty, PhD
2011 Discovery Awardee
Matrix Dynamics Group, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto – Vascular adhesion mechanisms of the…
Takako Niikura, DVM PhD
2011 Discovery Awardee
Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University – Regulation of amyloid beta metabolism In Alzheimer’s…
Jonathan Perreault, PhD
2011 Discovery Awardee
INRS – Institut Armand Frappier – Regulation in the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia by the MAEB…
