In September 2016, the Banting Research Foundation welcomed 60 guests to a celebration of Banting’s Legacy, the Art and Science of Discovery. Frederick Banting’s accomplishments as a scientist and an artist inspired the theme for the evening.
The reception honoured Janet Rossant, CC, PhD, FRS, FRSC, recipient of the 2016 Henry G Friesen International Prize in Health Research. Dr Rossant, a world-renowned expert in developmental biology, is currently the President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation, and formerly was Chief of Research at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The Friesen Prize, established in 2005 by the Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR), recognizes exceptional innovation by a visionary health leader of international stature.
Early in her research career, Dr Rossant received a Banting Research Foundation grant to support her work on the role of genes in embryo development. She credits the early support of the Foundation in setting her course toward her later outstanding accomplishments and awards.
University Professor Emeritus Michael Bliss, author of Banting: A Biography, spoke about Frederick Banting’s medical education at the University of Toronto, and how it instilled in him a belief that doing research was an important part of treating patients effectively. The same spirit of research led to the creation in 1925 of the Banting Research Foundation, Canada’s oldest medical research foundation.
On display were three small oil sketches by Frederick Banting, doctor, scientist and artist, painted during some of his many painting expeditions with AY Jackson.
Photo credits: Cristina Castellvi and John Ambrose
