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OICR researchers are experts in a wide range of topics related to cancer. They are behind many of the latest innovations shaping cancer care in Ontario and around the world.

The experts below are available to comment on their own research, as well as the latest developments in their field. Reach out and we can set up an interview, or connect you with other cancer experts based across the province.

To book an interview, please contact:

Daniel Punch
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
dpunch@oicr.on.ca
647-291-4583

Dr. Christine Williams
Dr. Christine Williams Acting President and Head of Implementation Science
Immunologist and research leader promoting the uptake of cancer innovations by policymakers and healthcare providers.
Area of Expertise
Diseases
  • Paedatric cancer
Topics
  • Health policy
  • Implementation science
Dr. Sagi Abelson
Dr. Sagi Abelson OICR Investigator
Computational biologist investigating age-related genetic and epigenetic information to explain cancer mechanisms, and advance cancer risk assessment and early detection.
Area of Expertise
Diseases
  • Leukemia
  • Ovarian cancer
Topics
  • Biology
  • Early detection and diagnosis
  • Informatics and Data Standards
Dr. Philip Awadalla
Dr. Philip Awadalla National Scientific Director for the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health; Senior Advisor/Research Associate, Ontario Health Study
Genomics and population health expert harnessing machine learning to study how biology and environment contribute to diseases like cancer.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Biology
  • Cancer origins
  • Informatics and Data standards
  • Prevention
Dr. Jane Bayani
Dr. Jane Bayani Co-Director, Diagnostic Development
Global leader in cancer genomics and data management driving biomedical research by making large and complex datasets findable, accessible and usable.
Area of Expertise
Diseases
  • Breast cancer
Topics
  • Biomarkers
  • Diagnostics
  • Pathology
Dr. Mélanie Courtot
Dr. Mélanie Courtot Director and Principal Investigator I, Genome Informatics
Bioinformatics specialist building software systems that store, organize and compute over large and complex datasets to help gain new insights on human health.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Informatics
  • Informatics and Data Standards
Peter Goodhand
Peter Goodhand CEO, Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH)
Senior global leader working to advance responsible genomic and health data sharing and accelerate progress from genomic research into health.
Area of Expertise
Diseases
  • All
Topics
  • Genomics
  • Information and Data Science and Precision Medicine
Dr. Shraddha Pai
Dr. Shraddha Pai OICR Investigator
Genomics and epigenetics researcher combining experimental and computational approaches to develop diagnostic tests and medications for childhood and adult brain cancer.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Informatics and Data Standards
Dr. Trevor Pugh
Dr. Trevor Pugh Senior Investigator and Director, Genomics
Genomics researcher and clinical laboratory geneticist using molecular testing to develop new ways to detect and treat cancer.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Biology
  • Informatics and Data Standards
Dr. Jüri Reimand
Dr. Jüri Reimand OICR Investigator
Computational biologist using machine learning to analyze data on the molecular makeup of cancer cells to find clues to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Biology
  • Informatics and Data Standards
Dr. Jared Simpson
Dr. Jared Simpson Interim Scientific Director, Computational Biology and Senior Principal Investigator
Computational biologist creating algorithms and software to interpret data from sequencing genomes.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Biology
  • informatics and data standards
Dr. Melanie Spears
Dr. Melanie Spears Co-Director, Diagnostic Development
Cancer researcher helping bring new technologies to diagnose cancer to the clinic so patients receive the most appropriate treatment
Area of Expertise
Diseases
  • Breast cancer
Topics
  • Biology
  • Biomarkers
  • Diagnostics
  • Early Detection and Diagnosis
  • Pathology
  • Cancer Treatment
Dr. Lincoln Stein
Dr. Lincoln Stein Acting Scientific Director and Head of Adaptive Oncology
Global leader in cancer genomics and data management supporting biomedical research by making large and complex biological datasets findable, accessible and usable.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Biology
  • Cancer origins
  • Early Detection and Diagnosis
  • Informatics and Data standards
Stephen Sundquist
Stephen Sundquist Executive Director, 3CTN – the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network
Improving the efficiency and impact of high quality, Canada-led academic cancer clinical trials and supporting equitable trial access for all patients.
Area of Expertise
Topics
  • Clinical trials
News Releases
Jun 09, 2025
Partnership to support Indigenous researchers, ensure that cancer research reflects the needs of Indigenous groups and that it results in better care
Apr 03, 2025
Promising drug discovery research gets funding boost from Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Oct 02, 2024
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research funding aims to speed the development of new drugs for some of the most common cancers
See more news releases
Resources
OICR Brand Guidelines
Jul 28, 2021
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