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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. Laszlo Radvanyi
President and Scientific Director
Senior research executive leading world-class scientific program and studying immunotherapy and how chronic inflammation drives cancer.
Area of Expertise
Topics
- immunotherapy
Dr. Christine Williams
Executive Vice 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
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. Rima Al-Awar
Head, Therapeutic Innovation and Drug Discovery
Drug discovery scientist working to translate new discoveries from Ontario’s scientific community into therapies that will benefit cancer patients.
Area of Expertise
Topics
- Cancer treatment
Dr. Philip Awadalla
Director, Computational Biology
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
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
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
Dr. Steven Gallinger
Head, Clinical Translation and Director, PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative
Surgical oncologist who studies gastrointestinal cancer genetics, including inherited and acquired drivers of colorectal and pancreatic cancer.
Area of Expertise
Diseases
- Pancreatic cancer
Topics
- Biology
- Cancer origins
- Early detection and diagnosis
- Treatment
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
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
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
OICR 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
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
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
Dr. Lincoln Stein
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
News Releases
Apr 18, 2024
New “window-of-opportunity” clinical trials explore cutting-edge treatments for cancers of the liver, head and neck
Nov 03, 2023
Study shows that smoking ‘stops’ cancer-fighting proteins, causing cancer and making it harder to treat
Oct 24, 2023
Blood test detects tumours early in families with cancer
Resources
OICR Brand Guidelines
Jul 28, 2021
Download the OICR brand guidelines.
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