Congratulations to Dr. Gordon Keller, Director of UHN's McEwen Stem Cell Institute, for receiving the 2025 Achievement Award from the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).
"Gordon Keller's groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine has illuminated the path to transforming human health," says Dr. Andrea Ditadi, Group Leader, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Italy, who led the nomination of Dr. Keller. "From his lab's world-first discovery of the hemangioblast in 1997, to his pioneering efforts in harnessing human pluripotent stem cells to repair vital organs, Dr. Keller's legacy is one of unparalleled innovation."
Dr. Keller's research "continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, offering hope for the regeneration of heart, liver and blood cells, and paving the way for new treatments in cardiovascular and hepatic diseases," adds Dr. Ditadi.
Through investigations of embryonic development, Dr. Keller's work has uncovered the stage-specific signal requirements for the directed differentiation of multiple cell types, ranging from blood, heart or pancreatic cells, laying the foundations for all modern directed differentiation approaches. These foundational insights have paved the way for the use of pluripotent stem cells in clinical trials.
"Dr. Keller's unwavering dedication not only advances science but also embodies the work ethic and vision of a life spent building something transformative, rooted in the values of hard work and discovery," Dr. Ditadi added in his nomination.
Dr. Keller will present his research at the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong in June.
"I am very grateful for this recognition," Dr. Keller says. "I have worked in the exciting field of stem cell biology for many years and have had the opportunity to contribute to advances that we believe will accelerate the translation of this research into new therapies.
"I'm indebted to the many talented trainees, research staff, and collaborators who have worked with me and whose inspiration and dedication made this possible."
ISSCR President Dr. Valentina Greco adds: "Dr. Keller and his lab's groundbreaking work and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge have made a remarkable impact. This achievement is just one of many milestones celebrating his numerous impactful contributions to our field."
Dr. Keller is internationally recognized for his contributions to our understanding of the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in culture. In December 2016, he was named scientific co-founder of BlueRock Therapeutics, a next-generation regenerative medicine company.
Dr. Keller was a founding board member of the ISSCR, a society of nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries. ISSCR 2025 is the largest meeting in the world gathering leading innovators in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation was named North American Organization of the Year at the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum Conference in Atlanta on March 13.
The PMCF produces five programs on the Forum's Canadian Top 30 ranking: The Ride To Conquer Cancer, Walk To Conquer Cancer, Road Hockey To Conquer Cancer, Journey To Conquer Cancer and Northern Pass to Conquer Cancer.
In 2024, The PMCF raised more than $30 million from peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, involving more than 10,000 participants and 160,000 donors.
"The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has taken peer-to-peer fundraising seriously for nearly a quarter century — and that has paid off by generating more than $550 million dollars to support cancer-fighting research," says David Hessekiel, Forum President. "We're so impressed by how The PMCF continues to evolve existing programs and create new ones such as Cricket To Conquer Cancer, which premieres in May."
Non-profits who organize peer-to-peer fundraising recruit supporters to take part in activities such as walks, bike rides or virtual challenges and reach out to friends, family and colleagues for donations.
"For over two decades, the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has taken immense pride in our Peer-to-Peer Fundraising programs," says Steve Merker, The PMCF's VP Corporate & Community Partnerships. "Our Board has recognized not only the critical funds these events raise but also the extraordinary long-term value they bring to our organization.
"With their unwavering support and strategic investment, we continue to expand these programs — fueling breakthroughs to improve outcomes for patients in Canada and around the globe."
Past winners of the peer-to-peer fundraising organization of the year honour include: the American Heart Association, ALS Association, Alzheimer's Association, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Pan-Mass Challenge, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NAMI and the Terry Fox Foundation.
Dr. Eleanor Fish, Emerita Scientist at UHN's Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, has been recognized by the Chief Science Advisor of Canada for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Mona Nemer awarded a medal — featuring the phrase "Above and Beyond" — for what she called Dr. Fish's "exceptional contribution to Canada's response against COVID-19."
"Interdisciplinary science is essential to manage a novel pathogen like SARS-CoV-2," Dr. Nemer wrote in the citation to Dr. Fish ahead of the fifth anniversary of the start of the pandemic in March 2020. "Your dedication and selfless contributions were essential to serving Canadians in our collective fight against COVID-19."
A world-renowned immunologist who was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2021, Dr. Fish is a professor in the Department of Immunology and Associate Chair of International Initiatives & Collaborations at the University of Toronto.
During the pandemic, Dr. Fish was on the expert scientific panel of the Chief Science Advisor and served as a member of the Therapeutics Task Force of the Government of Canada. She also undertook clinical trials with an antiviral during that time.
Congratulations Dr. Fish.
