Awards to three New Investigators were made by TFRI in late December 2016, for a total investment of $1.3 million. A fourth New Investigator Award was also made possible through the generosity of a private donor to the Terry Fox Foundation, the late Gregory Hohn of Penticton, B.C. Each award is valued at $450,000 for a term of three years, commencing Jan. 1, 2017.
Recipients are:
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Dr. Housheng Hansen He, scientist, Princess Margaret, UHN, and assistant professor, University of Toronto Department of Medical Biophysics. “Understanding the Function of Circular RNA in Tumour Hypoxia.” Mentoring program: TFRI PPG on “A Research Pipeline for Hypoxia-Directed Precision Cancer Medicine,” led by Drs. Rob Bristow and Bradly Wouters.
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Dr. Frédérick Mallette, assistant professor, Université de Montréal Department of Medicine/Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre. “Deciphering the Oncogenic Properties of Cancer-Associated IDH1/2 Mutations.” Mentoring program: TFRI PPG in “Oncometabolism and the Molecular Pathways that Fuel Cancer,” led by Dr. Vincent Giguère.
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Dr. Peter Stirling, scientist, Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, and assistant professor, UBC Department of Medical Genetics. “Functioning SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeller Mutations in Rare and Common Tumours.” Mentoring program: TFRI PPG on “Genomics of Forme Fruste Tumours: New Vistas on Cancer Biology and Management,” led by Dr. David Huntsman.
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Dr. Trevor Pugh, scientist, Princess Margaret, UHN, and assistant professor, University of Toronto. "Single Cell Dissection and Non-Invasive Monitoring of Childhood Cancer and Immune Systems During Treatment." Mentoring program: "Precision Oncology for Young People (PROFYLE)," led by Dr. David Malkin.
TFRI has featured profiles on each recipient on our website.
A total of 10 applications were received for the competition. Reviewers said all applicants prepared high-quality research proposals and the ranking of applicants was challenging.