Morag Park appointed President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation

The Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) is proud to congratulate Professor Morag Park on her appointment as President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation, one of the world's most prestigious organizations dedicated to recognizing excellence in biomedical research. Prof. Park, who is the Diane and Sal Guerrera Chair in Cancer Genetics at the GCI and a Distinguished James McGill Professor of Oncology, Biochemistry and Medicine, will succeed Dr. Janet Rossant in leading the Foundation’s internationally renowned awards and scientific outreach programs.

Prof. Park’s scientific legacy includes the discovery and characterization of the oncogene MET, as well as groundbreaking studies that established the importance of the tumour microenvironment in determining patient outcomes. Throughout her career she has combined extraordinary scientific vision with remarkable leadership, shaping not only the GCI, which she served as Director from 2013-2025, but also the broader Canadian and international cancer research communities. As Scientific Director of CIHR’s Institute of Cancer Research and Co-Chair of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA), Prof. Park led the development of national cancer research strategy. Through her major roles in the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN), and by building the Quebec Cancer Consortium, supported by the Quebec government (MEIE) and a coalition of partners, she has been instrumental in advancing and implementing precision oncology in Québec and across Canada.

Prof. Park’s discoveries and the many initiatives she has spearheaded and led have left a lasting impact on countless scientists, trainees, and patients. Her scientific achievements, leadership, and commitment to excellence in her own work and throughout the cancer research community have been recognized by the CCRA Award for Exceptional Leadership in Cancer Research (2015), the Robert L. Noble Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society (2017), the Grand Prix Scientifique of the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation (2019), and the Prix du Québec Armand-Frappier (2021), among many others. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2007) and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2017) and a Knight of the Order of Québec (2021), as well as a 2026 inductee of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

The Gairdner Foundation could not have chosen a more accomplished and inspiring leader. Prof. Park exemplifies the Foundation’s mission and values, and under her guidance it will continue to elevate scientific excellence, inspire future generations of researchers, and strengthen Canada’s global leadership in biomedical and health research and innovation.

The GCI community extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Park on this well-deserved appointment. We wish her every success in this exciting new chapter.