The Revolution in Health Research

After PhD studies at the University of Toronto, and postdoctoral work in London, Alan worked at the Ontario Cancer Institute and then the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (eventually as Director of Research). As inaugural president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; 2000–2007), he led the transformation of health research in Canada and an almost tripling of the budget for health research. He then was named executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (2008–2012). Since 2012, Alan has been president of CIFAR, Canada’s global research institute, where he has led major initiatives to increase CIFAR’s programs of research and global impact, and launched new programs to nurture the world’s next generation of researchers. Author of 250 scientific and 50 op-ed and lay publications, Alan has received numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Orders of Canada and Ontario, honorary degrees, the Gairdner Wightman Award, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and the Henry Friesen International Prize.

Western Faculty Profile: Dr. John Di Guglielmo

Dr. John Di Guglielmo was born and raised in Montreal, where he completed his BSc and PhD degrees in Biochemistry at McGill University. During this time, he discovered and grew his passion for conducting basic cancer research. After his post doctorate fellowship at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON), Dr. Di Guglielmo came to Western University as an Assistant Professor. Today, he is an Associate Professor in the Physiology and Pharmacology department at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Cheryl Yip, an Academic Affairs Coordinator for WURJHNS, had the opportunity to interview Dr. Di Guglielmo to learn more about his career in research.