The Learning Institute at Women’s College Hospital (WCH), in partnership with the Gairdner Foundation, hosted the third annual Women of Gairdner event, showcasing three world-renowned scientists and Gairdner Laureates: Dr. Meghan Azad, Dr. Gagandeep Kang and Dr. Deborah J. Cook.
The event, aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in health sciences, welcomed more than 80 high school students from diverse communities. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from leading women in science, engage with healthcare experts across WCH and the University of Toronto, and learn about the global impact of scientific research and discovery.
Dr. Meghan Azad is at the forefront of groundbreaking research on breastfeeding, human breast milk, and the microbiome. In her talk, she shared her journey into science, including a notable setback in 2015 when her grant application was rejected with the assessment that it was “highly unlikely” any “magic component” in breast milk would ever be discovered.
“That was really disappointing early on in my career to have someone say what a terrible idea it was,” said Dr. Azad. “But here I am now, nine years later. You’ve got to persevere.”
Today, Dr. Azad is recognized for her pioneering work with the 2024 Canada Gairdner Momentum Award, which honors her research on human breast milk. Her lab now involves 14 people.
Her tips for students include finding – and protecting – your passion, building a diverse team and communicating in diverse forms for diverse audiences.
Dr. Gagandeep Kang has established a globally recognized and competitive research program based in India, focused on addressing the country’s specific needs while offering valuable insights for regions impacted by enteric infections. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Kang has led key studies that contributed to the development and introduction of two Indian rotavirus vaccines into the national immunization program.
Her extensive cohort-based epidemiological, environmental and clinical trial research on enteric diseases in children and their effects on life course, have significant impact on vaccine development and health policy in India and internationally.
“Never be afraid to ask for help – be curious, ask questions and find the answers,” advised Dr. Kang. “Believe you can and will solve problems and know that you can make a difference to the world.”
Dr. Deborah J. Cook is a pioneer in critical care medicine in Canada, informing best practices around the world. Her work has led to major improvements for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, including advanced life support, prevention of ICU-acquired complications, research ethics and end-of-life care.
Her research has helped to alleviate the enormous human and economic costs of critical illness for patients, families, healthcare systems and society. She has passionately improved the field of critical care across the globe.
Her advice to students inspired to enter STEM: “Try to explore the world beyond your school experiences. Expand your perspective by volunteering, connecting with people in the professional world and immersing yourself in different organizational cultures. It’s something I wish I had done more of.”
After the presentations, students had the opportunity to ask the Laureates questions in a panel discussion. The discussion was moderated by former WCH Emily Stowe high school summer students.
“I was very inspired by them and their work,” said one student. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear about their work and challenges and appreciated the Q&A opportunity.”
Students also had the opportunity to network with the Laureates and with WCH healthcare workers from various research disciplines and care programs. After the networking session, students created vision boards, where each team shared their perspectives on what science means to them. They discussed proposed solutions for upcoming challenges and shared their hopes and visions for the future of science. Common themes that emerged included the role of artificial intelligence (AI), enhanced access to education, expanded mental health services and more.
After the presentations, two students won raffle tickets to attend the Canada Gairdner Awards, where they continued their networking and engagement with Gairdner Laureates and world-renowned scientists. Additionally, 45 students had the opportunity to tour the MaRS Discovery District labs.
This year, the event hosted its first-ever livestream so that more schools could tune in. Thank you to the Gairdner Laureates, community organizations, parents, teachers and most importantly – the students – for attending another successful year of Women of Gairdner!