Dr. Samuel Aparicio
Breast cancer researcher Samuel Aparicio has been named the winner of the fifth annual Aubrey J. Tingle Prize.
Dr. Aparicio is a Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology and Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. His research encompasses cancer genomics, mouse genetic models, high-throughput screens, and translational breast cancer research.
His most recent work on the molecular taxonomy of breast cancer led to identification of new genes that could change the way breast cancer is diagnosed, and could be the basis of next-generation treatments. This discovery was preceded by another breakthrough in decoding the genetic makeup of the most-deadly form of breast cancer, known as triple-negative subtype.
Dr. Aparicio is also interested in tumour heterogeneity, and is involved in developing genomically and clonally characterised xenograft models of breast cancer. He collaborates widely with other groups, with current projects including the genomic and biochemical analysis of lymphoma, ovarian cancer, and several rare pediatric cancers.
His contributions to academic research have been widely published in scientific and clinical journals such as Nature, Science, Cell and the New England Journal of Medicine. He is the recipient of numerous awards from academic as well as industrial institutions.
“Dr. Aparicio is an internationally recognized breast cancer and genomics scholar who has led landmark studies that have revolutionized the field of molecular oncology,” says Diane Finegood, MSFHR president & CEO. “His research projects, including the world’s largest global study of breast cancer tissue, have had far-reaching impacts on diagnosing and treating breast cancer.”
Created in honour of Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)’s founding president & CEO, this award is given to a British Columbia researcher whose work in health research is internationally recognized and has significant impact on advancing clinical or health services and policy research. Dr. Aparicio will receive the $10,000 award at an MSFHR event to be scheduled in the coming weeks.