Seven outstanding early-career researchers named 2024 Terry Fox New Investigators
Seven talented, early-career scientists in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia will each receive up to $450,000 over the next three years to support impactful cancer research through the 2024 Terry Fox New Investigator Awards program. The awards will inject more than $3.1 million in new funding to support scientific advances in early detection as well as leukemia, osteosarcoma, lymphoma and breast and prostate cancers. This is the most New Investigators ever funded by TFRI and, correspondingly, the largest total amount awarded at one time by this competition.
Notably, policy changes in 2023 aimed at diversifying the talent pool resulted in a significant increase in applications. Awards were given to researchers at six different institutions, with five in Ontario and some locations receiving this award for the first time.
The award recipients are:
British Columbia
BC Cancer Research Institute (Vancouver):
Ontario
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network (Toronto):
Women’s College Hospital (Toronto):
London Health Sciences Centre (London):
Queen’s University (Kingston):
Quebec
McGill University Health Centre (Montreal):
“We’re thrilled to announce this year’s awardees, marking the largest cohort and funding allocation in the history of the Terry Fox New Investigator Awards program,” says Dr. Jim Woodgett, TFRI President and Scientific Director. “Through this award, we are not only investing in future leaders of cancer research in Canada but also helping to promote collaboration and mentorship with more senior colleagues. We believe this is pivotal to achieving our shared goals of ending cancer and improving patient outcomes.”
Notably, Dr. Sushant Kumar has been named the Dr. Victor Ling Terry Fox New Investigator. This award, named after TFRI’s founding president and scientific director, distinguishes the highest- ranked Terry Fox New Investigator of the year.
“It’s super exciting to receive this prestigious award,” says Dr. Kumar. “This is an ambitious project with some really big, bold ideas that wouldn’t traditionally fit into a project grant, so I’m grateful that The Terry Fox Research Institute is willing to support.”
About the Terry Fox New Investigator Awards
The Terry Fox New Investigator Awards provide research operating grants to future leaders as they develop their independent careers in cancer research. The awards program requires that competition winners are mentored by two or more senior investigators of an established Canadian research group. Candidates must be scientific or clinical investigators within the first five years of a first faculty-level appointment in Canada.