Conference Committees

The success and impact of the Canadian Cancer Research Conference is driven in large part by our committees, representing advocates and leaders in cancer research from across Canada. Their time, thoughtfulness, and expertise are deeply appreciated.

Executive Planning Committee (EPC)

The Executive Planning Committee ensures the organization of a relevant and engaging conference. It is responsible for overseeing the development of support opportunities and logistical aspects of the conference.

Helmut Hollenhorst headshot photo Co-chair

Helmut Hollenhorst, MD, BRMC, FRCPC
Senior Medical Director, NSH Cancer Care Program
Medical Director QEII, NSH Central Zone Cancer Center
Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University

Jim Woodgett Co-chair

Jim Woodgett, PhD
President & Scientific Director, Terry Fox Research Institute
Senior Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Ruth Ackerman
Patient Partner

Judy Bray
Canadian Cancer Society

Don Desserud
Patient Partner

Fei-Fei Liu
Canadian Institutes of Health Research – ICR

Jean-Yves Masson
Réseau de recherche sur le cancer, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé

Paul O’Connell
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

Dajan O’Donnell
Cancer Research Society

Paula Robson
Alberta Health Services

Jordan Warford
Nova Scotia Health

Rebecca Tamarchak
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

 

Scientific Program Committee (SPC)

The Scientific Program Committee spearheads the development of scientific content by identifying novel session themes, chairs, and speakers, and overseeing abstract review and selection.

Sherri headshot Co-chair

Sherri Christian, PhD
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Deputy Head, Graduate Studies, Memorial University of Newfoundland;
Assistant Scientific Director, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute;
Program Lead, Atlantic Cancer Consortium, Marathon of Hope; Cancer Centres, Terry Fox Research Institute

Robin Urquhart 019Web Co-chair

Robin Urquhart, PhD
Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia Division) Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research;
Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University;
Scientific Director, Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (Atlantic PATH);
Senior Scientist, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute; Affiliate Scientist, Nova Scotia Health Authority

Ali Bashashati
University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Jeanette Boudreau
Dalhousie University, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

David Busolo
University of New Brunswick, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

Melissa Coombs
Patient Partner

James Downar
University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital

Alice Dragomir
Université de Montréal

Shirin Abbasinejad Enger
McGill University

Annie Huang
SickKids, University of Toronto

Sachin Katyal
University of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba

Rosilene Kraft
Patient Partner

Scott Leatherdale
University of Waterloo

Paola Marcato
Dalhousie University

Michael Monument
University of Calgary

Pat Murphy
University of Prince Edward Island, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

Wendy Parulekar
Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen’s University

Gilles Robichaud
Université de Moncton, NB Centre for Precision Medicine, Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

Bertrand Routy
CHUM, CRCHUM

Peter Stirling
Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Research Institute, University of British Columbia

Franco Vizeacoumar
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, University of Saskatchewan