Dr. Janet Rossant ANDREW F. HOLMES DEAN OF MEDICINE DISTINCTION LECTURES Dr. Janet Rossant, PhD, FRS, FRSC Chief of Research, SickKids Senior Scientist, Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, SickKids Lombard Insurance Chair in Pediatric Research University Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto Title Stem cells and early lineage development When Friday, October 18, 2013 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where CP Leblond Amphitheatre Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building 3640 rue University Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Dr. Janet Rossant, SickKids Chief of Research and a world-renowned expert in developmental biology, is the definition of a trailblazer. Widely known for her studies of the genes that control embryonic development in the mouse, Dr. Rossant has pioneered techniques for following cell fate and altering genes in embryos. This work continues to resonate in medical genetic research. Her current research focuses on stem cell development and cell differentiation in the developing embryo, important areas for the study of birth defects as well as regenerative medicine. Firmly planted on the front lines of technological change, Dr. Rossant has established SickKids as a global forerunner in genetic research. Janet Rossant was born in Chatham, UK, and trained at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, United Kingdom. In 1977, Dr. Rossant moved to Canada and joined the faculty at Brock University. From 1985 to 2005, she was a leading researcher at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. She joined SickKids in 2005 and became Chief of Research of the Research Institute. She is also a University Professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Rossant has been recognized for her contributions to science with many awards, including the Killam Prize for Health Sciences, the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, the Conklin Medal from the Society for Developmental Biology, and the CIHR Michael Smith Prize in Health Research, Canada’s most prestigious health research award. She is a Fellow of both the Royal Societies of London and Canada, and is a foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Science. Dr. Rossant was most recently recognized in June 2013 in Cancun, Mexico with the Ross G. Harrison Medal (lifetime achievement award) from the International Society of Developmental Biologists. .