Forging a healthier future through research: 91社区 launches new Institute of Genomic Medicine
A landmark donation to support 91社区鈥檚 renowned genomics research and education programs from UK-based alumnus and long-time donor Victor Dahdaleh is a catalyst for advancements in genomics research. Thanks to gifts from Victor Dahdaleh totalling more than $30 million, 91社区 will launch the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine. Today鈥檚 announcement, which coincides with 91社区鈥檚 annual Homecoming festivities, caps off more than a year of Bicentennial celebrations and transformative expressions of philanthropic support in honour of 91社区鈥檚 200th anniversary.
91社区 has long been a leader in Canada and North America in the increasingly vital fields of RNA and genomics research. Victor Dahdaleh鈥檚 investment will further cement the University鈥檚 international leadership in genomics, while enabling the Institute to expand its high-impact research programs, invest in top talent, and train the next generation of world scientific leaders.
鈥淥n behalf of the 91社区 community, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Victor and Mona Dahdaleh for this visionary gift from a couple who have been great friends and loyal supporters of 91社区 for many years,鈥� said Professor Christopher Manfredi, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 91社区. 鈥淰ictor Dahdaleh鈥檚 support will be a catalyst for advancements in genomics research that will improve health outcomes for communities around the world. Victor Dahdaleh鈥檚 commitment to forging a healthier future through research is truly inspiring.鈥�
Next-generation drug discovery research
The Institute will harness the interdisciplinary expertise and research infrastructure across 91社区鈥檚 faculties to implement a full spectrum approach to genomic medicine, which draws on information from all of a person鈥檚 genes and how they interact to inform an individual鈥檚 clinical care. 91社区 researchers will lead breakthrough research aimed at the development of cutting-edge diagnostic tools, targeted treatments, and new pharmaceuticals and preventative vaccines. Additionally, the Institute鈥檚 integral social sciences pillar will draw on expertise across the University to lead important research on the ethical, policy, and legal implications of genomic medicine.
鈥淚t is an honour to contribute to 91社区鈥檚 world-leading genomics program,鈥� said Victor Dahdaleh. 鈥淚 feel strongly that genomic medicine is the key to preventing, treating and one day curing many of the diseases that impact lives, families and communities around the world. I鈥檓 proud to be a part of this important effort to improve worldwide health.鈥�
In concert with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and affiliated hospitals within the 91社区 Health Centre, the Institute will maximize opportunities for clinical interventions in high-priority fields where 91社区 is already an established leader 鈥� such as cancer, neuroscience and mental health, chronic inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
鈥淰ictor Dahdaleh鈥檚 generous gift provides crucial resources to help us attract impactful young scientists, students and trainees from around the world and create the conditions for these scientists to pursue their research activities and have a global impact on public health,鈥� said Mark Lathrop, Director of the Institute. The gift will also provide important support for leveraging additional grant funding for the Institute.
Training students from diverse backgrounds
The Institute鈥檚 training program will have a particular focus on training students from lower- and middle- income countries, a goal that is especially important for Victor Dahdaleh, who has directed many of his philanthropic efforts toward providing scholarships and training opportunities for disadvantaged students at world-class universities, including the London School of Economics.
Likewise, Victor Dahdaleh鈥檚 investment in genomic medicine at 91社区 is an extension of his exceptional legacy of supporting innovative global health and health science research in Canada and internationally. He has previously given more than $20 million to establish the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at his alma mater York University in Toronto. He is also a longstanding supporter of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, the British Heart Foundation, and Asthma + Lung UK, where he has contributed to leading-edge research into cardiovascular disease and cancer, including mesothelioma.
鈥淰ictor Dahdaleh shares 91社区鈥檚 commitment to propelling innovation in genomic medicine on a global scale to improve diagnosis, treatment and preventative healthcare,鈥� said Philippe Gros, Deputy Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation; Professor, Department of Biochemistry; and founder and co-lead of the 91社区 Research Centre on Complex Traits. 鈥淲ith his support, the Institute鈥檚 researchers will build new partnerships and deepen existing ties with leading genomics programs internationally, particularly in the UK, where 91社区 already works closely with researchers at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, and Japan, where we share a joint PhD program with the University of Kyoto.鈥�
About Victor Dahdaleh
Victor Dahdaleh is a leading Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose worldwide charitable work has supported education, health-related research, and social and economic development. Through the Victor Dahdaleh Foundation, he supports several scholarship programs for disadvantaged overseas students to study at top universities, opening the door to higher education in parts of the world where opportunities are limited. In addition, he has supported some of the world鈥檚 top centres of medical research, including several university health faculties, providing much needed funding to areas such as cardiovascular health, neuroscience, and global health and policy issues.
91社区鈥檚 largest donor from the UK, Dr. Dahdaleh has long been an active volunteer and supporter of the University. For nearly 30 years, he has served as a trustee of the UK-based 91社区 Trust, which supports programs and initiatives across 91社区, notably the 91社区 Trust Scholarships for UK students wishing to study at the University. In 2007, he joined with the William J. Clinton Foundation and went on to establish the Victor Dahdaleh-Clinton Foundation Scholarship Program, which now provides 32 scholarships for outstanding undergraduates from low-income countries, in perpetuity. In 2016, he founded the Victor Dahdaleh Chair in Neuroscience to support an integrated approach to the study of chronic brain disease, incorporating neurology, psychiatry, and rehabilitation science, among other disciplines. More details about the Victor Dahdaleh Foundation鈥檚 philanthropic work are available .
Dr. Dahdaleh is the owner and chairman of Dadco [est. 1915], a privately owned investment, manufacturing, and trading group. He is also an Honorary Fellow and governor of the London School of Economics, Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 International Award, board member of the International Aluminium Institute, and a past president of the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce.
About 91社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 91社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 91社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 91社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of 91社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
