2021 Gairdner Award Winners: Pictured in the Classroom

For the third year in a row, the Michael Smith Laboratories has partnered with the Gairdner Foundation and the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) to visualize and explain the work of some of the annual Canada Gairdner award winners. These awards aim to recognize excellent international research with important impacts on human health. Each year seven awards are given, and to date 402 awards have been bestowed on laureates from over 40 countries. 96 of those laureates have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes. 

In celebration of the 2021 laureates, the MSL, CSMB and Gairdner Foundation collaborated with illustrator Armin Mortazavi to create a series of animated videos and visual materials explaining the work of these accomplished researchers. 

Explore the links below to view these educational pieces. The global experience of the pandemic over the last couple years has brought science to the forefront of people’s minds, now more than ever. It is a critical time for us to support science education and public outreach. Viewers are encouraged to delve into this content and share it widely. 

Many thanks to all the students and faculty who contributed to this amazing project: Brenna Hay, Sarah Laframboise, Dr. David Ng, Farah Qaiser, Dr. Zahra Sepehri, Rhonda Thygesen, and Nicole Wang. 

Illustrations by Armin Mortazavi 

Educational Materials:

• Canada Gairdner Awards 2021 Laureate Education Materials (Full package)
• Check out the full playlist of these animated videos right here

Individual Projects:

	The Molecular Elements of Diabetes   The characterization of glucagon-like peptides has led to major advances in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and intestinal disorders.     Written by Farah Qaiser   Art by Armin Mortazavi  Read Comic >> Watch Video >>
From the Lab Bench to the Hospital Bed    The ins and outs of taking an anti-cancer treatment from discovery in the lab to the medicine you give to the patient.  Written by Zahra Sepehri and David Ng  Art by Armin Mortazavi   Read Comic >> Watch Video >>
	Virus Trackers and Preventing Pandemics  The best pandemic response is to be prepared, before animal viruses infect humans.  Written by Nicole Wang  Art by Armin Mortazavi  Read Comic >> Watch Video >>
Discovering the Breast Cancer Gene    Using math to find the link between cancer and genetic inheritance.  Written by Sarah Laframboise  Art by Armin Mortazavi Read Comic >> Watch Video >>