A full professor at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist in cancer therapeutics at The Ottawa Hospital’s research institute, Dr. Bell’s internationally renowned work has now earned him a prestigious “Lifetime Contribution Prize” from the Canadian Cancer Society, the largest national cancer charity.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s award is given to an “esteemed investigator” who has enhanced the country’s “cancer research landscape through their vision and leadership in the development of networks, collaborations, resources, and/or infrastructure” to significantly benefit those affected by cancer.
Dr. Bell says it’s a “true honour” to be recognized by the CCS and his peers with this lifetime achievement prize.
“I share this award with all of my colleagues in Ottawa and across the country who I have been fortunate to have collaborated with over the last 30 years and the many trainees and support staff who have been part of my research team,” Dr. Bell says.
“My research program has flourished in large part from the support of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the Ottawa community.”
Dr. Bell wears many hats, to say the least. To name a few: He’s a co-founder of Turnstone Biologics, he’s the founder of the Canadian Oncolytic Virus Consortium, the scientific director of the BioCanRx nonprofit, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Over the years, he’s done significant work ramping up Canada’s capacity to manufacture a range of biotherapeutics.
Most recently, he’s been helping to lead a major initiative dubbed the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP2H) as scientific co-lead. With a $115 million grant, the Hub will boost Canada’s capacity to develop and manufacture life-saving biotherapeutics, including vaccines, gene therapies and cell therapies.
Check out this article in the Ottawa Citizen to learn more about Dr. Bell’s award and his important achievements in fighting cancer, the second leading cause of death globally.