Spring 2026 events united researchers, clinicians and trainees across disciplines to push the boundaries of discovery and deepen The Institute’s commitment to precision health.
SOURCE: The Institute
June 3, 2026
Spring 2026 was a season of ideas, ambition, and scientific community at The Institute. Across April and May, five research programs hosted their annual Research Days — bringing together scientists, clinicians, trainees, and collaborators to share new findings, spark meaningful discussion, and invest in the next generation of health researchers. Each event reflected the depth of expertise within The Institute’s programs and a shared drive to turn discovery into impact.
RESP Research Day 2026: Championing the Next Generation in Lung Research
Held on April 25, the 35th annual Research Day of the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases (RESP) Program featured oral presentations, rapid-fire talks, and poster sessions, with trainees at the centre of the day’s energy. Dr. Eva Kaufmann and Dr. Nermin Diab delivered talks on trained immunity and metabolic respiratory health, while the Peter T. Macklem Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett from The University of British Columbia on spatial imaging in asthma and COPD. A trainee-led panel on research career pathways rounded out a program that showcased both the science and the scientists shaping the future of respiratory research.
“This year's Research Day was a wonderful celebration of science and community. One message from our trainee-led career panel stood out: there is no single path into science — stay curious, follow what excites you, and embrace unexpected opportunities,” noted Inga Murawski, PhD, RESP program manager.
IDIGH Research Day 2026: From Exposure to Cure
On April 28, the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program hosted its 2026 Research Day under the theme From Exposure to Cure: New Perspectives on Infectious Diseases and Immune Defense. Researchers, clinicians, and trainees gathered for a day of rigorous scientific exchange, with oral and poster sessions highlighting the program’s broad research portfolio. Keynote speaker Dr. Emilia Liana Falcone (IRCM) explored the microbiome’s role in inborn errors of immunity and post-infectious conditions, while Dr. Marina Klein, Senior Scientist in the IDIGH Program at The Institute, presented on chronic viral infections in vulnerable populations.
“The IDIGH Research Day has been the vital home base of our members for a decade now. It is our annual occasion to celebrate our own internal scientific excellence and bridge our diverse research pillars, welcome new program members and learn from each other,” affirmed Eric Beliveau, PhD, IDIGH program manager.
CRP Research Day 2026: Advancing the Frontiers of Cancer Science
The Cancer Research Program (CRP) marked its 9th Annual Research Day with a full day of fundamental, translational, and clinical science, bringing together scientists, clinician-researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and trainees for a rich exchange of ideas. The day opened with Dr. Jonathan Spicer on perioperative therapy for lung cancer as a platform for discovery and cure, followed by the keynote from Dr. David Malkin (SickKids, University of Toronto), whose talk — New Frontiers for TP53 Mutation Carriers: Early Detection and Cancer Interference — oriented the conversation toward prevention in hereditary cancer. Prizes were awarded for the best oral, poster, and three-minute thesis presentations.
“The 2026 CRP research day was a fantastic success. It clearly showcased the exceptional dedication, enthusiasm and productivity of CRP scientists, staff and trainees. It is truly the best day of the academic research year,” explained Thomas Kucharski, PhD, CRP program manager.
CHHD Research Day 2026: Expanding the Frontiers of Child Health
The 11th edition of the Child Health and Human Development (CHHD) Program Research Day was a vibrant gathering of trainees and research staff presenting interdisciplinary work spanning genomics to neuroscience. Dr. Thomas Kitzler, MD, Scientist in the CHHD Program and Assistant Professor in Human Genetics at McGill University, shared compelling research on the genetic basis of chronic kidney disease, combining genomics, CRISPR/Cas9 cellular systems, and zebrafish models. The external keynote, Dr. Emma Duerden, PhD, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience & Learning Disorders at Western University, explored how screens and social media influence brain development, mental health, and learning in children and adolescents — a timely topic that sparked lively discussion.
“This year’s Research Day was a powerful reminder of the strength of our program. The presentations reflected our trainees’ dedication and the quality of our research — and a meaningful opportunity to spark new collaborations,” commented Fanny Toussaint, PhD, CHHD program manager.
Maurice McGregor Cardiovascular Research Day 2026: Celebrating Innovation in Cardiovascular Science
On May 21, The Institute welcomed cardiovascular researchers, graduate students, clinical fellows, and postdoctoral fellows for a full day of clinical, fundamental, and translational science. Oral and poster presentations spanned the breadth of cardiovascular inquiry, with lively discussions on emerging findings, technologies, and approaches in disease detection and management. A highlight of the day was the Louis & Artur Lucian Award Lecture, delivered as part of The Institute’s Distinguished Professor Lecture Series by Dr. Ziad Mallat, MD, PhD — Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Cambridge, researcher at the Victor Philip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, and recipient of the Louis and Artur Lucian Award for Research in Circulatory Diseases. Dr. Mallat’s lecture, entitled “Cholesterol meets inflammation: a dangerous alliance driving atherosclerosis,” offered a masterful synthesis of basic and translational cardiovascular science.
“This event brought together surgeons, clinicians, researchers, fellows, and trainees from our network to discuss new findings, technologies, and approaches in cardiovascular disease detection and management,” said Mohsen Damavandi, PhD, Cardiovascular Health across the Lifespan program manager.
Looking Ahead
These Research Days reflect the strength and spirit of The Institute’s research community, where collaboration fuels innovation across disciplines. They embody the goals of The Institute’s 2030 Vision — advancing precision health across the life course and turning discoveries into impact. A heartfelt thank you to all program managers, volunteers, speakers, trainees, and everyone whose dedication made these events a success.