One of the most enjoyable parts of my day at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is talking with members of our community about their research. Their enthusiasm for science, discovery and innovation is infectious and energizing, and the inspiration we gain from each other is a driving force in our research. Working together with collaborators from across the globe or across the hallway, team science leverages the strengths and expertise of multiple researchers and practitioners, allowing us to best apply our diverse skills and knowledge to today’s most complex health care challenges.

Recent discoveries led by researchers at the The Institute have advanced our knowledge of cancer, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, aging, immunology, recovery from surgery, precision medicine and much more. Working from our base within the MUHC and McGill University, our teams benefit from the interdisciplinary expertise and perspectives of biomedical scientists, bioengineers, clinical researchers, patients, clinicians and health care providers. Building wider networks has also been a huge part of this success, as evidenced by our collaborations in over 90 countries.

2025 marked the official launch of our 2030 Vision, a roadmap that positions The Institute as a global leader in transformative discoveries. Guided by five research priorities—from integrating data science to advancing health equity—and supported by four enabling priorities, we are building the environment, tools and partnerships needed to accelerate progress.

This year also brought remarkable moments of discovery. Our 2025 Annual Report highlights some of the extraordinary progress unfolding at The Institute. In our laboratories, fundamental science uncovered new insights into the mechanisms of health and disease, laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s treatments. At the clinical interface, our teams led high-impact trials and developed novel diagnostics and therapies that are directly advancing patient care. Our epidemiologists drove insights to inform prevention strategies, health policy and clinical decision-making. This progress has been possible thanks to the trust and expertise shared among our teams, our patients and our partners locally, nationally and internationally. Together, they remind us why discovery matters—it is the beginning of better health for all.

I extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Directors, our partners at the MUHC and McGill University, our hospital foundations, donors, patient partners and funding agencies. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of research, delivering impactful discoveries that truly matter.

Rhian M. Touyz, MBBCh, MSc (Med), PhD, FRCP, FRSE, FMedSci, FCAHS
Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, The Institute

November 2025

ABOUT THE BANNER: Cellular imaging from the laboratories of RI-MUHC researchers Carolyn Jack, MD, PhD (immune cell distribution and IL-13 cytokine production in eczema patient skin), Hugh Clarke, PhD (granulosa-oocyte complex) and Lorenzo Ferri, MD, PhD (tumour marker identification in cancer fibroblast). Images realized at the Molecular Imaging Platform, RI‑MUHC.