The Gairdner High School Symposium is a half-day event held each fall that gives secondary students and teachers the opportunity to interact with Gairdner award-winning scientists and BC Children’s Hospital researchers.
This event is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025. Grade 10-12 students can participate in-person or virtually in real-time.
The registration form will be posted for 14 days from Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:30 am to Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Students can submit the registration form any time during this week. For more information, see symposium webpage, registration guidelines or contact Jessica Shum jshum@cmmt.ubc.ca.
ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WILL BE CONTACTED.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Hayden, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia
Monday, October 20, 2025
In-person Monday, October 20 | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Venue: Chan Centre for Family Health Education at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute 938 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4
Schedule
| 9:00 a.m. | Registration |
| 9:15 a.m. | Welcome by Dr. Michael Hayden |
| 9:20 a.m. | Introduction of Dr. Paul Negulescu by Dr. Hayden |
| 9:22 a.m. | Presentation by Dr. Negulescu |
| 9:52 a.m. | Dr. Hayden to lead Q&A session period for Dr. Negulescu |
| 10:02 a.m. | Introduction of Dr. Christian Landry by Dr. Wyeth Wasserman |
| 10:05 a.m. | Presentation by Dr. Landry |
| 10:35 a.m. | Dr. Wasserman to lead Q&A session period for Dr. Landry |
| 10:45 a.m. | Closing remarks by Dr. Hayden |
| 11:00 a.m. | Light refreshments |
| 11:15 a.m. | High school students proceed to lab tours |
Lab Tours
Graduate students, postdocs, and trainees will showcase their latest ideas and discoveries in health research, to inspire little minds, and provide first-hand knowledge and experience of diverse careers available in science and medicine.
Virtually Monday, October 20 | 9:15 am – 10:45 am
SPEAKERS:
Our 2025 Vancouver Gairdner presenters will be:
Dr. Paul Negulescu, PhD
Senior Vice President, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
2025 Canada Gairdner International Award Laureate
“For pioneering research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, leading to the development of transformative drug therapies based on these mechanisms, thereby improving and saving countless lives.’’
Dr. Christian Landry, PhD
Professor of Biology and Biochemistry, Laval University; Canada Research Chair in Cellular Systems and Synthetic Biology
2024 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award Laureate
“For the development of novel approaches that combine synthetic biology, experimental evolution, and systems biology to address fundamental questions about gene function relevant to health and human disease.”
Student Registration
All Grade 10-12 students are eligible to participate in the Gairdner High School event. Registration is required.
Please see Gairdner Foundation for more information about the Gairdner Foundation.
For inquiries – (604) 875-3823, Jessica Shum @ jshum@cmmt.ubc.ca
This event is hosted in conjunction with the Center for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) and the Canada Gairdner Foundation, recognizing the world’s most creative and accomplished biomedical scientists who are advancing humanity and the world.