Dr. Anthony (Tony) Pawson is called a cell biology “revolutionary” by peers and admirers the world over for transforming our understanding of the way cells work in health and in disease. Dr. Pawson is a world leader in signal transduction – the way in which cells control one another’s behaviour through chemical signals.

In June 2008, Dr. Pawson, Distinguished Investigator at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, became the first Canadian scientist to be named a Kyoto Prize Laureate. This honour, bestowed by the Kyoto Foundation in Japan, recognizes his contribution to science and to the betterment of humankind.

“It was an extraordinary honour to receive the 2008 Kyoto Prize for our work on communication between human cells,” says Dr. Pawson. “It is a real endorsement of the importance of fundamental scientific discovery in the fight against diseases such as cancer, and it is particularly exciting to see Canadian biomedical research being recognized by such a prestigious award.”

Dr. Pawson has devoted almost a quarter of a century - the best part of his illustrious scientific career - to Mount Sinai Hospital's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute.

The Lunenfeld is critical to the Hospital’s healthcare and academic mission, and to advancing the future health of all Canadians. The Lunenfeld team of exceptional scientists contribute to Mount Sinai’s culture of research-based medicine –- advancing diabetes research, cancer biology, stem cell research, neurobiology, systems biology and women’s and infants’ health.

In February 2009, Dr. Pawson delivered a lecture to 300 people in Toronto at the MaRS Discovery District in recognition of his Kyoto Prize win. Amongst the attendees at the high-profile event was the Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation, John Wilkinson, who announced a $500,000 investment award to Dr. Pawson’s lab to match the prestigious $500,000 Kyoto Prize.

“Ontario is proud to recognize Dr. Pawson for his groundbreaking work. I’m pleased to once again demonstrate our government’s commitment to invest in Ontario’s greatest asset – our people. It is their imagination, talent, skills and hard work that will strengthen our economy, improve our lives, and create good jobs for the future,” said Minister Wilkinson.

Responsible for redefining the world’s fundamental understanding of cell biology, and one of the top 25 cited scientists in the world, Dr. Pawson stays humble about his achievements.

“The Kyoto Prize is more than an acknowledgment of the work that my laboratory has done; it recognizes the extraordinary scientific environment in Toronto and throughout Canada.”