Minds in Motion: 2025 Gairdner Connects
Thanks for joining us! Check back here for details on next year’s event in Fall 2026.
The Canada Gairdner Awards recognize the world’s leading biomedical and global health researchers. At the 2025 Gairdner Connects, you're invited to hear directly from two award recipients whose work is shaping the future of health.
Featuring Dr. Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas and Dr. Meghan Azad
This event is open to the university and external community.
Date: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
Location: Myer Horowitz Theatre, Students’ Union Building, 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB.
Schedule:
1:30 – 3:15 p.m. Lectures + Q&A
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Dean’s reception with Drs. Artavanis-Tsakonas and Azad
Undergraduate Student Session
This session is tailored to undergraduate students with an interest in health research. Dr. Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas and Dr. Meghan Azad will share insights from their career journeys and answer questions in an open Q&A.
Date: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
Location: Myer Horowitz Theatre, Students’ Union Building
Schedule:
9:45 – 11:30 a.m. Presentations + Q&A
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m Laureate reception with Drs. Artavanis-Tsakonas and Azad
About Dr. spyros artavanis-Tsakonas
Recipient of the 2025 Canada Gairdner International Award
Professor emeritus, cell biology, Harvard Medical School and Collège de France.
Dr. Artavanis-Tsakonas has pioneered work on the Notch signalling pathway and significantly contributed to our understanding of cellular communication.
About Dr. meghan azad
Recipient of the 2024 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award
Professor, pediatrics, University of Manitoba
Dr. Azad has significantly advanced our understanding of how human breast milk contributes to shaping the infant microbiome and lifelong health.