Gairdner Connects Students with Laureates at Annual Networking Lunch

The annual Gairdner Science Week Student Networking Lunch took place on October 24. 

Following the highly anticipated and inspirational Laureate Lectures on Thursday, October 24, 70 students eagerly joined the 2024 Canada Gairdner Award laureates and Early Career Investigators for an engaging lunch. Hosted by the Gairdner Foundation, this annual Student Networking Lunch brought together high school, undergraduate and doctoral students through our partners at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, York University, Lotus STEMM, Let’s Talk Science, SOPHICA, Visions of Science and The Knowledge Society.

70 students attended the lunch and learn with Canada Gairdner Award laureates.

This lunch provided a unique and meaningful opportunity for students from grade 9 all the way up to graduate level to connect with a Gairdner Award recipient at their table. The students were joined by the 2024 Gairdner Award laureates, Drs. Meghan Azad, Shankar Balasubramanian, Gagandeep Kang, David Klenerman, Christian Landry, Pascal Mayer, and Michel Sadelain, as well as winners of the 2024 Early Career Investigator competition, Drs. Raquel Cuella Martin, Sue Tsai, Laura Evgin, and Kathleen Houlahan.

Dr. Gagandeep Kang, 2024 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award laureate, speaking with students.

Dr. Pascal Mayer, 2024 Canada Gairdner International Award laureate, meets with students

Gairdner laureates took the time to provide career and scientific advice and mentorship, and answer the many questions the students had for them, whether it be about their life or their work. After lunch, many of the students  had the chance to tour the MaRS Discovery District labs, offering a closer look at highly collaborative world-class research facilities.

Drs. Raquel Cuella Martin and Laura Evgin, 2024 Gairdner Early Career Investigators, meet with students

Dr. David Klenerman, 2024 Canada Gairdner International Award laureate, meets with students

Thank you to our partners for helping us make the lunch happen and all the students who came with such enthusiasm and who will undoubtedly be the future of scientific research and innovation.

View the full event album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBQQ2t