On May 2, 2023, the Krembil Research Institute hosted a symposium to celebrate Dr. Donald Weaver's tenure as Institute Director from 2013 to 2022.
The event, titled “The Don Weaver Symposium - Molecules, Poetry & Exploring New Approaches in Neuroscience” honoured Dr. Weaver's scholarship, mentorship, leadership and legacy at Krembil.
Watch a recording of the symposium here.
The half-day event, hosted at the BMO Education & Conference Centre, featured remarks on the birth and evolution of Krembil, including the creation of the Krembil Brain Institute, the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, as well as Krembil initiatives to support trainees. The symposium also featured high-profile academic talks on the following topics:
● the burden of neurological disease;
● new directions in the treatment of Alzheimer disease;
● targeting excitotoxicity in Alzheimer disease; and
● inflammation and its expanding role as a druggable target
The event concluded with an inspiring talk from Dr. Weaver describing his latest research on Alzheimer disease as a disorder of innate immunity and what motivates him every day: the more than 10,000 patients that he has treated for the disease during his career as a neurologist.
During the symposium, Dr. Brad Wouters, UHN’s Executive Vice President of Science and Research, announced a new funding opportunity established in honour of Dr. Weaver’s research contributions and leadership: The Donald Weaver Postdoctoral Researcher Fellowship in Neurodegeneration Research.
This fellowship will provide salary support for one postdoctoral researcher working in the field of neurodegenerative diseases within the Krembil Research Institute. The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 2, 2023 at 4:00 PM. For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, email krembil@uhnresearch.ca.
Dr. Weaver was also presented with a new research chair—the Krembil Chair in Drug Discovery in Alzheimer’s Research. This five-year chair will support his research into the design and synthesis of brain-penetrant, small-molecule therapies for Alzheimer disease.
“This chair represents a new level of support for Dr. Weaver’s innovative approaches to drug development for Alzheimer disease and related dementias,” says Dr. Wouters. “We are extremely excited about his appointment to this new chair, and we wish him continued success as he rededicates himself to research.”
A very special thanks to the generous donors, the Krembil Family, the Krembil Foundation and the UHN Foundation, for making this research chair possible.
Join us in thanking Dr. Weaver for his immense contributions to the Krembil Research Institute!
Dr. Weaver is one of few individuals worldwide who co-qualified as a neurologist and medicinal chemist. He is internationally renowned for his expertise in drug discovery and translational research in Alzheimer disease and related dementias. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles, co-founded eight biotech companies—pioneering the concept of ‘micropharma’ in biotechnology—and trained over 160 students and postdoctoral researchers.