Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that focuses on the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.[1] OICR intends to make Ontario more effective in knowledge transfer and commercialization while maximizing the health and economic benefits of research findings for the people of Ontario.[2] OICR was launched in 2005 by the Government of Ontario, which provides funding through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The Institute employs more than 300 people at its research hub at the MaRS Centre in downtown Toronto and funds more than 1,900 scientific staff at hospital-based research institutes and universities around the province.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Established2005
Research typeTranslational
Field of research
Genomics, Bioinformatics, Drug Discovery, Imaging, Cancer Stem Cells, Immuno- and Bio-therapies, Clinical Trials, Health Services Research,
Staff300+
Address661 University Avenue, Suite 510
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
M5G 0A3
AffiliationsCancer Care Ontario, MaRS Innovation, International Cancer Genome Consortium, Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, NCIC Clinical Trials Group, Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH)
Websitewww.oicr.on.ca

History

Ontario Cancer Research Network

OICR’s predecessor organization was the Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCRN), a not-for-profit corporation established by the Government of Ontario in November 2001 to increase translational research related to the development of new cancer therapies. OCRN’s four main program areas were: the Ontario Tumour Bank, Clinical Trials Programs, the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board and the Cancer Research Fund. The organization was headed by Robert A. Phillips, PhD.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

In May 2005 the Government of Ontario announced its intent to launch a new cancer research institute in the province. OCRN was asked to evolve into the new institute, which would later be named OICR. OICR was formally launched by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty in December 2005.[3] OICR was designed to continue OCRN’s translational research programs while building new research capacity in the province.[4] Thomas J. Hudson, OD, MD, FRSC was appointed President and Scientific Director of OICR in June 2006[5] and Robert A. Phillips was appointed Deputy Director. Dr. Hudson consulted with the Ontario cancer research community and external experts to develop a strategic research plan for the Institute in 2006. In February 2007 the completed strategic plan was approved by the Ministry of Research and Innovation.

Other programs

Leadership
  • Rima Al-awar, PhD – Head, Therapeutic Innovation and Drug Discovery
  • Philip Awadalla, PhD – Director, Computational Biology and Program Director, Ontario Health Study
  • John Bartlett, PhD – Program Director, Diagnostic Development
  • Philippe Bedard, MD – Co-principal Investigator, OCTANE
  • John Bell, PhD – Co-leader, Immuno-oncology Translational Research Initiative (ACTION)
  • Marcus Butler, MD – Co-leader, Immuno-oncology Translational Research Initiative (ACTION)
  • Robert Campos, PhD – Interim Program Director, Genomics
  • Janet Dancey, MD – Scientific Director, Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network
  • Jeanette Dias D’Souza, M.Ed., CPA, CA, ICD.D – Vice-President of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
  • John Dick, PhD – Co-leader, Acute Leukemia Translational Research Initiative
  • Peter Dirks, MD, PhD – Co-leader, Brain Cancer Translational Research Initiative
  • Aaron Fenster, PhD – Co-program Director, Imaging
  • Steven Gallinger, MD – Leader, Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Initiative (PanCuRx)
  • Peter Goodhand, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH)
  • David Lebrun, MD – Leader, Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network
  • Janet Manzo, BScN, RN, CCRP – Executive Director, Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board
  • Amit Oza, MD – Co-leader, Ovarian Cancer Translational Research Initiative
  • Trevor Pugh, PhD – Co-director, PM-OICR Translational Research Laboratory
  • Laszlo Radvanyi, PhD – President and Scientific Director
  • Robert Rottapel, MD – Co-leader, Ovarian Cancer Translational Research Initiative
  • Aaron Schimmer, MD, PhD – Co-leader, Acute Leukemia Translational Research Initiative
  • Lillian L. Sui, MD – Co-principal Investigator, OCTANE
  • Lincoln Stein, MD, PhD – Head, Adaptive Oncology
  • Michael Taylor, MD, PhD – Co-leader, Brain Cancer Translational Research Initiative
  • Christine Williams, PhD – Deputy Director and Head, Clinical Translation
  • Martin Yaffe, PhD – Co-program Director, Imaging
  • Aaron Fenster, PhD – Co-program Director, Imaging

Facilities

OICR occupies labs and office space in the MaRS Centre in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Discovery District, the MaRS Centre’s neighbours include the University of Toronto, the Provincial Legislature, University Health Network (including Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto General Hospital and the Ontario Cancer Institute), The Hospital for Sick Children and Mount Sinai Hospital. It is also located just north of Toronto’s financial district. OICR funds research in other affiliated labs and institutions located in Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Waterloo.

The lab space in the building was designed and constructed by NXL and completed in 2008. The total space of the area is 58,000 sf. OICR is using the floors 5,6 and 8.[6] An extension of the office and lab space in the MaRS Centre was designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects in 2012.[7][8] The lobby and entrance is on the 5th floor, with a lobby, lounge and a helical staircase connecting offices and the lounge on both the 5th and the 6th floor.[9]

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References
  1. OICR website
  2. Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation
  3. FINDING NEW AND BETTER WAYS TO FIGHT CANCER - DECEMBER 2, 2005 (News Release)
  4. Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation
  5. Has Ontario found 'THE NEW MESSIAH' of cancer research? Globe and Mail, November 13, 2006
  6. NXL about the lab space of OICR
  7. Photoshoot of the OICR offices
  8. DSAI about the OICR offices
  9. Details of the OICR lounge staircase

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