Featuring renowned neuropathologist and expert in pediatric brain tumours, Cynthia Hawkins, this talk is part of the McGill Department of Pathology’s Academic Scientific Day, Finlayson Day
Info:
When: June 6 at 1 p.m.
Where: Hybrid event: In-person at the RI-MUHC atrium (1001 Décarie Blvd.) or virtual: Via Zoom
About Cynthia Hawkins
Cynthia Hawkins, MD, PhD, Neuropathologist, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, is a trailblazer in paediatric brain tumour research, whose discoveries have redefined how childhood cancers are diagnosed and treated worldwide. Early in her career, she helped identify brain cancer stem cells – an insight that reshaped cancer biology.
Her research into diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), one of the most lethal childhood brain tumours, led to the discovery of critical genetic drivers and helped establish the world’s largest DIPG tissue bank. These breakthroughs transformed global classification and treatment standards. As a leader in paediatric low-grade gliomas, she has advanced molecular diagnostics that now guide targeted therapies – offering new hope to children and their families. At SickKids, she built Canada’s first clinically-licensed pan-cancer RNAseq platform, now used around the globe. A committed mentor and international collaborator, Dr. Hawkins’ work continues to drive precision medicine forward, earning her a reputation as one of the most influential voices in paediatric neuro-oncology today.