UHN is proud to partner with Johnson & Johnson—one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies—to strengthen Canada's research ecosystem through its Canada Leads initiative, supporting the recruitment and development of outstanding early-career researchers.  

Through the generous support of Johnson & Johnson, four exceptional postdoctoral researchers are being recruited to UHN to pursue innovative research in precision oncology, while gaining valuable exposure to the biopharmaceutical sector through a tailored industry engagement experience. 

Three postdoctoral researchers have already started their projects at UHN, bringing with them expertise in the precision oncology space, spanning cancer biology, drug discovery, RNA therapeutics, artificial intelligence, and computational genomics: 

  • At Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Ho Wai Lau is pursuing new strategies to target cancers driven by the MYC oncogene, one of the most significant challenges in oncology. His research combines functional genomics, molecular biology, and drug development approaches to identify vulnerabilities that could lead to more effective treatments for this group of patients. (PI: Dr. Linda Penn) 
  • At the Krembil Brain Institute, Dr. Patrick Cardwell is advancing small-molecule drug discovery programs for acute myeloid leukemia, focusing on therapeutic targets that may help eliminate treatment-resistant leukemic stem cells and minimize disease relapse. His expertise in medicinal chemistry and translational drug development will support the generation of novel therapeutic candidates with commercialization potential. (PI: Dr. Mark Reed) 
  • At Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Dr. Siwei Xu is leveraging artificial intelligence, cancer genomics, and structural biology to identify actionable cancer mutations and uncover new opportunities for precision therapeutics. Her project aims to develop computational tools that can improve the prediction of treatment resistance in cancer and help match patients with targeted therapies. (PI: Dr. Sushant Kumar) 

The fourth recruitment is in progress. 

In addition to supporting their research programs, the partnership provides a unique opportunity for researchers to engage directly with experts from Johnson & Johnson through a structured industry engagement experience. Participants will have access to mentorship, career development opportunities, organizational and industry insights, and professional networking that will complement their academic training and broaden their understanding of the biopharmaceutical innovation ecosystem. 

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation in oncology, while helping develop the next generation of scientific leaders. By pairing world-class research training with industry engagement, the initiative strengthens Canada's ability to attract top global talent, advance discoveries with translational potential, and support the future growth of the country's life sciences sector. 

UHN is grateful to Johnson & Johnson for its commitment to supporting early-career researchers and investing in the talent that will help shape the future of cancer research and therapeutic innovation in Canada.