Dr. Harold Cook, a research scientist in pediatrics and biochemistry for 34 years, now champions the cause of medical research in his role as Dean of Medicine.
"I am constantly impressed by the calibre of research I see here at Dalhousie Medical School," says Dr. Cook. "Our medical researchers have made truly significant discoveries that have added to the body of scientific knowledge and improved patient care here at home and around the world."
Among their many achievements, Dalhousie researchers have discovered:
- a breakthrough that changed the accepted theory about the cause of chronic rejection of heart transplants.
- the gene that causes a rare eye disease.
- a link between healthy lifestyle and the prevention of Alzheimer disease.
- stem cell transplants can replace brain cells killed by Parkinson Disease.
- muscle cell transplants can repair heart attack damage.
- a common virus can infect and kill cancer cells.
Dalhousie researchers are working on gene, cell, drug and immune therapies for cancer and heart disease, as well as neurological, genetic and autoimmune diseases. They are developing new-generation vaccines and antibiotics against superbugs. hey are working tirelessly to uncover the causes, treatments and cures of disease - and ultimately to prevent disease in the first place.
In 25 years research funding in the Faculty of Medicine has grown from $3 million to $43 million and the way research is done has changed dramatically as well. "Researchers used to work primarily on their own, with limited facilities at their disposal," notes Dr. Cook. "Now, we are working in interactive teams across many disciplines, in state-of-the-art facilities built with crucial support from the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation. This has quickened the pace of discovery and attracted international attention and major program funding."
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation has granted more than $17 million for research equipment, salaries and facilities over the past 25 years. These grants and awards have helped launch stellar careers and recruited superstars of science to Dalhousie. Today, the Foundation provides more than $1.5 million in research funding each year. Their support has helped leverage additional funding from national granting agencies, attracting millions of dollars to this region.
Dr. Harold Cook emphasizes, "Those who support the Foundation are the true superheroes".