Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research designated joint McMaster–Hamilton Health Sciences research centre
The Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR) has been designated a joint McMaster University–Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) research centre.
The CDCR formally launched at McMaster in 2021. Although the CDCR has been affiliated with HHS for some time—and several scientists hold HHS appointments—it has never been formally recognized as a joint university-hospital research institute. This official designation marks a significant milestone, providing the centre with consistent governance and administrative policies across both institutions.
“I’m deeply grateful for this recognition and the support from McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences,” says Sheila Singh, director of the CDCR since 2021, pediatric neurosurgeon at HHS, and a professor in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University. “By uniting our discovery research strengths at the CDCR with the clinical capabilities of HHS, we can build out a city-wide vision for translational cancer research and drive innovative solutions that improve cancer outcomes for patients in the greater Hamilton region and across the world.”
The CDCR develops programmatic collaboration and synergy between scientists and clinicians across the city of Hamilton through multi-disciplinary working groups that are empirically established around each full member scientist, around cancer subtypes and disease models. The centre builds expertise around hard-to-treat cancers, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, treatment-refractory lung cancer, brain metastases, advanced ovarian cancer, and others.
“By formalizing this partnership, we’re strengthening Hamilton’s position as a hub of enhanced translational research and innovation leading to personalized care for cancer patients,” says Marc Jeschke, vice-president, Research and chief scientific officer at HHS. “This joint governance model will create new opportunities for collaboration, accelerate discovery, and, most importantly, help us improve the lives of cancer patients in our community and beyond.”
The CDCR is home to a diverse team of 11 principal cancer researchers and 18 associate members, each with unique expertise. This team includes surgeon-scientists, immunologists, chemists, virologists, and bioinformaticians, whose collaborative work spans basic to translational research on some of the most hard-to-treat cancers. HHS, recognized as a leader in clinical trials and cancer patient care, offers a direct pathway for translating scientific discoveries into effective patient treatments.
“Modern cancer research depends on linking basic discoveries with clinical applications,” says Jonathan Bramson, vice-dean, Research at McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences. “A joint governance structure unites university and hospital administrators with research directors, ensuring unmet clinical needs drive research and allowing swift translation of findings into patient care.”