The J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine was established in 1985 through the generosity and shared vision of J. Allyn Taylor and Dr. Calvin (Cal) Stiller to recognize exceptional achievement in biomedical science.

Awarded annually by Robarts Research Institute at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, the prize honours scientists whose discoveries have significantly advanced basic or clinical research. Over the decades, it has recognized some of the world’s leading researchers across disciplines in biology, medicine and imaging.

The prize reflects the deep commitment of both men to advancing medical research in Canada. J. Allyn Taylor, a distinguished Canadian business leader often known as “Mr. London,” served as the founding Chair of the Board of Robarts Research Institute and Chancellor of Western University. A respected civic leader and philanthropist, he believed passionately in the importance of scientific discovery and its impact on human health.

Dr. Stiller is one of Canada’s most influential physician-scientists and a pioneer in transplantation immunology. A co-founder of Robarts Research Institute and a driving force behind London’s world-class medical research community, Stiller helped establish the Taylor Prize through the generosity of his C. H. Stiller Memorial Foundation, ensuring the award would recognize groundbreaking discoveries and inspire future generations of scientists.

Each year, a peer jury selects a laureate whose discoveries have transformed a selected field of biomedical science. Since its founding, the prize has honoured scientists whose work has reshaped modern medicine, with several recipients later receiving the Canada Gairdner Award or the Nobel Prize. Today, the prize continues to be supported by the Stiller Foundation and the family of the late J. Allyn Taylor, including his daughters Lynn Graham and Ann Fleming and their families. Presented annually at the Taylor Prize Dinner, the award celebrates both scientific excellence and the enduring legacy of leadership, philanthropy and discovery that defines Robarts Research Institute and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

In alignment with the Taylor Prize founders’ vision of celebrating scientific discovery and innovation and elevating the School’s research on a national and global scale, The Catalysts podcast was developed in 2024 in association with the Taylor Prize. 

Through fascinating and accessible conversations with leading Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry researchers and the Taylor Prize laureate, the podcast showcases the vital role medical research plays in improving the lives of people around the world.