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The 2026 Taylor Prize Evening Celebration
Save the date: November 19, 2026
The 2026 Taylor Prize Evening Celebration
Save the date: November 19, 2026
The 2026 Taylor Prize Evening Celebration
Save the date: November 19, 2026
WHAT
The 2026 Taylor Prize Evening Celebration
WHEN
Thursday, November 19, 2026,
from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE
Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation,
Western University.
The 2026 Taylor Prize Evening Celebration
The new age of the genome: From code to cure
The 2026 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine honours pioneering advancements in gene therapy and gene editing, recognizing researchers who have redefined medicine by addressing disease at its genetic roots.
The theme encompasses gene addition and replacement, CRISPR and related editing tools, RNA-based strategies, delivery technologies and breakthroughs that enhance safety and long-term impact.
Meet the 2026 Laureate
Dr. Marina Cavazzana
Dr. Marina Cavazzana is a paediatrician and Professor of Hematology at Institute Imagine in Paris, France.
Dr. Cavazzana's groundbreaking work in gene therapy includes leading the first team to successfully use genetically corrected hematopoietic stem cells to treat infants with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1) and becoming the first physician in the world to successfully treat sickle cell disease using gene therapy.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cavazzana has embodied the principle that biomedical progress must align with unwavering ethical standards. Her integrity, empathy and communication skills exemplify the standard of excellence the Taylor Prize was created to celebrate.
Lightning Talks
This celebrated event features dynamic talks from some of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s leading alumni and researchers in the field of gene therapy and gene editing.
Dr. Derlva Connaughton
Dr. Dervla Connaughton is the Eugen Drewlo Chair in Kidney Research and Innovation at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Connaughton is internationally recognized for her leadership in integrating genomics into kidney care. She leads one of the first clinical trials in kidney genetics entitled, “Genomics-First to transform healthcare in chronic kidney disease: The 40 in 1 Study,” which is funded through the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
David Edgell, PhD, and Brent Stead, PhD.
David Edgell, PhD, is a professor in Biochemistry at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, whose work explores the boundaries of CRISPR Cas-9 gene editing technology.
Brent Stead, PhD'11, holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School and is the co-founder of Specific Biologics, a biotechnology company developing industry-leading in vivo genome editing medicines to treat the untreatable.
Dr. Craig Campbell
Dr. Craig Campbell is the Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Campbell is a Scientist at the Children’s Health Research Institute in London, and a renowned researcher and clinician in neuromuscular disease in children and rare disease registry development.
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Before you order
- Each order can include up to 8 tickets.
- To buy more than 8 tickets, contact events-schulich@groups.uwo.ca.
- Paying by Western speed code? Use the speed code order form instead of the buttons on this page.
Event details
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Western University
Campus parking is available at Springett Lot on Western Road, directly across from the venue.
About the Taylor Prize
The J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine is one of Canada’s most prestigious medical research awards, with a distinguished roster of laureates that includes Gairdner and Nobel Prize recipients. Presented annually since 1985 by Western University’s Robarts Research Institute, the $50,000 prize recognizes outstanding achievements in basic or clinical research. It is supported by the C. H. Stiller Memorial Foundation and the late J. Allyn Taylor's family.