Alan Bernstein

Alan Bernstein CC OOnt FRSC (born June 25, 1947) is

Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and Alan Bernstein
President Emeritus of the Canadian Institute for Born June 25, 1947[1]
Advanced Research (CIFAR), where he served as Alma mater University of Toronto
President and CEO from 2012 to 2022. A Known for Health research
Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Science policy
Affairs and Public Policy, he is also a Fellow and Mentorship
Member of the Standing Committee for Science Leadership
Planning at the International Science Council (2022-
Awards FRSC (1991)
2025). Canadian Bernstein is recognized as a leader in
The McLaughlin Medal, The
health research, science policy, mentorship and
Royal Society of Canada (1996)
organizational leadership.
The Genetics Society of Canada
Award of Excellence (1998)
Officer, Order of Canada (2002)
Education Gairdner Wightman Award 2008)
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Born in Toronto, Bernstein attended Oakwood
(2015)
Collegiate Institute,[2] and then received his BSc.
Order of Ontario (2017)
(Honours) and the James Loudon Gold Medal in
Companion, Order of Canada
Mathematics and Physics from the University of
(2023)
Toronto in 1968.[3] He pursued biomedical research
Scientific career
and obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in
1972 under the supervision of James Till with a thesis Institutions University of Oxford
focusing on a genetic analysis of membrane mutants Canadian Institute for Advanced
Escherichia coli.[4] Research
Canadian Institutes of Health
Research
Career Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise
Imperial Cancer Research Fund
Following his PhD, Bernstein undertook postdoctoral Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
research with Dr G Steven Martin in London at the Ontario Cancer Institute
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, where he began Thesis A Genetic Analysis of the
working on retroviruses and their oncogenes.[5] TOL(A,B) Locus of Escherichia
Coli K-12 (https://www.proquest.
Bernstein returned to Canada in 1974 to join the com/docview/30268785
faculty of the Ontario Cancer Institute. In 1985, he 5/) (1972)
joined the new Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at
Doctoral James Till
Mount Sinai Hospital as Head of the Division of
advisor
Molecular and Developmental Biology, and then
served as its director of research from 1994 to 2000.[6]
In 2000, Bernstein became the inaugural president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),
where he oversaw the transformation of health research in Canada and championed women, early career
scientists, and the importance of interdisciplinary team research.[7]

In 2007, he became the first executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an alliance of
independent organizations around the world dedicated to accelerating the development of a preventive
HIV vaccine.[5] As executive director, Bernstein oversaw the enterprise and led the development of the
2010 Scientific Strategic Plan for HIV vaccine development.[8]

In 2012, Bernstein joined CIFAR as president and CEO, where he was responsible for developing and
leading the Institute's overall strategic direction. Under his presidency, the organization launched two
Global Calls for Ideas[9] and the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program for early career investigators, as
well as expanding the delivery of knowledge mobilization and public engagement activities,[10] and
moving in to offices in the MaRS Discovery District.[11] It was during his leadership that the Government
of Canada asked CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy.[12] Upon
his departure from CIFAR, a $1 million scholarship fund was created by donors in his name for select
CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars who become CIFAR Fellows.[13]

In 2023, Bernstein was appointed Professor and Director of Global Health at the University of Oxford
where he oversees a new interdisciplinary, cross-University initiative in all aspects of global health.

Bernstein continues to be an active member of many advisory and review boards in Canada, the U.S.,
U.K., Italy, and Australia, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,[14] the McGill University
Health Centre[15] and the Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary. He also served as co-chair of the
Scientific Advisory Committee for Stand Up to Cancer Canada with Phillip A. Sharp.

Bernstein is a vocal advocate for interdisciplinary research, early-career investigators, and intellectual
freedom.[16][17] In his public remarks, he often emphasizes the importance of early-career researchers and
diversity in science.[18][19]

Research
Bernstein's research interests have centered on blood cell formation (hematopoiesis), cancer and
embryonic development. He has authored more than 225 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Awards
For his contributions to science in Canada, and internationally, Bernstein has received numerous awards,
including:

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, 1991[20]

Royal Society of Canada McLaughlin Medal, 1996[21]
National Cancer Institute of Canada Robert L. Noble Prize, 1997
Genetics Society of Canada Award of Excellence, 1998[22]
Australian Society of Medical Research Medal, 2001[23]
 Officer of the Order of Canada, 2002.[24]
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, 2002[25]
Medaille du merite from the Institut de Recherche Clinique de Montréal, 2007[26]
Gairdner Wightman Award, 2008[27]
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012[28]
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, 2015
Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, 2017[29]
Order of Ontario, 2017[30]
Honoree at Public Policy Forum Testimonial Dinner and Awards, 2019[31]
Companion of the Order of Canada, 2023
He is also the recipient of honorary degrees from Dalhousie University (2007),[32] the University of
British Columbia (2009),[33] the University of Ottawa (2009),[34] McGill University (2010),[35] Queen's
University (2013),[36] the University of Sherbrooke (2014),[37] the University of Toronto (2019),[38] and
Western University (2019).[39]

References
1. "Alan Bernstein" (https://canadianwhoswho.ca/search_results.php?keywords=Alan+Bernstei
n&onlyByName=1). Canadian Who's Who. Grey House Publishing Canada. Retrieved
7 October 2019.
2. Gasner, Cynthia (May 15, 2008). "Oakwood CI marks 100 years" (http://www.cjnews.com/no
de/81083). Canadian Jewish News.
3. Kalvapalle, Rahul (June 10, 2019). "Pioneering health researcher Alan Bernstein receives U
of T honorary degree" (https://www.utoronto.ca/news/pioneering-health-researcher-alan-ber
nstein-receives-u-t-honorary-degree). University of Toronto. U of T News. Retrieved
3 October 2019.
4. Bernstein, Alan (1972). A Genetic Analysis of the TOL(A,B) Locus of Escherichia Coli K-12
(PhD thesis). University of Toronto. ProQuest 302687855 (https://www.proquest.com/docvie
w/302687855).
5. Virginia, Gewin (November 8, 2007). "Physics student turned biomedical scientist becomes
executive director of Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise" (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnj7167-316
a). Nature. 450 (7167): 316. doi:10.1038/nj7167-316a (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnj7167-31
6a).
6. "Alan Bernstein, OC, PhD - Canada Gairdner Wightman Award 2008" (https://gairdner.org/a
ward_winners/alan-bernstein/). Gairdner. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
7. Bernstein, Alan (October 12, 2017). "It's time for a bold new vision for Canadian
fundamental science" (https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/its-time-for-a-bold-new-vision-for-ca
nadian-fundamental-science/). Rogers Media. Maclean's. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
8. Berkley, Seth (September 2010). "The 2010 scientific strategic plan of the Global HIV
Vaccine Enterprise" (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnm0910-981). Nature Medicine. 16 (9):
981–989. doi:10.1038/nm0910-981 (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnm0910-981).
PMID 20823883 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20823883).
9. "Global Call for Ideas" (https://www.cifar.ca/cifarnews/2019/01/09/global-call-for-ideas).
CIFAR. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
10. Farrow, Jon (17 July 2019). "CIFAR announces public engagement initiatives" (https://www.
cifar.ca/cifarnews/2019/07/17/cifar-announces-public-engagement-initiatives). CIFAR.
Retrieved 4 October 2019.
11. "CIFAR is moving to MaRS!" (https://www.cifar.ca/cifarnews/2017/02/17/cifar-is-moving-to-m
ars!). CIFAR. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
12. "Building an AI World: Report on National and Regional AI Strategies" (https://cifar.ca/cifarne
ws/2018/12/06/building-an-ai-world-report-on-national-and-regional-ai-strategies/). CIFAR.
Retrieved 8 May 2023.
13. "CIFAR researcher Carolina Tropini is appointed Alan Bernstein Fellow" (https://cifar.ca/cifar
news/2023/03/01/cifar-researcher-carolina-tropini-is-appointed-alan-bernstein-fellow/).
CIFAR. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
14. "Who We Are: Scientific Advisory Committee" (https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Ar
e/General-Information/Leadership/Global-Health/Scientific-Advisory-Committee). Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
15. "International Scientific Advisory Board" (https://muhc.ca/). McGill University Health Centre.
Retrieved 17 October 2024.
16. Bernstein, Alan; Rossant, Janet (April 19, 2017). "A clear call to move Canadian research
forward" (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/a-clear-call-to-move-canadian-research-
forward/article34753006/). The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 4 October
2019.
17. "Alan Bernstein: Doubt Everything" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbdmGzEvBYs)
(Video). YouTube.com. November 5, 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
18. "Alan Bernstein, convocation 2019 honorary degree recipient" (https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=5HxdU6qAdEA) (Video). YouTube.com. June 14, 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
19. "Alan Bernstein - Honouree at Testimonial Dinner & Awards 2019" (https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=cZxfA2YDCZw) (Video). YouTube.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved 4 October
2019.
20. "Fellows" (https://rsc-src.ca/en/fellows). Royal Society of Canada. Retrieved 4 October
2019.
21. McLaughlin Medal (http://www.rsc.ca/awards_The_McLaughlin_Medal.php) Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20110305065644/http://www.rsc.ca/awards_The_McLaughlin_Med
al.php) 2011-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
22. "GSC William F Grant and Peter B Moens Award of Excellence" (http://evol.mcmaster.ca/GS
C/awa_ex.html). Genetics Society of Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
23. "Australia honours Bernstein for his work in health research" (http://www.fcihr.ca/Bernstein_
Austr_news.htm). Friends of CIHR. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
24. "Officer of the Order of Canada" (https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-2373). The
Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
25. "Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)" (https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipient
s/125-39168). The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
26. "Médaille du mérite de l'IRCM" (https://ircm.qc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2019-02/med
aillemerite_fr_2019.pdf) (PDF). l’Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM).
Retrieved 4 October 2019.
27. "Alan Bernstein: Canada Gairdner Wightman Award 2008" (https://gairdner.org/award_winn
ers/alan-bernstein/). Gairdner. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
28. "Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)" (https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipie
nts/126-102195). The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
29. "Dr. Alan Bernstein, 2017 Friesen Prize" (http://www.fcihr.ca/prize/prizewinners/dr-alan-bern
stein-2017-friesen-prize). Friends of CIHR. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
30. "The 2017 Appointees to the Order of Ontario" (https://news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2018/01/the-2
017-appointees-to-the-order-of-ontario.html). Province of Ontario, Ministry of Citizenship
and Immigration. January 29, 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
31. "Testimonial Dinner and Awards 2019" (https://ppforum.ca/event/testimonial-dinner-and-awa
rds-2019/). Public Policy Forum. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
32. "2000 - 2009 Honorary Degree Recipients" (https://web.archive.org/web/20190409205331/h
ttps://www.dal.ca/academics/convocation/history_traditions/honorary_degree_recipients/hon
_degree_2000_2009.html). Dalhousie University. Archived from the original (https://www.da
l.ca/academics/convocation/history_traditions/honorary_degree_recipients/hon_degree_200
0_2009.html) on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
33. "2009 Honorary Degree Recipients" (https://graduation.ubc.ca/event/honorary-degrees/2009
-honorary-degree-recipients/alan-bernstein/). The University of British Columbia. Retrieved
4 October 2019.
34. "Alan Bernstein" (https://www.uottawa.ca/president/people/bernstein-alan). University of
Ottawa. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
35. "McGill to recognize outstanding individuals with honorary degrees" (https://www.mcgill.ca/n
ewsroom/channels/news/mcgill-recognize-outstanding-individuals-honorary-degrees-16361
6). McGill University. May 17, 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
36. "Honorary degree recipients straddle science, politics" (https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/cont
ent/honorary-degree-recipients-straddle-science-politics). Queen's University. Queen's
Gazette. May 21, 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
37. Dubois, Caroline (September 18, 2014). "Quatre personnalités reçoivent un doctorat
honorifique" (https://www.usherbrooke.ca/actualites/nouvelles/nouvelles-details/article/2628
8/). L'Université de Sherbrooke. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
38. Farrow, Jon (February 28, 2019). "CIFAR President and CEO Dr. Alan Bernstein to receive
honorary degree from the University of Toronto" (https://www.cifar.ca/cifarnews/2019/02/28/d
r-alan-bernstein-to-receive-honorary-degree-from-the-university-of-toronto). CIFAR.
Retrieved 7 October 2019.
39. "Western to honour global academic, science and financial leaders at 313th Convocation" (h
ttps://mediarelations.uwo.ca/2019/03/26/western-honour-global-academic-science-financial-l
eaders-313th-convocation/). Western University. March 26, 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.

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