Prof. Lawrence Kazak of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) has been awarded the Jean-Davignon Young Investigator Award of the FRQS . This award, supported by Novo Nordisk and the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, recognizes young Quebec researchers who have distinguished themselves early in their careers.
This accomplishment is a testament to the science carried out by Dr. Kazak and his research team. Dr. Kazak shared 鈥�It鈥檚 an honor to receive this award, not only because of Jean Davignon鈥檚 legacy but looking at the past winners of this award I am honored to be included alongside them since I hold their work in high regard. Furthermore, this award recognizes the work that the trainees do in the lab鈥�.
The 鈥檚 research investigates the control of energy metabolism in mammalian cells, with a particular focus on adipocyte (fat cell) biology. They study key pathways that regulate energy balance in the context of normal physiology and in diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Current research interests at the Kazak lab include cancer cell metabolism and immunity. This award supports these efforts: 鈥�This award recognizes several interconnecting themes within my group that all converge upon a central goal which is to understand, at a fundamental level, how fat cells convert chemical energy into heat,鈥� explains Dr. Kazak.
The GCI community extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Kazak and his team. Bravo!