2019 INDUCTEE Connie J. Eaves, PhD Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Women in Medicine, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Cancer
May 22, 1944
(Ottawa, Ontario)
March 7, 2024
PhD, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (1969)
2023: YWCA Women of Distinction Award
2022: Till and McCulloch Lifetime Achievement Award (Stem Cell Network)
See All AwardsAwards & Honours:
2023: YWCA Women of Distinction Award
2022: Till and McCulloch Lifetime Achievement Award (Stem Cell Network)
2021: Officer of the Order of Canada
2021: Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Outstanding Achievements in Cancer Research Award
2021: Fellow of the Royal Society
2019: Canada Gairdner Wightman Award
2018: Life Sciences BC Dr. Don Rix Lifetime Achievement Award
2016: Dr. Chew Wei FRCOG Memorial Prize in Cancer Research
2015: Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
2003: Robert L. Nobel Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research
1994: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Made breakthrough contributions to the characterization of chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells
Major influence in the field of stem cell research
Dr. Eaves’ work, spanning four decades, provided meaningful insights into the biology of leukemia and breast cancer. Her discoveries advanced curative therapies for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and identified “quiescent” CML stem cells, the first recognition of this cellular state as a hallmark of many types of chemo-resistant cancer stem cells. Dr. Eaves also pioneered robust methods for quantifying primitive hematopoietic and mammary cells from both mice and humans that have become “gold standards” and the basis of standardized reagents with significant commercial applications. These discoveries have had profound and internationally recognized impact on bone marrow transplantation treatments for both leukemia and breast cancer.
Key Facts
Was President of the National Cancer Institute of Canada
Published more than 500 papers and mentored more than 100 post-graduate trainees
Was the recipient of numerous national and international awards and honours
Served as the first Co-Chair of the Breast Cancer Research Alliance in Canada
Was the holder of 5 patents
Professional timeline
Impact on lives today
Through the work of Dr. Eaves, we see increasing progress in understanding and treating diseases once considered irremediable. Maintaining and advancing this work involves the life-time dedication of many thousands of scientists accumulating incremental discoveries over generations, which are finally translated into therapies and cures. If leukemia and breast cancer are finally overcome, it will be due to the determined and sustained efforts of devoted basic researchers like Dr. Eaves. Her seminal contributions to understanding the fundamental biology of stem cells systems has brought us closer to that goal.
2024
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Connie Eaves inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Montreal, Québec
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Began her term as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Experimental Hematology.
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Became the President of the International Society of Experimental Hematology.
Leadership in Organizational Development -
Connie Eaves became the first researcher in Vancouver to commence investigations of human embryonic stem cells (ES) and human induced pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS)
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Women in Medicine -
Dr. Eaves co-founded the Terry Fox Laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational DevelopmentShe served as deputy director for 20 years before serving 3 years as director in 2007.
1981
An outstanding mentor, outstanding leader and outstanding scientist.
Additional Resources:
- Obituary: Connie J. Eaves (1944–2024)
- A beautiful tribute by her son David Eaves
- History of the Battle Against Leukemia
- Remembering Dr. Connie Eaves, a pioneer in leukemia and breast cancer research
- A Brief History of Breast Cancer
- Leukaemia – a brief historical review from ancient times to 1950
- Husband-wife research team inducted into BC Innovators Hall of Fame
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