Contributions to Viral Hepatitis, Vaccine Task Force and COVID-19
Dr. Lorne Tyrrell
OC, AOE, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRSC, FCAHS
Distinguished Professor at the University of Alberta
Recipient of the 2021 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Lecture 2-3pm
Reception 3-4pm
In person at the
Jack Poole Hall, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
6163 University Boulevard
RSVP required - please register below
Venue parking and accessibility information
Dr. David Lorne J. Tyrrell is a visionary clinician-scientist, creative virologist, entrepreneur and academic leader. His most celebrated life-saving accomplishment, in collaboration with Morris Robbins, was the licensing of the first oral anti-viral drug for chronic hepatitis B (Lamivudine) in 200 countries. This led to the establishment of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology in 2010 at the University of Alberta, where Dr. Tyrrell is its Founder and Director.
The Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, established in 2005 by the Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR), recognizes exceptional innovation by a visionary health leader of international stature.
Biosketch
Dr. Tyrrell led the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry from 1994-2004 as Dean. In this capacity, Health Sciences at U Alberta flourished with major capital developments, including the Katz Group – Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research and the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation. During this period, Dr. Tyrrell assumed national responsibilities and chaired the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges , through which he facilitated the transition of the Medical Research Council to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. Tyrrell’s leadership style, his prescience and sound judgement led to a number of important Board chairmanships, including the Institute of Health Economics (IHE), the Gairdner Foundation Board and memberships in the Science Advisory Board of Health Canada and the National Vaccine Task Force.
Dr. Tyrrell’s most celebrated life saving accomplishment in collaboration with Morris Robbins was the licensing of the first oral anti-viral drug for chronic HBV (Lamivudine) in 200 countries. This led to the establishment of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology in 2010 at the University of Alberta, where Dr. Tyrrell is its Founder and Director.
Dr. Tyrrell has received numerous awards including the Prix Galien Canada Research Award (1998), the Gold Medal of the Canadian Liver Foundation (2000), Alberta Order of Excellence (2000), Officer of the Order of Canada (2002), the Frederic Newton Gisborne Starr Award of the Canadian Medical Association (2004), and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2004). Dr. Tyrrell was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (2011) and he was awarded the Killam Prize for Health Science (2015). In 2018, he received the FCIHR Award of Honour.
Dr. Tyrrell maintains active research programs in viral-host interactions, development of a HCV vaccine and an active program on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, diagnostics, and antivirals. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers. In his spare time, he tends to his 1000 acre farm.
The Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, established in 2005 by the Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR), recognizes exceptional innovation by a visionary health leader of international stature. The $35,000 Friesen Prize is awarded annually. For further information on Friends of CIHR and the Friesen International Prize, please visit: www.fcihr.ca or contact: Cristina S. Castellvi. Tel. #: (416) 506-1597. Email: fcihr@fcihr.ca
Recording