Scientific community mourns the passing of Dr. Tony Pawson

Toronto, ON – The scientific community has joined Mount Sinai in expressing its profound sadness at the passing of Dr. Tony Pawson, a giant in the world of medical research and a beloved colleague and friend to so many. Dr. Pawson died on August 7.

Dr. Pawson was one of this country’s most respected and accomplished scientists, a truly brilliant researcher and leader at Mount Sinai’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. His research revolutionized our understanding of the way our cells communicate and impacted the treatment of a range of diseases. In the many years he dedicated his studies into deciphering the basic machinery of cellular organization, he became one of the world’s top 25 cited scientists in his field.

“As we mourn this loss, we know that the memory of Tony’s extraordinary contributions will serve as an inspiration as we continue to pursue his lifelong work of discovery and making our world a better and healthier place,” said Dr. Jim Woodgett, director of research for Mount Sinai’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.

Dr. Pawson authored well over 400 scholarly publications and was the recipient of many international awards for his research achievements, including the Kyoto Prize in 2008. He was the first Canadian scientist to hold this title. He also held the position of University Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Toronto.

“All of us here at Mount Sinai felt privileged to work with Tony.  The international response from scientific leaders expressing their condolences is a testament to his profound legacy, which continues to impact patient care,” said Joseph Mapa, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Hospital.