Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden, recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service to Cancer Research Award from The Canadian Cancer Research AllianceThe Canadian Cancer Research Alliance has awarded Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden the Distinguished Service to Cancer Research Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates her decades-long commitment to public engagement and science outreach as a leading ovarian cancer researcher and passionate advocate of science literacy.

Dr. Vanderhyden has developed and championed inclusive science education programs that reach learners at every age — from elementary school students to university scholars. Her initiatives, including founding Ottawa’s Let’s Talk Science branch, have inspired countless young Canadians to explore careers in science and medicine, helping to build a more informed and engaged future generation of science advocates and health-care providers.

As a senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and professor and Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Vanderhyden has worked tirelessly to ensure that scientific advancements are accessible to patients, families and communities. Her outreach efforts to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, making complex discoveries understandable and relevant to those affected by cancer.

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.