Dr. Aubrey Tingle, a world-recognized researcher in pediatric immunology and viral infections at BC Children’s Hospital, has transformed health research in BC over the last 20 years.

His most notable accomplishment is his critical role in creation of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research which he led as its inaugural CEO for most of its first decade. The foundation built health research capacity in BC so that researchers could attract their share of federal and other external funds while making discoveries that have improved the health of British Columbians.

Dr. Aubrey Tingle also founded, led and grew the BC Research Institute for Children’s and Women’s Health to become the biggest and most successful pediatric health research institute in Western Canada. Now called the Child and Family Research Institute, world-leading research into pediatric diseases continues there today. CFRI has more than 200 investigators attracting more than $40 million annually in external grant funding. Teams working there are making discoveries that are changing the lives of children suffering from cancer, diabetes, mental illness, genetic diseases and infection.

Dr. Tingle’s success in creating a better health research environment has meant more of our best and brightest have stayed or been lured to BC – a brain gain in health research. By keeping the best researchers we also keep the best clinicians who see patients in the hospital and do research at the laboratory bench.