Physician and researcher Dr. Martin Schecter has made renowned contributions to the fields of AIDS research, prevention and care.

When Martin Schechter first began his work on AIDS research in 1983, there were no reported cases yet in B.C. He embraced the necessity of an appropriate and humane response to HIV infection at a time when it was not popular to do so.

In 1989, he helped organize the Fifth International Conference on AIDS which attracted 12,000 delegates from around the world. In 1990, Dr. Schecter was one of only 10 people worldwide invited by the World Health Organization Global Program in AIDS to sit on its Steering Committee on Epidemiology, Forecasting and Surveillance.

Martin Schecter co-founded the Canadian HIV Trials Network, which undertakes clinical trials of promising new therapies, and now has five regional offices and 25 satellites across Canada.

He is the author of more than 100 articles in scientific journals and has attracted more than $19 million in research grants to B.C. He is one of only two Canadians awarded the National Health Scientist Award in AIDS by Health and Welfare Canada.

Martin Schecter continues to be instrumental in pioneering landmark achievements in AIDS research which have benefitted not only British Columbians but people around the world.