John Herbert Dirks

President and Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation, Toronto, ON. The Gairdner Foundation awards the Canada Gairdner Awards for biomedical research (Canada Gairdner International Award, Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, Canada Gairdner Global Health Awards) Gairdner holds major science outreach programs to 22 universities across Canada. Strong advocate for the growth of science in Canada and international profile of Canadian science worldwide; Professor of Medicine Emeritus, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Distinguished in academic nephrology, medical research and administration, international health as well as humanitarian efforts to improve public health worldwide. Research in renal pathophysiology. Published 158 peer-reviewed papers. Held major academic administrative positions including Dean of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Dean-Rector of the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. Leader in raising international awareness of kidney disease.