2018 INDUCTEE B. Brett Finlay, PhD Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity
April 4, 1959
(Edmonton, Alberta)
PhD, University of Alberta (1986)
2012: Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal
2007: Order of British Columbia
See All AwardsAwards & Honours:
2012: Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal
2007: Order of British Columbia
2006: Officer of the Order of Canada
2005: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Sciences
2001: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Advancing our fundamental knowledge of life processes
Moving from microbe hunters to microbe managers
In 1676, the great Dutch naturalist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek first observed bacteria in a drop of water. Almost two centuries later Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch recognized bacteria as a cause of disease, leading to development of germ theory, and applied by Joseph Lister in antiseptic surgery. These and other great discoveries establish microbiology as one of the triumphs of human knowledge. Now, Dr. Brett Finlay, Peter Wall Distinguished Professor at the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia, has offered profound research into the mechanisms of microbes at the molecular level, which has revealed their positive contributions to human wellness in addition to their role in infectious disease.
Key Facts
Played a leading role in moving EPEC (E. coli) from a poorly understood pathogen to its current status as a model pathogen for understanding diarrheal diseases
Developed several vaccines including one against enteropathogenic E. coli
Explored new approaches to enhance the innate immune response to treat infections
Addressed contamination issues through the creation of new detection methods for diarrheal pathogens
Cited more than 75,000 times
Professional timeline
Impact on lives today
His research in the field of cellular microbiology has led to human and animal vaccines, treatments for drug-resistant infections, and fundamental changes in our ideas of childhood health. Through his research, scientists now seek to unlock the potential of microbes as instruments of healing.
2023
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Brett Finlay inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
London, Ontario
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Let Them Eat Dirt!
Along with Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta, Dr. Finlay published Let Them Eat Dirt a book about the possible dangers of excessive sanitation in childhood environments. It has since become an international bestseller.
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Dr. Finlay was appointed as the founding director of the SARS Accelerated Vaccine Initiative (SAVI).
Infectious Disease, Allergy & ImmunityIt has since served as an international model for rapid response research.
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Dr. Finlay co-founded Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company to facilitate shifting lab work into accessible products
Cells, Genetics & Genomics -
The National Food and Water Safety Coalition was founded
Infectious Disease, Allergy & ImmunityThis is a multidisciplinary research program for microbial food safety organization and under Dr. Finlay’s leadership, led to the development of the Canadian Coalition for Safe Food and Water.
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Dr. Finlay and his team published a seminal paper that showed Salmonella resides inside host cells during infections
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The Finlay Group showed how enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) injects its own receptor into host cells
Cells, Genetics & GenomicsAnother seminal discovery unprecedented in concept
1997
He sees the success of his people as part of his own success
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