Born:

May 22, 1944

(Ottawa, Ontario)

Died:

March 7, 2024

Education:

PhD, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (1969)

Awards & Honours:

2023: YWCA Women of Distinction Award

2022: Till and McCulloch Lifetime Achievement Award (Stem Cell Network)

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Picture of Connie Eaves

Made breakthrough contributions to the characterization of chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells

Dr. Connie J. Eaves

Major influence in the field of stem cell research

Dr. Eaves’ work, spanning four decades, provided meaningful insights into the biology of leukemia and breast cancer. Her discoveries advanced curative therapies for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and identified “quiescent” CML stem cells, the first recognition of this cellular state as a hallmark of many types of chemo-resistant cancer stem cells. Dr. Eaves also pioneered robust methods for quantifying primitive hematopoietic and mammary cells from both mice and humans that have become “gold standards” and the basis of standardized reagents with significant commercial applications. These discoveries have had profound and internationally recognized impact on bone marrow transplantation treatments for both leukemia and breast cancer.

Key Facts

Was President of the National Cancer Institute of Canada

Published more than 500 papers and mentored more than 100 post-graduate trainees

Was the recipient of numerous national and international awards and honours

Served as the first Co-Chair of the Breast Cancer Research Alliance in Canada

Was the holder of 5 patents

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Through the work of Dr. Eaves, we see increasing progress in understanding and treating diseases once considered irremediable. Maintaining and advancing this work involves the life-time dedication of many thousands of scientists accumulating incremental discoveries over generations, which are finally translated into therapies and cures. If leukemia and breast cancer are finally overcome, it will be due to the determined and sustained efforts of devoted basic researchers like Dr. Eaves. Her seminal contributions to understanding the fundamental biology of stem cells systems has brought us closer to that goal.

Dr. Connie Eaves

2024

1981

An outstanding mentor, outstanding leader and outstanding scientist.