A pioneer in biomedical research
Together with his colleague, Dr. James Till, Dr. Ernest McCulloch created the first quantitative, clonal method to identify stem cells and used this technique for pioneering studies on stem cells. In addition to providing detailed information about blood cell development, they established the concept of stem cells and set the framework in which stem cells are studied today.
Beyond his research career, McCulloch worked tirelessly on numerous provincial, national and international advisory committees and provided leadership for the research division at the Ontario Cancer Institute, the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto and as President of the National Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. McCulloch and Dr. James Till were jointly nominated and inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.