New researcher to supercharge UCalgary's fight against genitourinary cancer

Calgary, AB – The yet-to-be recruited oncology researcher may not even play golf, but the investigator about to take on a new position at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) will no doubt appreciate the game.

It’s through the Prostate Cancer Centre and their key donor, Remington Development, that $2 million has been committed to recruit a rising star to UCalgary to take urinary and reproductive cancer science to the next level – and much of that fundraising has been through the putts and drives of Calgary’s long-standing Remington Golf Classic charity tournament.

“This is an example of a charitable foundation working with the Cumming School of Medicine to identify areas of really high potential, where there’s a clinical need that aligns with our research strengths.”
 
Dr. Jennifer Chan, MD, director of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine

“It is so important to recognize that generous gifts like this help bring the best to Calgary and accelerates research to unlock new understandings and more effective diagnostics and treatments," says Chan.

"Knowing they will start a new job with the support of the philanthropic community is a great incentive to bring the best people here.”

The generosity of the Prostate Cancer Centre will help the new assistant professor set up their research program dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with genitourinary cancers.

Research underway at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre is a testament to Calgary’s strong, and supportive philanthropic community.  As a member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, the researcher will help establish UCalgary as a national leader in GU cancer prevention and treatment research.

“At the Prostate Cancer Centre, we know that advancing research is key to changing outcomes for patients and families.”
 
Jeff Davison, CEO, Prostate Cancer Centre.

“This partnership and investment in a new urological research position at the University of Calgary will allow us to attract top scientific talent, accelerate discoveries, and help guide the treatments of tomorrow," says Davison.

"Together, we are not only strengthening the future of urological cancer research, but also giving hope to the people whose lives may one day be saved because of it.” 

Genitourinary cancers — including those of the prostate, bladder, kidneys and genitalia — are among the most common types of cancer in men, while kidney cancer is a growing concern for both men and women. Such cancers remain some of the most complex to diagnose and treat, and the outlook worsens dramatically when disease isn’t caught early.

Early detection in the community, through projects like the Prostate Cancer Centre’s MAN VAN, has been the focus of much of the Remington Golf Classic, which has raised nearly $6 million since it started 18 years ago.

The shift to hospital-based research and cancers impacting all genders will accelerate research in areas like biomarker discovery, imaging innovation and AI-guided clinical tools, leading to improvements in diagnostics and treatment for genitourinary cancers.

The new researcher is expected to start in 2026.

Media inquiries

Michael Platt
Media Relations
403.830.2452
michael.platt@ucalgary.ca

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university in this country’s most enterprising city. A leader in startup creation and research innovation – with groundbreaking discoveries in child health, quantum computing and water sustainability – we’re transforming bold ideas into real-world impact. Curious and determined, our 38,000 students are using hands-on learning to forge bright futures for all. Ready to take the leap? Start something at UCalgary.

For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. Stay up to date with UCalgary news headlines on X @UCalgary. For access to UCalgary news releases, images and b-roll, and details on faculties and how to reach experts, check out our newsroom at ucalgary.ca/newsroom.