Dr. Poul Sorensen is the recipient of the 2024 Doctors of BC Terry Fox Medal, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding individuals who have achieved success in clinical practice, research and/or teaching to advance cancer care. A distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI) and professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Dr. Sorensen was selected based on his remarkable contributions to the field of pediatric cancer research and in translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice.
Dr. Sorensen is an internationally renowned expert on childhood cancers, particularly the biology and genetics of high-risk solid tumours in children and young adults. His laboratory has discovered many novel genetic alterations in childhood cancers and breast tumours, and several of his publications are among the most highly cited sarcoma research articles on PubMed. His team’s findings have advanced our understanding of how certain proteins can transmit signals that may cause cells to become cancerous, and this research has translated into new diagnostic tests for specific tumours.
One particular achievement was his lab’s discovery of a recurrent genetic feature in human tumours called an NTRK fusion, which often plays a key role in the development of certain cancers. This discovery led to Health Canada and FDA approval in 2018, and now worldwide approval, of a first-in-class NTRK fusion inhibitor drug called Larotrectinib (brand name Vitrakvi).
“It is an honour to receive such an esteemed award, joining a distinguished group of scientists and physicians who were previously awarded,” said Dr. Sorensen. “It is deeply gratifying to know that the discoveries I’ve committed my career to uncovering have been recognized by the science and medical communities in British Columbia, and I hope we can continue to build on this work to give young people a better chance at beating cancer.”
Dr. Sorensen was inducted into the Order of British Columbia in 2021, recognizing individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of British Columbia and beyond. He was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the highest honour an academic can achieve in this country, in 2019 for outstanding contributions in life sciences research, as well as the Bloom Burton award for Health Care Innovation in Canada in the same year. These join a long list of prestigious awards that Dr. Sorensen has been honoured with over the course of his career.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Sorensen is a well-regarded mentor who has trained over 65 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from around the world, many of whom have joined his lab specifically to learn how to balance cutting-edge biomedical research and clinical work from a world-renowned clinician-scientist.
As a testament to his leadership, in 2020 Dr. Sorensen was appointed as the inaugural director of the Academy of Translation Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. More recently, he was appointed as an ambassador of the Technical University of Munich in 2023 as a renowned international researcher who can advise young scientists as they begin their international research careers.
The Terry Fox Medal recognizes individuals conducting clinical practice, research, or teaching/education who have achieved national or international recognition based on the following:
• a distinguished career of achievement in their area of focus;
• a seminal advance through the conduct of their endeavors;
• advancement in the conduct of cancer medicine and cancer control.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from my colleagues. The Terry Fox Medal reminds me of just how incredible a young man Terry Fox was, what a hero he still is around the world, and how the legacy he left behind continues to push us as clinicians and scientists to keep the research rolling, as he would have wanted. I would be remiss to not also thank the many members of my research group, past and present, as well the incredible cast of scientific colleagues, both at BC Cancer & UBC, that make the work environment so enriching and motivating.” added Dr. Sorensen.
Dr. Sorensen will be presented with the Terry Fox Medal during an awards ceremony at the BC Cancer Summit on November 22 in Vancouver.