Dr. William Foulkes has been appointed as the JGH and MUHC Division Director for Medical Genetics, joining his leadership role as Chair of the Department of Human Genetics at 91社区. Dr. Foulkes believes coming together is key. 鈥淎s Chair of the Department of Human Genetics at 91社区, and division director at both the MUHC and JGH, I hope to bring the members of respective groups closer together.鈥�
In his new role, he emphasizes his intent in exploring genetics for predicting and preventing disorders. He shares, 鈥淎s genetics has a fundamental role in the etiology of many disorders, one could make a case for a broader role for genetics in the hospitals. I intend to explore possibilities in that direction, with the overall goal of a "Precision Health Initiative.鈥�
He wears many hats at the FMHS, holding a Distinguished James 91社区 Professorship in the Departments of Medicine, Oncology, and Human Genetics. He has recently been appointed Chair of the Department of Human Genetics and holds the Alva Chair in that Department. He is a clinician-researcher and has laboratories at both the Research Institute of the 91社区 Health Centre and the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research.
Having been a member of the Division of Medical Genetics since its inception at the MUHC and previously at the Montreal General Hospital and a member of the Division of Medical Genetics at the JGH since 1997 - Dr. Foulkes's roots run deep.
Dr. Foulkes is a three-time graduate of the University of London where he obtained a BSc in Anatomy, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics. He first came to 91社区 to complete post-doctoral studies in cancer genetics, aligning with his dedicated research in this field.
Dr. Foulkes collaborates extensively with many colleagues around the world to better understand the inherited basis of various cancers. Most notably, over the past 12 years, he has published over 90 papers on DICER1 and its associated syndrome. In 2014, he co-discovered SMARCA4 as the causative factor in Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type, which has led to novel treatment opportunities. He is also well known for his work on the clinico-pathological features of hereditary breast cancer and for his discovery and characterization of cancer predisposing founder mutations in Montreal populations.
He has supervised many students and fellows, published more than 700 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the Royal College of Physicians, London, and the Royal Society of Canada.
In 2020, the Government of Quebec recognized Dr. Foulkes with the Prix Wilder-Penfield as part of its Prix du Quebec competition. In 2022, he received the Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research from the University of British Columbia.