Dr. David C. W. Lau Lectureship

Dr. Drucker is University Professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre-Novo Nordisk Chair in Incretin Biology, and a Senior Investigator at Sinai Health’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.  

Dr. Drucker is renowned for his breakthrough discoveries of the biological actions of glucagon-like peptide hormone GLP-1, including its key roles in stimulating insulin secretion and reducing food intake. His research has helped to lay the biological foundations for the pharmacological revolution of GLP-1 based medicines that have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. His discovery of the role of GLP-2 in intestinal barrier function has also led to a first-in-class, life-changing treatment for patients with short-bowel syndrome.

Congratulations to Dr. Johane P. Allard on being the first recipient of the David C. W. Lau Lectureship!  The Award is given in recognition of merit in (i) teaching and providing inspiration to students and colleagues; (ii) providing leadership through scientific publications and participation in professional associations, which result in significant progress in the field of nutrition; and (iii) supporting the long-term development of outstanding nutrition or nutrition-oriented programs.  

Dr. Johane P. Allard, MD, FRCPC,  is staff Gastroenterologist at the University Health Network and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is also crossed-appointed to the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences and School of Graduate Studies and Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute. Her research focus on nutrition and gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity and bariatric surgery.  She is leading a research program on intestinal microbiome related to MASLD/Metabolic Syndrome and bariatric patients, funded by CIHR, ACG and CLF. She has over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Allard was the Department Director of Gastroenterology (2006-2018) at the University of Toronto, the Chair of the Royal College of Physician and Surgeon Examining Board in Gastroenterology (2008-2012), the Division Head at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (2009-2014) and a co-founder of the Canadian Society for Clinical Nutrition (CSCN) now called the Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS).

Dr. Lau is an endocrinologist and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. He is Editor-in-Chief emeritus of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, founder of Obesity Canada and Past-President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS). Dr. Lau was co-chair of the evidence-based 2020 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the management of obesity in adults. He served as an Expert Panel member of the 2018 evidence-based Diabetes Canada CPG, as well as a primary panel expert committee member of the 2021 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults.