Long-time Terry Fox-funded researchers, leaders and mentors Drs. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson and John Bell appointed to the Order of Canada

Our heartfelt congratulations to Drs. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson and John Bell, two distinguished researchers with deep and long-time connections to the Terry Fox Research Institute, who have been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. 

Since its creation in 1967, the Order of Canada has recognized more than 7,600 individuals whose service and achievements have shaped the nation. As its motto states: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM – they desire a better country. 

To TFRI they have also been distinguished leaders and mentors throughout their careers, with track-records of collaboration and team science, scientific excellence and innovation as well as a dedication to Terry’s cause.  

“Drs. Mes-Masson and Bell have each played pivotal roles advancing the mission of the Terry Fox Research Institute for nearly two decades,” says Dr. Jim Woodgett, President and Scientific Director of the Terry Fox Research Institute. “Canadians have benefitted greatly from their leadership in cancer research – both in the lab and outside of it. We’re delighted they have been recognized by this wonderful honour.  As world-class researchers, leaders and mentors they are truly exemplary people.”  

Dr. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson 

Dr. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, associate scientific director of basic and translational research at the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her significant discoveries in ovarian and prostate cancer, as well as her leadership in developing biobanks that have transformed cancer research in Canada. 

A long-time leader in translational oncology, Dr. Mes-Masson’s work has helped deepen understanding of the biology of ovarian and prostate cancers, two diseases with significant unmet clinical need. Her research has been instrumental in advancing personalized medicine approaches in oncology, including the development of new therapeutic agents tailored to individual patients and tumour profiles. 
 
Dr. Mes-Masson served for 15 years as lead for TFRI’s Quebec Node (2008-2023) and now co-leads the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network’s Quebec consortium. She previously led and participated in several TFRI-funded projects, including the Canadian Prostate Cancer Biomarker Network (CPCBN), and the Canadian Ovarian Experimental Unified Resource (COEUR) program, a large multi-centred research program (2010-2019) that evolved into a model used by MOHCCN’s pan-Canadian collaborations. 

Dr. John Bell 

Dr. John Bell, a senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa and member of the Centre for Cancer Therapeutics at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, has also been appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to cancer research, biotherapeutics and the health of Canadians. 

For more than three decades, Dr. Bell has been a global leader in cancer biotherapeutics and immunotherapy, pioneering treatments that harness viruses, cells and genes to attack cancer and stimulate the immune system. Dr. Bell is also the scientific director of BioCanRX, Canada’s Centre of Excellence for the development of biotherapeutics and immunotherapy for cancer, and director of the Biotherapeutics Program at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. His leadership has been instrumental in building national capacity in cell-based therapies, including CAR-T cells, and in taking bold, collaborative steps to tackle the most challenging cancers. 

Dr. Bell led the Canadian Oncolytic Virus Consortium (COVCO), a Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant team, which brought together researchers from across Canada to advance virus-based cancer therapies. He is also the chair of the TFRI’s Board of Directors. 

“The Terry Fox Research Institute congratulates Dr. Bell and Dr. Mes-Masson on these well-deserved appointments,” says Dr. Woodgett. “Their visionary leadership and mentorship, scientific excellence, and commitment to improving outcomes for cancer patients exemplify the values of the Order of Canada and bring us one step closer to finishing the marathon against cancer that Terry Fox started in 1980.”