Meredith Irwin

Title:: Paediatrician-in-Chief, Department of Paediatrics
Designations:: MD
Phone:: 416-813-6122
Alternate Contact Name:: Meagan Cameira
Alternate Email:: Meagan.cameira@sickkids.ca
U of T Positions:: Chair, Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Professor, Departments of Paediatrics, Medical Biophysics, and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology

Research Positions

Senior Scientist
Cell Biology

Chair Positions

Chair, Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto

Chair, Neuroblastoma Biology Subcommittee
Children's Oncology Group

Chair, Cancer Progression and Therapeutics Panel
Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Co-Chair
ENACT (Enabling Clinical Translation)

Biography

Dr. Irwin received her Bachelor of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School. She completed residency and fellowship training in paediatrics and Haematology/Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts followed by a research fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. William Kaelin, a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute studying the role of the p53-related genes, p73 and p63, in cancer.  After three years on faculty at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Irwin joined the Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in April 2002 as a Clinician-Scientist.

Research

Dr. Irwin's laboratory research focuses on understanding the molecular determinants of neuroblastoma to identify novel therapies that target signaling pathways using a variety of cellular and animal models. Their translational research program is linked with the SickKids Kids Cancer Sequencing (KiCS) Program and national precision oncology for young people (PROFYLE) programs, with a focus on modeling novel germline and somatic variants. Dr. Irwin’s research has been funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and many neuroblastoma-focused foundations.

In addition to laboratory-based research she is involved in international efforts to develop risk classification systems and clinical trials for newly diagnosed and relapsed neuroblastoma. Locally, Dr. Irwin established the Neuroblastoma Program that is co-led by Dr. Daniel Morgenstern and includes a multidisciplinary team with expertise in the care of neuroblastoma patients. The program cares for local patients as well as provides expert consultations and access to local and international clinical trials and MIBG therapy.

As well as translational neuroblastoma research, Dr. Irwin is involved in the development of clinician-scientist training and education programs including the first residency research stream in Paediatrics in Canada. She also co-leads the SickKids ENACT committee which provides guidance for and access to innovative research testing and return of results.

Role of p53 family genes in cancer and chemotherapy sensitivity
Novel pathways and targeted therapies for neuroblastoma
Molecular and genetic determinants of metastasis in neuroblastoma
Genetic predisposition to Neuroblastoma
Prognostic factors and Risk Stratification for Neuroblastoma
Precision medicine

Education and experience

2014–Present: Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Paediatrics.
Cross Appointments: Departments of Medical Biophysics, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Institute of Medical Science
2020: Chair, Department of Paediatrics

Hospital Appointments

2002–Present: Attending Physician - Division of Haematology/Oncology, Solid Tumor Section, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
2008–Present: Director, Neuroblastoma Program
2008–2020: Associate Chair of Paediatrics (Research), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
2020–Present: Physician-in-Chief, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON

Research Institute Appointments

2011–Present: Senior Scientist, Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute

Dr. Irwin is currently a Senior Scientist in Cell Biology, Professor of Paediatrics (cross-appointed to the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP), Medical Biophysics (MBP)) and the Associate Chair for Paediatrics (Research). She also holds many leadership roles in international committees including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG), and Advances in Neuroblastoma Research (ANR).