Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Molecular Genetics. We are a large and diverse research community committed to pushing the boundaries of discovery and training the next generation of scientists.

Our faculty, fellows, and students are engaged in ambitious and interdisciplinary research that spans everything from AI-driven genomics to human disease modeling, microbial pathogenesis, and the development of sustainable biotechnologies. With over 100 faculty members and expertise across six broad research areas, the department provides outstanding opportunities for collaboration and training.

Our work happens across five key research sites: the Medical Sciences Building, the Donnelly Centre, the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at SickKids, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, and the MaRS Centre. This proximity to Toronto’s major research institutes enables a highly collaborative environment, with access to world-class facilities and resources.

The department is also home to a thriving training program. Our undergraduate and graduate students go on to careers in academia, teaching, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, scientific writing, patent law, and policy. Research presentations, mentorship opportunities, and student-organized events help build a strong and supportive community, ensuring that our trainees are well-equipped for success.

We remain committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment. We recognize the systemic barriers that exist in science, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, and are actively working to address these disparities. Expanding access to research and education is a priority, and we continue to develop new scholarships, mentorship programs, and outreach initiatives to support this goal.

Finally, we acknowledge that our department operates on the traditional lands of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. This land remains a gathering place for many Indigenous communities, and we are grateful for the opportunity to conduct our research and training here.

Thank you for your support of Molecular Genetics. We look forward to another year of discovery, collaboration, and innovation.

Warmest regards,

Timothy Hughes, Chair, Department of Molecular Genetics

The Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement recognizing the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. For more information about Land Acknowledgements, visit the Indigenous U of T Land Acknowledgement page.