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05/02: BC Cancer Agency scientist named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 ™
Dr. Steven Jones’ work in bioinformatics – making sense of and managing vast amounts of genetic information using advanced computers and statistical techniques – has earned him a place Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™, being published today in the Globe and Mail.
Dr Jones, age 37, is Head of Bioinformatics and Associate Director at the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre. Bringing bioinformatics into the study of genomics is essential to using the colossal amount of information that is generated, and leads to better understanding molecular expression in tumours for more personalized, targeted therapies. They are also involved in development of software to support high-throughput DNA sequencing activities.
Internationally, he has played a role in numerous genome projects, including that of human, Drosophila melanogaster (a fruit fly), mouse, rat, bovine, C. elegans (nematode worm) and the SARS coronavirus.
Dr. Steven has participated in the Mammalian Gene Collection consortium, funded by the National Cancer Institute, USA, developing underlying bioinformatic approaches for the generation of full-length gene sequences.
“We are truly fortunate to have Steven Jones here in Canada,” say Dr Victor Ling, Vice-President of Discovery, at the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “He is recognized by his peers internationally as one of the world’s top Bioinformaticians. Together with Dr Marco Marra, who was named to this prestigious list in 2000, he has helped to build the Genome Sciences Centre at the BC Cancer Agency as a leader in cancer genomics.”
Dr. Steven Jones joined the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre in the spring of 1999. He came to the GSC from the Sanger Centre in Cambridge, England, the world’s largest centre focused on DNA sequencing. Dr. Jones holds a BSc from Bristol University in England and an MSc from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He completed his PhD at The Sanger Centre.
Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 ™ is a prestigious national award program, which annually honours 40 Canadians in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors under the age of 40.
The program is managed by founding sponsor, The Caldwell Partners and is now in its 11th year. Other sponsors include The Globe and Mail, Certified General Accountants of Canada, Air Canada and Privilege Magazine.
Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 ™ were selected from over 1200 nominees by an independent Advisory Board, comprised of 29 business leaders from across Canada. Honourees were chosen on five key criteria including: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; community involvement and contribution; and strategy for growth.
The BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre was established in 1997 through donations to the BC Cancer Foundation’s Millenium Campaign. The BC Cancer Foundation, through its donors, continues to provide support to the work of Dr. Steven Jones and his colleagues at the BC Cancer Agency's Genome Sciences Centre
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Adams
Public Relations
BC Cancer Agency
604.877.6272
nadams@bccancer.bc.ca
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