Recipients of the 2025 'Ontario Brain Institute - Banting Discovery Award'
June 3, 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 Banting Discovery Foundation award recipients - scientists whose ideas reflect the curiosity, courage, and commitment that define Canadian research.
We offer a special shout-out to Dr. Jennifer Williams and Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky, recipients of the 'Ontario Brain Institute - Banting Discovery Award'.
Jennifer Williams, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto
Dr. Williams studies how hormonal changes, especially during everyday stressors like exercise or diet, affect blood flow to a woman’s brain and heart. As a result, they can design better lifestyles to prevent stroke and Alzheimer’s disease in women.
Dr. Williams is shown in the middle row of the image, second from left.
Jessalyn Holodinsky, Assistant Professor, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary
People who frequently visit the emergency department (ED) often have unmet healthcare needs that are not optimally managed, contributing to strain on the healthcare system. Using data science, Dr. Holodinsky identifies patterns among frequent ED visitors, so that targeted programming can be made to address their needs before the situation worsens to needing an ED visit.
Dr. Holodinsky appears in the bottom-left corner of the image.
Thought this funding, these two scientists received an initial but critical boost to pursue their bold research that can one day transform brain health.
> Read more about this year's Banting Discovery Award cohort