Biography of Michael Hayden, MB ChB PhD FRCP(C) FRSC

Michael Hayden is a Killam Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia and Canada Research Chair in Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine. He is also the Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) in Vancouver, Canada.

Dr. Hayden was the top graduate in medicine (1975) from the University of Cape Town, where he also received his PhD in Genetics (1979). He completed a post-doctoral fellowship and further training in Internal Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hayden is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Clinical Genetics.

Dr. Hayden pioneered the development of predictive testing for Huntington disease, and has made major contributions to understanding how changes in specific genes result in HD, premature coronary artery disease and diabetes. He is also co-leader of the GATC project, a BC-led national strategy to prevent adverse drug reactions in childhood.

Author of over 500 peer-reviewed publications and 150 invited submissions, Dr. Hayden is the recipient of numerous prestigious honors and awards. He was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation in 1992, the Board of the American Society of Human Genetics in 1994, the Royal Society of Canada in 1995 and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2005. Among his most recent awards are the 2006 BC Innovation Council Chairman’s Award for Career Achievement, the 2003 Henry Friesen Award of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the 2001 Award of Excellence of the Genetics Society of Canada and the Ottawa Life Sciences Award of Merit, the 2000 BC Biotechnology Alliance Award for Vision and Leadership, and the 1998 Distinguished Scientist Award of the Canadian Society of Clinical Investigation.

Dr. Hayden has co-founded three pharmaceutical companies: Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Neurovir. He currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer for Xenon Pharmaceuticals, and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Dr. Hayden plays a key role in bringing benefit to communities living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. He is coordinating fundraising efforts for a community centre for HIV/AIDS-affected youth in Masiphemelele Township, Cape Town. Dr. Hayden also continues to collaborate with Vancouver’s arts community to promote an active dialogue between scientists and the public. In 1999, he commissioned the musical play, “The Score”, which was recently adapted to the big screen and reviewed as one of the best ten movies at the Vancouver Film Festival in January 2006.