Dr. Ronald Worton is a pioneering medical geneticist and the founding CEO of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). Under his leadership, OHRI emerged as one of Canada’s premier research institutes, firmly embedding research excellence within clinical care.
A trailblazer in disease gene discovery, Dr. Worton and his team discovered the cause of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. This landmark breakthrough in medical genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto resulted in greater understanding of the disease and revolutionized diagnosis and patient care. Dr. Worton also provided leadership to Canada’s Stem Cell Network and, at the international level, the Human Genome Organization.
Dr. Worton spent his career advancing science while nurturing the next generation of researchers. As he recently noted, “One of the best rewards from a career in science is being able to recruit young scientists and watch them grow into internationally recognized stars.”
Dr. Worton retired in 2007 after an exemplary career. He was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 2012 and inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2014.
His legacy continues through the annual Ronald G. Worton Award, established in his honour to recognize outstanding researchers-in-training.
