The Department of Pathology would like to extend it's warmest gratitude to all of the presenters, attendees, and faculty organizers who attended and contributed to the success of this year's annual Finlayson Research Day, held on June 12, 2026.
Photos from the event can be found at: Photo Gallery: Finlayson Research Day 2026 | Department of Pathology - McGill University
This year the Department was honoured to have Dr. Michael Pollanen as our Keynote speaker, who commenced the event by giving a lecture on "Brains, Africa, and tau: nodding syndrome of Uganda", which was followed by six oral abstract presentations from our residents and graduate students. The afternoon session opened with Dr. Pollanen's keynote lecture "The Pathology of Human Rights Violations". The afternoon session proceeded with sessions on The Advances and Challenges in Modern Autopsy Practice, and Forensics, led by Dr. Karl Grenier, Dr. Chantal Bernard, Dr. Badia Issa-Chergui, and Dr. Marie-Eve Meehan. Following these lectures, the afternoon speakers held a roundtable discussion period. The panel discussion was proceeded with a segment dedicated to Autopsy Pioneers in Québec, featuring Dr. Moy Fong Chen and Dr. Richard Fraser. The afternoon session ended with abstract poster presentations given by 8 of the Department's residents and graduate students. The day was then concluded with an evening reception and award ceremony.
2026 Award Winners:
Teacher of the Year: Dr. Basile Tessier-Cloutier
Resident Teacher of the Year: Dr. Ajay Rajaram
Resident of the Year: Dr. Émilie Pichette
Oral Presentation Awardees:
1st place: Fariya Wahab
2nd place: Dr. Ajay Rajaram
3rd place: Nivedita Kaorey and Zhaoping (Aaron) Ju
Poster Presentation Awardees:
1st place: Sarah Slim Diwan
2nd place: Thupten Tsering
3rd place: Mayerly Castrillon Sanchez