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Stephen Scherer, chief of research at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and professor in the department of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has received the Debrecen Award for Molecular Medicine.

Presented by the University of Debrecen in Hungary, the award recognizes scientists who have made significant advancements in the field of molecular medicine, and whose pioneering research has had a profound impact on modern patient care. 

Scherer, the director of the Centre for Applied Genomics and senior scientist in the genetics and genome biology program at SickKids, was recognized for his contributions to the discovery of genome-wide copy number variation and its role in influencing genes implicated in numerous medical conditions, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

“I am deeply grateful to the University of Debrecen for this award and remain dedicated to deciphering the complexities of the human genome, both for the advancement of genomic research and for the ultimate goal of enhancing patient care,” says Scherer, who is also the director of the McLaughlin Centre at Temerty.

Ronald Cohn, president and CEO of SickKids and professor of molecular genetics at Temerty, said Scherer's work has had a "profound impact" on the scientific community and patients around the world. "His scientific leadership and commitment to translational research to support clinical diagnostics and therapeutic development has not only bolstered our institution’s global reputation in genomic science but also underpins our Precision Child Health movement," Cohn said.