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Lisa Robinson appointed dean of U of T鈥檚 Temerty Faculty of Medicine

A clinician-scientist and paediatric nephrologist, Robinson has also been appointed vice-provost, relations with health-care institutions
Lisa Robinson stands in front of a brick wall

(supplied image)

Lisa Robinson, a clinician-scientist and paediatric nephrologist who seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms behind kidney disease and transform care for children living with complex illnesses, .

Currently Temerty Medicine鈥檚 vice-dean, strategy and operations and co-chair of its finance committee, Robinson will assume her new role on July 1, 2024 for a five-year term.

She was also appointed vice-provost, relations with health-care institutions for the same term.

鈥淚鈥檓 very biased, but the faculty, the university and the (TAHSN) structure are incredible 鈥 so I鈥檓 very excited,鈥 said Robinson, a professor in Temerty Medicine鈥檚 and the .

Robinson, who earned her MD at the university, is a staff physician and former head of the division of nephrology at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where she specializes in caring for children with kidney disease, including a focus on renal transplantation.

A senior scientist in the cell biology program at the SickKids Research Institute, Robinson has led a research program 鈥 both fundamental and translational 鈥 over more than two decades that has encouraged collaboration between scientists, clinicians and learners at all levels. Her work draws on biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, advanced microscopy and disease models to explore immune responses in the context of kidney injury and progression of kidney disease. She is also investigating ways to expand the pool of viable donor kidneys available to patients who need kidney transplants.

鈥淲hat I really want to do is use the new knowledge we generate from this research to transform the way we care for children and adults with kidney disease,鈥 said Robinson, who holds a tier-one Canada Research Chair in vascular inflammation and kidney injury.

Robinson is a dedicated mentor and educator who has supervised many undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows. She founded the SickKids Research Institute鈥檚 Kids Science program, which gives middle and high school students from under-served communities the opportunity to learn about careers in science and technology.

鈥淧rofessor Robinson鈥檚 commitment to inclusive excellence, her advocacy for the sector and her vision for the future will be key to the success of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine in the years ahead,鈥 said Cheryl Regehr, U of T鈥檚 vice-president and provost.

Robinson will succeed Professor Trevor Young in the roles after he was appointed U of T鈥檚 next vice-president and provost earlier this year, with his term beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Professor Patricia Houston will serve as interim dean of Temerty Medicine until Robinson assumes the role in July.

Robinson said Young made 鈥渆normous鈥 contributions to the faculty.

鈥淒ean Young was the catalyst behind our , in which so many members of our community see themselves reflected,鈥 Robinson said. 鈥淗is approach, vision and relational leadership also helped set the stage for the Temerty family鈥檚 historic gift to the faculty, which has been transformational.鈥

As dean, Robinson said she is keen to explore ways to further grow supports and opportunities for Temerty Medicine students.

鈥淚 want to renew our emphasis on a student-centric approach that addresses financial challenges, wellness, mental health and mentorship 鈥 and use the collective expertise we have across TAHSN to give our students a competitive advantage,鈥 she said, adding that her priorities also include strengthening the recruitment, development and support of faculty and staff.

鈥淲e have to renew our focus and make sure that we create an environment in which every member of the community feels valued because that鈥檚 the only way in which every person can flourish.鈥

Robinson also wants to leverage TAHSN 鈥 which comprises U of T and partner hospitals 鈥 to maximize research potential, accelerate translation of research and foster a renewed emphasis on commercialization and industry collaboration. 鈥淥ur people flow back and forth across U of T and partner health-care institutions, so we鈥檙e uniquely positioned to take advantage of this unique ecosystem,鈥 she said.

To advance inter-disciplinary research, Robinson intends to strengthen Temerty Medicine鈥檚 ties with partners across U of T鈥檚 three campuses, including the , Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH), the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and the Faculty of Arts & Science.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a matter of thinking broadly about the broader environment and making sure we have opportunities to bring together people who wouldn鈥檛 normally work with one another.鈥

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