Text by Charmaine Lingdas
Photo courtesy of Dr. Herbert Gaisano
University of the Philippines College of Medicine alumnus Dr. Herbert Gaisano has been named one of the recipients of the 2025 Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award, according to the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dr. Gaisano is a professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto, a staff physician in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University Health Network, and a senior scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute. He is internationally recognized for pioneering work on pancreatic secretory mechanisms, including demonstrating the role of SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptors) proteins in pancreatic secretion, and for leading a prominent pancreatic cell biology research laboratory.
His body of work includes about 240 original manuscripts with more than 12,500 citations. Dr. Gaisano’s research clarified how atypical SNARE protein behavior contributes to diseases such as alcoholic pancreatitis and insulin secretory defects in diabetes and has informed translational efforts toward treatments for diabetes and other pancreatic disorders. He was the principal investigator and director on major Canada Foundation for Innovation grants that established the Center for Diet, Digestive Tract and Disease and the Center for Islet Research and Therapeutics — the latter helping launch a clinical islet transplantation program at Toronto General Hospital.
Beyond his research and clinical work, Dr. Gaisano has been active in mentoring the next generation of scientists. He started an exchange program that brings MD-PhD students from the UPCM to his Toronto laboratory for training and research experience. His honors include the Order of Ontario, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2016, the Canadian Province’s highest official honor, and a fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Established in 1981,the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have made exceptional contributions to medicine through practice, research, education, or administration.
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