On November 18 and 19, the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ community celebrated the academic achievements of its 2025 Fall graduates. Congrats and well done, everyone!
During the November 18 ceremony, ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ graduate and biomedical innovator Fred Van Goor received an honorary degree for his groundbreaking research to develop a new class of treatments that can extend the life expectancy of those with Cystic Fibrosis by decades. Van Goor earned his bachelor of science and PhD in biological sciences from the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Institutes of Health before joining Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2001, where he is now Vice-President and Head of Cystic Fibrosis Research. At Vertex, he led a team that discovered and developed five licensed medicines for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, including Trikafta, an ingenious combination of three drugs that work in tandem to repair defects in a protein found in people with cystic fibrosis. Trikafta is suitable for about 90 per cent of people living with cystic fibrosis and is accessible in more than 50 countries. Van Goor is now working on a new treatment for those who don’t respond to current therapies.
It is with immense gratitude and humility that I accept this honorary Doctor of Science degree from the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ — a place that shaped my journey as a scientist and as a person.
I am reminded of the life path that brought me from my childhood in Calgary to the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ and now, after nearly 30 years in science, back to this incredible university. I arrived at the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ expecting to follow my father into medicine, but it was here, in the Department of Zoology (as it was known at the time) that my path took an unexpected change. I took a summer job in Professor John Chang’s lab, where he was studying growth and reproduction in goldfish. John’s passion for science and mentorship sparked my interest in research, and he inspired me to earn a PhD based on the research I performed in his lab.
After completing my post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, I faced a choice familiar to many scientists: whether to pursue a career in academia or industry. Academia was familiar, but I was drawn to the possibilities of drug development. My experiences here at the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ gave me the confidence to take a chance on industry.
I imagine I would have enjoyed academia. As it turned out, the job I took at Vertex Pharmaceuticals was the right path for me. I have had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in science and medicine. Drug discovery is the ultimate team sport, requiring collaboration across disciplines and a relentless drive to solve problems.
I want to acknowledge the extraordinary people who have been instrumental in my journey at Vertex. To begin, I would like to acknowledge Paul Negulescu. Paul hired me from my post doc, taking a chance on me as a young scientist. Paul is the visionary who saw the possibility of treatments for cystic fibrosis. For over two decades, I have been fortunate to work with Paul and Sabine Hadida, who are colleagues and friends. I also want to thank David Altshuler, the Chief Scientific Officer at Vertex. David taught me the importance of being a lifelong learner — to never settle, to always strive to get better and to approach every challenge as an opportunity for growth.
The work we’ve done at Vertex has resulted in breakthroughs in the treatment for cystic fibrosis. Developing these medicines, which have transformed lives, is what scientists dream about. I recall the day we saw the first clinical data for our first medicine, Kalydeco, which showed a greater than expected improvement in lung function and a dramatic drop in sweat chloride – a measurement in people that told us we were addressing the underlying cause of the genetic disease. Although the medicine could treat only five per cent of people with CF, it was a moment of joy, but also a reminder that our work was just beginning. Today, people born with CF are living longer and healthier lives. The medicines we have developed at Vertex can treat over 90 per cent of people with CF, and I remain motivated to carry on until we reach all people with CF.
Reflecting on my journey, I am deeply grateful to the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ for nurturing my curiosity and helping me find my passion for scientific research.
To the students here today: stay curious, follow your passion and embrace challenging opportunities. You never know where your journey will lead. Don’t be afraid to take risks. The world needs scientists who are passionate, persistent and fearless.
Thank you to the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥, to my mentors, colleagues, family – Stacy and Noah – and to the patients and families who inspire us every day. I am proud to be part of this legacy, and I look forward to seeing the next generation of scientists chart their own paths forward.