Dr. Hira Mian named ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair in Cancer Therapeutics Research

Hira Mian named ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair in Cancer Therapeutics Research 

The Department of Oncology and Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University together with the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Hira Mian as the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair in Cancer Therapeutics Research effective July 1, 2024.

Established through a generous donation from ArcelorMittal Dofasco, the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair’s role is to develop a high impact research program and contribute significantly to the body of scholarship in cancer therapeutics research. Dr. Mian’s research vision is to establish Hamilton as a leading multiple myeloma research program in Canada to optimize patient care. Dr. Mian aims to achieve this goal through cancer therapeutics evaluation in clinical trials, translational research in collaboration with the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research and health services and outcomes research. Her commitment to education as the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair will include contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of research curricular innovations in undergraduate medical education and postgraduate fellowships.

Dr. Mian joined the Department of Oncology in July 2018 as an Assistant Professor and Clinician Educator in the Division of Malignant Hematology. She completed her MD from McMaster University, followed by Internal Medicine and Hematology residency training at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, respectively. Dr. Mian further completed a Malignant Hematology Fellowship and MSc in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. She was promoted to Associate Professor with CAWAR in July 2024.

Hira has developed a comprehensive research program in cancer therapeutics with a clinical focus in multiple myeloma. Since joining the faculty in 2018, she has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, including half as first or senior author. Over the past 5 years, she has secured 12 grants, totaling $12M, including nine grants as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator. She has developed extensive research collaborations across the country and internationally and is committed to developing a nationally recognized academic program in Myeloma research.

Hira’s academic achievements have been recognized locally, as the recipient of an HHS early career award and the HHS Vice President Research Award for Outstanding Service – Rising Star, nationally as the recipient of the 2024 CCTG Dr. Ralph Meyer Phase II Program Young Investigator Award, and internationally having received the American Society of Hematology clinical research training award.

Hira’s cancer therapeutics program includes two academic clinical trials. In 2023, she was awarded $3M from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which will fund the Canadian Clinical Trials Group MY13, which sets out to investigate time-limited versus continuous Daratumumab treatment for older people with multiple myeloma and will inform practice internationally. She is also the PI on a $5M industry-funded study, EMBRACE, which will evaluate whether adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma can safely receive less treatment and care at home. The aim is to improve patient care and reduce pressures on the health system.

The ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair was made possible through a generous donation from ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc. to the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation (via the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation) in 2005, which included an endowment fund in support of this chair.