Discovery should be ‘everyone, everywhere,’ says Lawson Research Institute Scientific Director Lisa Porter.
Lisa Porter believes excellence in health research is a continuum of inquiry, inspiration, innovation and improved patient care.
That’s why she is so energized by the promise and potential of Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), where she is Scientific Director and Vice President Research.
“Discovery comes from exploring great questions. You can’t have a ‘eureka’ moment without asking why things work, or don’t work – and that’s what we do so well here at St. Joseph’s,” says Porter.
A distinguished scientist herself with a passion for asking those probing questions, Porter leads strategic planning for research across the organization. Her vision includes growing the rich culture of research in several specialty pillars, while also reinforcing direct links between scientific inquiry and patient health.
“There’s data to show that patients who are treated in research-intensive hospitals live longer. That’s not just patients in clinical trials who benefit; that’s all patients who live longer,” she notes.
Other elements of her vision for Lawson include elevating data sharing and research support, expanding training opportunities for young researchers, growing grant support, strengthening collaboration and partnerships, and building relationships and reputation.
“I love that excellence is one of the values of St. Joseph’s. Excellence doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It means we’re continuously striving to be better. It means we’re asking questions that can drive better health care – not just for the patients we serve, but for national and global impact, too.”
Porter comes from a family of knowledge-seekers and problem-solvers. Her father repaired electronics and was an avid inventor. Her mother was a self-taught income –tax preparer with meticulous attention to detail. They ignited in her a curiosity that continued through her undergraduate studies in biology and pharmacology, her graduate and postdoctoral work, and her research as a cancer scientist at University of Windsor and founding director of its WE-SPARK Health Research Institute.
Now at Lawson, she wants to encourage, inspire and spotlight the innovative work of researchers, scientists, clinicians and students who are passionate about improving health.
“I want research to be everyone, everywhere,” she says. “We need hospitals, industry, people with lived experience, and policy makers coming into the fray. It can’t be just the researcher, the scientist. It’s about having champions embedded in all walks of life, from first line of care to people who can influence systemic change. It’s a messy piece, but it’s also how we fulfil this bigger mission to help everyone who comes to us for health care.”