Pawan Singal, director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface General Hospital and professor of physiology at the University of Manitoba, received a Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement award on June 9 as part of the “Best of the Best” Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) annual Awards and Gala Night at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Singal was cited for his International recognition in the field of “oxidative stress and heart failure” as well as for his leadership role in community projects.
 
Internationally known for his work on oxidative stress and heart failure, Dr. Singal has made significant contributions in the understanding of the sequeale of heart failure. He has published 240 papers, has co-edited 25 books and trained more than 100 students, fellows and visiting scientists. He has received more than 50 national and international recognitions. The ‘Pawan K. Singal Award for Graduate Students in Cardiovascular Sciences’ was established in his name at the U of M, and his name has been added to the Wall of Fame in University Center in recognition of his outstanding teaching skills and research.
 
Dr. Singal’s laboratory initiated and has continued interest in the role of oxidative stress in heart cell pathophysiology. For this purpose, he employs three different animal models of congestive heart failure subsequent to: adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and a chronic pressure overload. His hypothesis—that cardiac dilation may be due to a relative increase in the production of free radicals and lipid peroxides as well as a decrease in the "antioxidant reserve"—has been proven by different hemodynamic, molecular biology and histological approaches. Changes in non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as vitamin A and E, are also being characterized to fully understand the oxidative stress changes and their consequences. The lab has developed a major breakthrough in the safe use of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin, achieved in the experimental model; more recently, the lab has focused on investigating to mitigate the cardiotoxic side effects of Herceptin, another anticancer drug in use for breast cancer patients. This research may significantly change and improve therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cancer patients.
 
The annual ICCC Awards and Gala Night is a glittering spectacle of dance, music, awards presentations and speeches by eminent personalities from Canada and India. This year’s event drew over 1,400 attendees with a theme of ‘Engaging Partners, Implementing Strategies.’ The black-tie gala also hosted a number of Canadian influencers, including The Honorable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister for Natural Resources, and Phaneesh Murthy, president and CEO of iGate, who was the keynote speaker. The event recognized prominent Indo-Canadian achievers from across the country in several categories throughout the evening.