04/29/2026
Message from: Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, President and The Entire CBSN Leadership
On behalf of the Canadian Black Scientists Network
It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of Dr. Juliet Daniel, a founding member of the Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN), who died recently after an illness.
Dr. Daniel was not only one of the inaugural members of CBSN in 2020, but also a driving force behind its vision and purpose. Her belief in the importance of community, mentorship, and representation helped shape the foundation of this network and continues to guide us today.
A Barbadian-born Canadian, Dr. Daniel was a distinguished biology professor at McMaster University, where her research focused on cancer biology. She was globally recognized for her groundbreaking discovery and naming of the gene Kaiso, a contribution that has had lasting impact in the field. Building on this work, her lab studied triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with a focus on identifying genetic risk factors that may help explain the higher prevalence and mortality of this disease among women of African ancestry. In 2017, her team demonstrated that Kaiso plays a key role in the proliferation and survival of TNBC cells.
Her research also extended into a major, groundbreaking national effort to better understand chronic diseases affecting Black communities in Canada. As a principal investigator on the recent Genome Canada $18 M funded project, Genomic Evidence For Precision Medicine For Selected Chronic Diseases Among Black Peoples In Canada, Dr. Daniel contributed to the sequencing of the genomes of 10,000 Black Canadians. This work aims to generate critical genomic evidence to support precision medicine approaches and to better understand why conditions such as hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and triple-negative breast cancer disproportionately impact Black Canadians. This initiative reflects both the scale of her scientific vision and her commitment to advancing equity in health outcomes.
An exemplar of scientific excellence, Dr. Daniel was committed to illuminating and addressing health disparities affecting Black communities. She connected her research to real-world impact, and that same sense of purpose shaped how she mentored and supported others.
Over the course of her career, she built an extraordinary body of work, supported by major national and international funding agencies, including Genome Canada (Ontario Genomics), CIHR, NSERC, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Breast Cancer IDEA Awards. Her research publications have been cited nearly 6,500 times, reflecting both their influence and reach.
Her achievements were recognized with numerous prestigious honours. Among them are inclusion in the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, the WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, the BBPA Harry Jerome Innovation and Technology Award, the YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction Award, and the Gold Crown of Merit for Cancer Research, a national honour from Barbados. She also received the Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award and a Vice-Chancellor Award from the University of the West Indies. Most recently, she was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, one of the highest distinctions in the field, and was named a Distinguished University Professor at McMaster University, the institution’s highest academic honour.
While these accomplishments place Dr. Daniel at the pinnacle of Canadian and international cancer research, her legacy is equally defined by her deep and enduring commitment to people. She was truly adored by the Hamilton community. Over the years, she opened the doors of the university to young children through science-focused summer camps hosted at McMaster, creating early pathways into discovery and learning. She developed tiered mentorship programs in collaboration with community organizations, designed to support high school students, particularly those who might not otherwise see themselves in academic spaces in West Hamilton. These programs extended through undergraduate and graduate levels, fostering a culture where students were mentored at every stage, and where mentorship itself was a shared responsibility.
Dr. Daniel went above and beyond for her students. She built lasting relationships that extended far beyond the classroom and laboratory. Many of her former students and their families became lifelong friends, welcoming her into their lives for birthdays, weddings, and other important moments. She was also a strong supporter of Black graduation celebrations and Black History Month events at McMaster, helping to create spaces of recognition and pride.
She carried her Caribbean heritage with deep pride and joy. She played pan with the Hamilton Youth Steel Orchestra and brought that same warmth and cultural connection into every space she entered. She was an active member of the community-led Black Health Table, where she generously shared her expertise. Known as a natural connector, she was always ready to support others, whether by opening a door, making an introduction, or offering guidance.
Above all, she will be remembered for her warmth. She had an infectious smile, a generous spirit, and was always known for giving a heartfelt hug. She made people feel seen, supported, and valued.
In 2006, she co-founded the Canadian Multicultural LEAD Organization for Mentoring & Training, reflecting her long-standing commitment to equity and opportunity in science and education. Her mentorship and advocacy directly shaped the lives and careers of countless students and were central to her role in helping establish CBSN.
Dr. Daniel was, in every sense, a giant among Canadian researchers. Her brilliance, leadership, and humanity leave an enduring mark on our community.
The Canadian Black Scientists Network mourns this tremendous loss alongside her family, colleagues, mentees, and the broader scientific community. We extend our deepest condolences to all who were touched by her life and work.
We will continue to honour her legacy by carrying forward the values she championed so strongly: excellence in science, commitment to mentorship, and the building of inclusive and supportive communities.
