On October 28, 2009, CIHR had the great honour of hosting a visit to Ottawa by four distinguished health researchers, each a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and a Gairdner International Award: Dr. Bengt Samuelsson (Sweden), Dr. Harald zur Hausen (Germany), Dr. Peter Doherty (Australia) and Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel (Switzerland). During their visit, the Laureates delivered lectures at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University as part of 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Gairdner Foundation. The group received special recognition during Question Period in the House of Commons and met Prime Minister Stephen Harper before touring the Library of Parliament. They also mingled with numerous Members of Parliament, Senators, ambassadors and members of Canada's research community at reception hosted by the Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House.

(L to r) Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR, and The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.

(L to r) The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, and Christine Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs at CIHR.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper speaking with the visiting Nobel Laureates. Pictured next to the Prime Minister on his left are laureates Dr. Harald Zur Hausen and Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper discussing the state of research in Canada with (left to right) Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel, Dr. Peter Doherty, Dr. Bengt I. Samuelsson and Dr. Harald Zur Hausen.

(L to r): Mr. William R. Young, Parliamentary Librarian; Dr. Henry Friesen, Chair, The Gairdner Foundation; Dr. Harald zur Hausen; Dr. Bengt Samuelsson; Dr. Peter Doherty; Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel; Dr. Alain Beaudet, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

(L to r): Dr. Peter Doherty; Dr. Bengt Samuelsson; Hon. Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons; Dr. Harald zur Hausen; Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel

Dr. Alain Beaudet (left) and Hon. Peter Milliken

(L to r): Mr. Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser (Saskatchewan); Dr. Peter Doherty; Dr. Bengt Samuelsson

Dr. Henry Friesen

(L to r): Dr. Bengt Samuelsson; Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer; Dr. Henry Friesen