The lecture series is named for Dr. Tarunendu Ghose, who was a distinguished physician, medical researcher, and educator whose lifelong commitment to advancing cancer research and promoting global health left a lasting impact. Born in India, Dr. Ghose’s career spanned continents, with a particular focus on oncology, radiation biology, and the biological effects of radiation. His distinguished career continued at Dalhousie University for over two decades as a faculty member. He pioneered research in cancer immunology, authoring 200 papers and giving invited lectures at scientific meetings around the world.
But Dr. Ghose’s legacy extends beyond his scientific work. He was a passionate advocate for global health, peace, and social justice. His deep concerns about the state of the world were reflected in his personal actions and his writings. In a letter written just weeks before his passing in 2020, he expressed his hopes for a better future: “There is nothing but human destruction and devastation going on unchecked around the world. We need to have a minimum standard of human health, we need strong international bodies to promote peace and avoid wars. We also need to ban the sale of weapons of mass destruction. Canada can probably do something about it.”
In recognition of these values, Dr. Ghose left funds to establish this lecture series on global and planetary health, a testament to his dedication to keeping these conversations at the forefront of our work at Dalhousie and in the Maritimes.