Gerry & Jackie Krystal Award for Cancer Prevention Research Endowment
Dr. Gerald (Gerry) Krystal (1944-2026) was a Distinguished Scientist at the Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Research Institute, and a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia. After completing his PhD in Protein Chemistry at McGill University, Dr. Krystal joined BC Cancer in 1978 as the first postdoctoral fellow of Dr. Connie Eaves.
Dr. Krystal dedicated his professional life to understanding how the biological drivers of cancer influence cancer risk and outcomes, including tumour initiation, growth, and metastasis. Throughout his career, he explored innovative approaches to cancer prevention and treatment, with a particular interest in manipulating the tumour microenvironment through diet and, later, natural compounds that could selectively target cancer cells. In 2011, his laboratory published a pivotal paper in Cancer Research demonstrating that low-carbohydrate diets enriched with resistant starch or soluble fibre, soy protein, and fish oil could significantly reduce the incidence of several cancers, including breast and lung cancers.
Over the course of his remarkable career, Dr. Krystal collaborated extensively with experts across a wide range of disciplines, including immunology, hematology, hypoxia biology, ketogenic nutrition, exercise science, clinical oncology and aging. These collaborations consistently resulted in impactful publications, reflecting the broad reach and interdisciplinary nature of his scientific contributions.
Among his many accomplishments, the Krystal laboratory conducted pioneering clinical studies aimed at reducing markers of chronic inflammation in heavy smokers. His team also developed screening assays capable of identifying smokers at elevated risk of developing lung cancer, representing an important advance in personalized cancer prevention. Central to much of his work was the belief that chronic inflammation, even when not clinically apparent, played a critical role in increasing cancer risk.
A dedicated mentor and educator, Dr. Krystal supervised 21 undergraduate students, 13 PhD students, and 16 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to establish distinguished scientific careers of their own. Beyond his scientific achievements, Gerry will be remembered fondly by generations of colleagues and trainees at the Terry Fox Laboratory for his annual Christmas party stand-up comedy performances, which became a cherished tradition.
In 2025, Dr. Krystal was awarded the prestigious Dr. Rogers Prize for Advancing Health, Medicine & Healing in recognition of his exceptional contributions to healthcare and his groundbreaking research on the role of diet in cancer prevention. He will also be remembered for his extraordinary generosity and commitment to supporting future generations of scientists. Together with his wife, Jackie, he donated more than $400,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation to establish the Gerry & Jackie Krystal Award for Cancer Prevention Research, creating a lasting legacy for cancer research in British Columbia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation in support of the Gerry & Jackie Krystal Award for Cancer Prevention Research Endowment Fund, which supports cancer prevention research at the L.J. Blackmore Cancer Research Centre.
