Paula McLaughlin

I had the honour (and luck) of working with Don at both the Rotman and OBI! I first met Don in 2002 after he agreed to hire me as a summer student. I was a mediocre undergraduate at best, and for some reason Darlene Floden had convinced him to give me a shot. Dar, who had interviewed me because Don was out of town, must have been desperate! Regardless, this summer position would shape my professional trajectory immensely. I went on to complete my undergraduate thesis with Don that fall, and then worked in his lab as a RA, before heading off to graduate school. As I reflect back on that time, what stands out is not the science or research (which were obviously impressive) or the unequivocal fact that Don was an exceptional teacher (which was also very apparent), but just how extraordinarily approachable he was. Don was warm and welcoming. He was genuinely interested in you as a person. Don cultivated a collegial environment, and instilled the importance of camaraderie both within his lab and amongst the various students, RAs, and scientists at the Rotman. (I still fondly remember him coming into the lab on a Monday at 3:55pm firmly saying “What are you doing?! We have rounds!” And from that day forward I never missed a talk during my time at the Rotman, no matter what the topic was.) Despite his hectic schedule Don always made time for lab dinners and excursions – and kindly hosted us at his home and cottage on various occasions. Over the years Don continued to provide guidance and mentorship. He was always generous with his time, giving many pearls of wisdom as I fumbled through grad school and my postdoc. Then, almost 10 years after leaving his lab for grad school, I was incredibly fortunate to land a position on one of the OBI’s Integrated Discovery Programs. Once again I was working with Don - but this time I was a colleague! Those early days on ONDRI were challenging. Having just completed my postdoc, I was joining a team of remarkable senior scientists and clinicians, tasked with leading the neuropsychology aspect of the program. It was daunting to say the least. But, as always, Don was there to offer sage advice and support, as well as a laugh or two. His ability to bring people together was absolutely astonishing. I will always be grateful for what Don did for me professionally and personally (he even facilitated my recent re-location to Halifax!). Don - Thank you for your generosity, guidance, and patience. Thank you for teaching me and showing me the importance of collaboration and camaraderie. And thank you for giving me a shot so many years ago.