Trent University Saddened to Learn of the Passing of Professor Emeritus Dr Gordon Winocur
Dr. Winocur was renowned as a global leader for research in aging, memory, and brain health
The University community is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Gordon Winocur, professor emeritus in Trent’s Department of Psychology, renowned for his lifetime of work studying the brain and memory.
Dr. Gordon Winocur joined the Department of Psychology at Trent University in 1971. He later became acting chair of the Psychology Department 1975/76, then a full Professor in 1977. Dr. Winocur retired in 2007, achieving professor emeritus status in 2023.
Dr. Winocur was also a senior scientist at Baycrest Health Sciences’ Rotman Research Institute, and a professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Due to his profound research in cognitive neuroscience, he received many accolades over his career. Between 1984 and 1989, Dr. Winocur was named a fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, International Neuropsychological Society, and American Psychological Society. In 1984, he received the John Dewan Award for Research Excellence by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation. Trent University presented Dr. Winocur with the Distinguished Research Award in 1991.
Dr. Winocur dedicated his scientific career to advancing the field of cognitive neuroscience by conducting research with a cross-species perspective and by focusing on clinical applications. One of areas of study focused on “chemobrain” and how drugs commonly used in chemotherapy have negative effects on brain function and on the ability to perform basic cognitive tasks. Through his groundbreaking research and, as a member of the International Cancer and Cognitive Task Force, Dr. Winocur was instrumental in establishing the legitimacy of “chemobrain” as a medical condition, stimulating basic and clinical research, and influencing advances in diagnosis and treatment. In 2013, Dr. Winocur received grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation to expand research he conducted at Trent’s Behavioral Neuroscience lab.
The University extends heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. Gordon Winocur and to all who knew him at Trent.