James Shapiro

Who is James Shapiro?

James Shapiro, MD PhD FRCS FRCSC MSM was born in Leeds, England and obtained his medical degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is currently a Canadian Research Chair in transplantation and the Director of the Clinical Islet Transplant Program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. He is Professor of Surgery, Medicine and Surgical Oncology.

Shapiro is known for developing the Edmonton protocol, an islet transplantation technique which has allowed many severe diabetics to stop taking insulin entirely, although the duration of this insulin independence does vary. The Edmonton Protocol is considered a major advancement from earlier transplantation efforts, and has regenerated much interest and research into establishing islet transplantation as a regular treatment modality for diabetes. One of the key components included a successful cocktail of non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive drugs, necessary for the prevention of allogeneic graft rejection.

James is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Hunterian Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Paul E.