Lehana Thabane, PhD, FRSC, FSCT, FASA, FCAHS, MASSAf (Hon Foreign Assoc)

Recipient of the 2025 Professional Achievement Award

Dr. Lehana Thabane, PhD'98, is an internationally renowned biostatistician and vice-president of research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and St Joseph’s Health System, where he also serves as scientific director of its research institute. He is a professor of biostatistics in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University.

A global leader in clinical trial methodology, Dr. Thabane has shaped the design and analysis of health research across disciplines and continents. A proud Western alum, Dr. Thabane earned his PhD in biostatistics from Western University, a milestone that launched a prolific career in academia and public health.

He has authored over 1,200 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 78,000 citations. His methodological innovations—especially in pilot and feasibility trials, adaptive designs, and pragmatic trials—are foundational to modern clinical trial research.

Dr. Thabane has served as lead statistician on landmark international trials, including the award-winning TOGETHER Trial, which shaped global COVID-19 treatment protocols. In 2022, he received both the David Sackett Trial of the Year Award and the Statistical Society of Canada’s Award for Impact of Applied and Collaborative Work. His research has informed over 1,000 clinical guidelines and health policy documents across 50 countries, including the World Health Organization.

passionate mentor and educator, Dr. Thabane has supervised more than 200 graduate students and junior faculty from over 50 countries. His dedication to capacity-building in biostatistics for health research has led to the creation of graduate programs in biostatistics in Africa and the establishment of the Sub-Saharan Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics. His mentorship has been recognized with McMaster University’s President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision and multiple teaching awards.

Dr. Thabane is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the American Statistical Association, the Society for Clinical Trials, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He is also an honorary foreign associate of the Academy of Science of South Africa and past president of the Society for Clinical Trials.

As the founding co-editor-in-chief of Pilot and Feasibility Studies, he helped establish the journal as the leading global platform for research in its field. Recognized as a world expert in research design by Expertscape in 2021, he was also named to Clarivate’s 2024 list of Highly Cited Researchers—one of only 16 from McMaster University. In 2023, he received an honorary doctor of science degree from Stellenbosch University in recognition of his global contributions to health research.

He currently chairs the board of directors of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and serves as chair of the methodology committee for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in the United States, advancing high standards in clinical trials through his work with national and international advisory bodies.

Admired for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to service, Dr. Thabane exemplifies Western University’s values. His legacy is one of scientific excellence, transformative mentorship, and global impact—lifting others as he leads with integrity and vision.