Connie Eaves, PhD, FAACR: In Memoriam (1944–2024)
Authors: Martin Hirst
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Dr. Connie Eaves, Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and at the School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia and Distinguished Scientist at the Terry Fox Laboratory at BC Cancer, was a pioneering leader in the field of hematopoietic and mammary stem cell biology. Her seminal contributions to the ways in which we quantitatively measure and describe normal and malignant cell states have profoundly influenced the field of cancer research. The methodologies she pioneered for quantifying and characterizing primitive cells have advanced therapies to improve the lives of countless patients while providing a conceptual framework to catalyze future understanding and innovation in stem cell research.Eaves was a national and international leader and champion of basic research. She co-founded the Terry Fox Laboratory at BC Cancer with her life partner Dr. Allen Eaves and played a pivotal role in the Canadian Stem Cell Network. She held a number of leadership roles within the National Cancer Institute of Canada, where she was instrumental in founding the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance. This initiative marked the creation of Canada's first national funding source dedicated to breast cancer research. Eaves served as president of the International Society for Experimental Hematology and on numerous advisory and editorial boards, including the International Society for Stem Cell Research.Eaves was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Royal Society (United Kingdom), and the AACR Academy. She was also made an officer of the Order of Canada. Her research garnered numerous awards including the Gairdner Wightman Award, Till McCulloch Lifetime Achievement Award, and International Society for Stem Cell Research Tobias Award.Eaves was a pioneer from an early age and, while enrolled in a pre-medical training program in Paris—a rarity for women at the time—became interested in research, completing her bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology before going on to complete a master's degree at Queen's University studying oncogenic viruses. Her interests turned toward the emerging field of immunology, and she completed her PhD at the University of Manchester studying the production of antibody-forming cells from their precursors. Following a return to Canada, she completed her postdoctoral training at the Ontario Cancer Institute in hematopoiesis. It was at this point that Eaves developed a lifelong interest in the hematopoietic system and the cells that drive it.Starting with human and then mouse models, Eaves defined in vitro colony assays that allowed for the quantitative assessment of blood cell production and drove foundational insights into the early stages of hematopoiesis. Her research advanced the emerging field of stem cell transplantation, enabling curative therapies for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and defining the first of a new class of "quiescent" CML stem cells that were inherently resistant to chemotherapy.Recognizing the potential for applying tools and concepts developed for the blood system in new contexts, Eaves adapted clonogenic growth assays to characterize normal human breast epithelial cell subpopulations. She subsequently developed methods for the quantitative characterization of both mouse and human mammary cells, enabling the purification of functionally distinct mammary cell subtypes. Applying these tools in in vitro and in vivo models, she made seminal contributions to our understanding of normal mammary cell differentiation.Eaves was a strong advocate of the importance of studying cancer in human models, and her deep understanding of normal stem cells provided a foundation from which she developed engineered human models of leukemia and breast cancer. These deceptively simple models represent a technical tour de force and enabled a controlled molecular dissection of the very earliest stages of transformation.A common thread of how to isolate, quantify, and characterize cells that wove through Eaves's work provided the innovation that fueled STEMCELL Technologies, a world-leading biotechnology company founded by Dr. Allen Eaves that supports countless academic and industrial scientists working in stem cell research around the globe.Eaves was a force of nature who could tap into a seemingly inexhaustible fountain of knowledge on any topic and transform it into pioneering research as well as much-appreciated advice to colleagues and trainees. She was a prolific and legendary writer with a fondness for long sentences who authored over 390 research publications, 70 reviews, and 46 book chapters. She possessed a rare ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and charm, making even the most intricate concepts accessible. Her weekly, hours-long "heme" and "mammary" meetings were open to colleagues and provided a dynamic space for sharing ideas and engaging in rigorous scientific debate that Eaves inspired and encouraged.Indeed, collaboration was Eaves's creed; she believed in the synergy of minds working together, in making the whole more than the sum of its parts. Always on the cutting edge, she sought out opportunities to complement others' work, to build rather than compete, and to elevate rather than overshadow. Details mattered to Eaves, and she never hesitated to pause a presentation to ask for clarification or provide an alternate and often insightful explanation for an observation.Eaves, a wife and mother of four, was a celebrated advocate for inclusive science. She openly discussed the evolving dynamics for women in her field, recognizing both the strides made and the ongoing challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding scientific career. Eaves highlighted the unique societal expectations placed on women, especially the dual pressures of childbearing and professional ambitions. She advocated for personal agency in managing these roles, emphasizing that achieving balance is feasible but requires thoughtful prioritization and sacrifices.Eaves's legacy is not just in the ground-breaking research she conducted or the papers that bear her name. It is in the lives she touched, the careers she nurtured, and the community she built. Generosity was Eaves's second nature. She gave of her time and expertise willingly and, coffee in hand, would offer guidance, support, and a listening ear to anyone who asked. As a mentor to over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and countless faculty over her 5-decade career, she was the role model who walked the walk, living her values and inspiring others to follow suit. Her commitment to uncompromising objectivity and the scientific method was matched only by her capacity for warmth and empathy, making her an inspiration for all who had the privilege to know her.