Julio Montaner is a world-famous HIV/AIDS researcher UBC prof and physician at St. Paul’s Hospital. Photo Cherihan Hassun / The Ubyssey
If the number of lives one saved determined your membership in the Justice League, Dr. Julio Montaner would be the real-life equivalent of Superman. Regarded as one of the foremost researchers in HIV/AIDS, Montaner will surely be regarded as a Canadian hero by future generations. His recent nomination to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame bears witness to his legacy.
Now a renowned expert in the field of HIV/AIDS and a celebrity in medical circles, Montaner feels his connection to the field of medicine was present from birth. Both of his parents were prominent academics, his father a pulmonary expert and his mother a botanist.
“There was never a discussion that we [all seven siblings] would pursue some sort of academic careers, but all seven of us did – seven out of seven – a pretty good rounding average,” Montaner said.
Montaner knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue medicine, and would accompany his father on door-to-door visits and Saturday rounds at the hospital. Although not an exceptional student throughout grade school and even his undergraduate degree, Montaner had a clear goal: medical school.
Leo Soh
The Ubyssey
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