Congratulations Dr. Ralf Schirrmacher
1 December 2025
The Department of Oncology proudly congratulates Dr. Ralf Schirrmacher on receiving the 2026 Alfred Bader Award, a national distinction recognizing excellence in organic chemistry research in Canada.
In 2006, Jurkschat and Schirrmacher introduced silicon–fluorine-18 radiochemistry and identified the highly stable silicon-fluoride-acceptor (SiFA), enabling efficient radiofluorination of complex molecules previously difficult to label. This innovation challenged long-held assumptions about isotopic exchange chemistry and became a valuable platform for PET tracer development. After more than 15 years of refinement, SiFA-based radiotracers reached clinical practice, including the FDA-approved 18F-Flotufolastat (Posluma®) and 18F-SiTATE, now used in thousands of patients across Europe. SiFA’s major advantage lies in the simplicity it brings to both labeling and purification, approaching the convenience of technetium-based radiopharmaceuticals. Its success reflects close collaboration between Canadian and European basic scientists and nuclear medicine clinicians.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Schirrmacher for this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.
Frank Wuest, PhD / Dr. rer. nat. habil.
Professor and Chair, Department of Oncology
The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences