Dr Victor Dahdaleh
Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute receives £5 million boost
A love of education and helping others has prompted a Canadian-born entrepreneur to donate a further £5 million to support the University of Cambridge institute which already bears his name.
Published on:
7 April 2025
I hope my gift will spur more people to support world-class medical research at the University of Cambridge.
Dr Victor Dahdaleh
As a young boy, Victor Phillip Michael Dahdaleh was taught to value education and to look after others. His father Phillip used to pay university fees for the children of employees working at the family firm.
This commitment to education and others has led Dr Dahdaleh to give a further £5 million to support the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, taking his support for the Institute to £21 million over the past two years.
“In my experience, any money that supports good causes encourages others to also support good causes. I hope my gift will spur more people to support world-class medical research at the University of Cambridge.”
The new donation will significantly enhance the Institute's capacity to conduct groundbreaking research to improve cardiovascular and lung health. The gift comprises £4 million towards a newly created endowment fund at the Institute. Additionally, Dr Dahdaleh has pledged £1 million to establish an endowed PhD studentship at Trinity College for a student working within the Institute.
Dr Dahdaleh said: “I am thrilled to further support this world-class Institute. My initial support for Cambridge focused on research into mesothelioma and then COVID during the pandemic. Since then, I have wanted to provide more support, given how many people each day suffer from heart and lung diseases. I would encourage others to also support the Institute’s work so that we can continue to transform care for all people facing these diseases.”
A key focus of the endowment fund is to create opportunities for PhD students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Principal Investigators, and Professors, further cementing Cambridge's position at the forefront of cardiovascular and lung research.
Professor Charlotte Summers, the Institute’s Director, expressed her gratitude: "Dr Dahdaleh's extraordinary generosity will have a transformative impact on our ability to tackle the global challenges of cardiovascular and lung diseases. This endowment ensures we can continue to pursue innovative research and attract the brightest minds in the field.”
Dr Victor Dahdaleh, known for his commitment to education, healthcare, and social and economic development, stated: "I am honoured to support the vital work of the Institute. By investing in research and nurturing the next generation of scientists, we can improve cardiovascular and lung health worldwide. “The endowed PhD studentship at Trinity College will be crucial in fostering emerging talent and contributing to the Institute's research ecosystem. This studentship will ensure that outstanding candidates have the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies and contribute to cutting-edge medical research.”
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, commented: "We are immensely grateful for Dr Dahdaleh's vision in establishing this studentship. It will undoubtedly attract exceptional talent and contribute to the advancement of heart and lung research at Cambridge."
The Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, housing over 450 staff from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals, and Royal Papworth Hospital, opened in 2023 and is uniquely positioned to address complex cardiovascular and lung health challenges. This generous gift will further enhance its capacity to develop preventive strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutic solutions with global impact.
Contact
For further information contact:
Mary Jane Boland
Director of Development — Cambridge University Health Partners