Benjamin Heibun Kwok

Benjamin Heibun Kwok is a Professor in Medical Sciences at Université de Montréal, affiliated with the IRIC (Institut de recherche en immunologie et en cancérologie) and the Oncopole. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of cytoskeleton dynamics and cell division, particularly the role of kinesin motor proteins in mitotic spindle assembly. He employs interdisciplinary approaches combining biochemistry, cell biology, and high-resolution microscopy to study spindle formation in vertebrate cell cultures and in vitro systems.

Education: PhD in Biochemistry from Yale University (2002), postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University (2002-2008). Research emphasizes cancer therapy through targeting mitotic spindle components, including development of small-molecule tools for biomedical research and chemotherapy.

• Grants: Over 10 funded projects from NIH, Canadian institutes, and Quebec funding bodies (2009–present)
• Led projects on kinesin-13 modulation, microtubule dynamics, and DNA repair

Supervised 2 graduate students (PhD and MSc theses completed in 2021/2023). Active in lab establishment at IRIC since 2010, focusing on translating molecular discoveries into clinical applications.