Dr. Gideon Koren is a distinguished Israeli-Canadian clinical pharmacologist and pediatric toxicologist renowned for his pioneering contributions to understanding drug safety during pregnancy and fetal development. Currently serving as Professor at Ariel University's Faculty of Medicine in Israel, he holds the position of Director of Motherisk Israel and Senior Scientist at the Maccabi-Kahn Institute of Research and Innovation. After completing his medical education in Israel, Dr. Koren pursued advanced research in Toronto where he became internationally recognized for his expertise in pediatric toxicology and membrane biology. His career trajectory includes founding The Hospital for Sick Children's Motherisk Program in Toronto in 1985, which he directed until 2015, establishing himself as a leading authority in pharmacotherapy during pregnancy and lactation.
Dr. Koren pioneered the field of fetal pharmacology through his establishment of the Motherisk Program, creating the world's only research group dedicated to studying brain development in children exposed to drugs in utero. His comprehensive research methodology involved rigorous testing of IQ, language, attention, and behavior in children exposed to various medications during pregnancy, fundamentally advancing our understanding of drug-fetus interactions. With an extensive publication record of approximately 1,750 peer-reviewed papers and 15 medical books, Dr. Koren's work has directly influenced global clinical practice guidelines for medication use during pregnancy. His research has led to significant changes in how healthcare providers counsel pregnant women worldwide regarding medication safety, establishing evidence-based protocols that have improved maternal and child health outcomes across multiple generations.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Koren has profoundly shaped the field through his leadership as founder of the FACE (Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise) Network and as founding editor of the Journal of FAS International. He has trained over 80 graduate students and physicians from more than 30 countries, establishing what became the largest program of its kind globally for education in pharmacology and drug safety. His role as Senior Scientist of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Obstetric-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit Network of the US National Institutes of Health underscores his international influence. Currently focusing his efforts through Ariel University, Dr. Koren continues to advance research on pharmacotherapy during pregnancy and lactation, with his ongoing work promising to further refine clinical guidelines and improve outcomes for mothers and developing fetuses worldwide.
