Good afternoon, I am Dr. Greg German Cofounder of Phage Canada, Physician and Professor of Bacteriophage Therapy at the University of Toronto
Parviz was a phage in many ways.
Phages are bacterial viruses specific to bacteria and Phage therapy is when we harness this potential to treat troubling, sticky, and deadly infections. Phages target bad bacteria and go onto produce between 60 to 300 more phages right at the site of the infection. Parviz would have been the 300. Parviz had a pulse on where to do the greatest good, where to grow the best fruit and be exponential in his outreach.
From Dr. Hany Anany (Agriculture and Agri Food Canada), here today with 5 of his colleagues. He offers: Your light, your generosity, and your spirit… Parviz had a way of making everyone around him feel seen, valued, and inspired. His deep knowledge, humility, and warmth touched so many lives, mine perhaps most deeply. Your legacy will continue in every step I take an in every student and project trouched by your influence.
Phages out evolve bacteria, Parviz was able to out-evolve with the times and finding about his interest in Chess he was able to outthink, outcare, and overcome challenges and typically three moves ahead. He would also do this with kindness and naturally disarming approach…
Also attending Dr. Andrew Kropinski with Ms. Peggy Pritchard offer: Ceaselessly curious, kind, generous, amusing, and inspiring friend. Gracious host with old world charm. Discrete and respected philanthropy… leading to major work in microbiome and a precision tool to modify the microbiome phage therapy the original prebiotic
Connector and a catalyst. Like phages Parviz could connect those that are most hungry for science with those that are most hungry for action. Phages have a way of getting deep into prosthetic joints where no antibiotics can go and be persistent. Parviz would provide that spark countless times. He was the first member of the non-profit Phage Canada that Dr. Alex Hynes and I co-founded and he made a large donation to help jump start our group into the 70 members including 10 public members it is today.
Phages are timeless, they are the original retro-gadget. Prior to antibiotics 90 years ago major companies like Ely Lily and Abbott, Pasteur institute were producing phages to treat infections.
He wanted us to all "Grow" and develop. I would learn so much about Anar or what is called Pomegranate in English, a symbol of fertility, blessings, and characterized by anti-ageing. This was something Parviz cherished and he offered he carried seeds with him on his travels. Anar is popularly known for Anti-aging and I would say it the Anar worked for him in mind, body, and spirit.
My research group recently submitted our ground-breaking Canadian urinary tract infection clinical trial for publication and if accepted I would look to have this offered in his honour and memory.
We have lost one of our most dedicated Champions of so much goodness and knowledge, but his memory, his legacy, his smile, lives on in us and in who we touch.
Phage on Parviz.
