Upton D. Allen is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. He is Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Dr. Allen is a Senior Associate Scientist in the Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children. His primary appointment is with the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children. He is cross-appointed as a professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
Dr. Allen received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. He received pediatric training at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. He obtained further research training leading to a degree in Clinical Epidemiology (MSc) from McMaster University.
Dr. Allen is a past director of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Fellow of the Society. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, UK. He is a past Chair of the Infectious Diseases Specialty Training Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Past awards include the Clinical Science Established Investigator Award from the American Society of Transplantation. In 2018, he was awarded the Order of Ontario, which is the highest honor awarded by the province of Ontario, Canada. In 2021, he was honored with the appointment as Commander, Order of Distinction, Jamaica. Dr. Allen is a recipient of the African Canadian Achievement Award as well as the Harry Jarome Award.
In addition to being a general infectious diseases specialist, he is actively involved in clinical and research activities relating to immunocompromised patients, notably those who have undergone organ and stem cell transplantation as well as cancer therapies. He has a major research interest in Epstein- Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder as well as an interest in respiratory syncytial virus infections. Dr. Allen has had many academic and professional accomplishments. He has had numerous invited lectures internationally, visiting professorships, scientific publications, several book chapters, scientific abstracts and several peer-reviewed research grants. Dr. Allen is chair of the Ontario Public Health Emergencies Science Advisory Committee, Ontario, Canada.