Essays

Recent publications

Harry Benjamin and the birth of transgender medicine,” in Canadian Medical Association Journal, December 11, 2023, 195 (48) E1665-E1667.

JJR Macleod Reconsidered,” guest blog post at UTPJ Blog, 31 October 2023.

The Reminiscences of a One-Hundred-and-One-Year-Old Man,” guest blog post at UNCPress, 29 September 2023.

“Macleod Reconsidered,” Introduction to “J.J.R. Macleod, Reconsidered: Insulin and Beyond,” Canadian Journal of Health History 40, 2 (September, 2023), co-edited by Alison Li, Christopher J. Rutty, and James R. Wright.

With Patrick Walsh, “Remembering Insulin, et al.” History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 64, 1 (Jan 2022): 104-113. 

Caroline Sophia Brown.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography XVI (1931-40).

“Insulin’s Centenary: Complexity and Collaboration.” The Lancet 398, 10313 (2021): 1796-1797.

Foreword to The Discovery of Insulin: Special Centenary Edition by Michael Bliss, University of Toronto Press, 2021.
– Nominated for a Heritage Toronto Award 2022 in the Book category

“Alison Li’s foreword offers tremendous insight into the writing and impact of The Discovery of Insulin – incredibly valuable and a pleasure to read!”

SHELLEY MCKELLAR, HANNAH CHAIR IN THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE, WESTERN UNIVERSITY

“Rethinking the ‘discovery’ of insulin.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 193, 42 (2021): e1636-31637.

 “Success Has Many Parents: J. B. Collip’s Role in the Discovery of Insulin.” Defining Moments Canada website, 13 April 2021.