Department of Pathology ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - University of ...

8. Research
8a. Message from the Director of Research
Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti
Introduction: The Department of Pathology has continued to maintain and grow its research
programs and we have major inroads in the plans to enhance our research capability, productivity
and impact. To that effect, the Department has been able to build an enhanced faculty
complement (both basic and clinical), a significantly larger and more comprehensive graduate
program and a small but very productive research faculty. During our recent departmental retreat
the Department made a commitment to foster growth in research.
Research Programs: Research in the Department of Pathology includes investigator-driven
research, initiated by the core members of the Department, and collaborative research with
members of other departments. There is no signature program of the Schulich School of Medicine
and Dentistry where the members of the Department of Pathology are not only involved, but
are also key players. Listed below are few specific research programs where the Department of
Pathology is playing a major role.
Transplant research: Research in transplantation (clinical and experimental) is one of the
area of focus and has demonstrated strong growth during the last year. The backbone of the
xenotransplantation program continues to count on the expertise of people such as Drs. Bertha
Garcia, Hao Wang (cross appointee, Surgery), David White (cross appointee, Surgery), Weiping
Min (cross appointee, Surgery), Zhu-Xu Zhang (cross appointee, Medicine). The core laboratory
of MOTP’s experimental arm resides in Pathology under the Directorship of Dr. Garcia. These
researchers are funded from CIHR, HSFO, MOTP, NIH, and other national and international
organizations. This research has been successful in producing a large number of publications in
high impact journals.
Cancer research: The Department of Pathology has a strong presence in cancer research, both
in the experimental and clinical area. The key researchers in this area are Drs. Ann Chambers
(cross-appointee, Oncology), Alan Tuck, Chandan Chakraborty (Breast Cancer), Madeleine
Moussa and Jose Gomez (Prostate Cancer), Kamilia Rizkalla (hematologic malignancies),
David Driman and Jeremy Parfitt (GI and hepatobiliary), Mariamma Joseph (Skin and pulmonary
cancers), Meg Mclachlin, Michele Weir (Gynecological cancers), Bret Wehrli, Keith Kwan, Lee
Cyn Ang , Rob Hammond (Neurological), Tom Daley and Mark Darling (Oral cancers). The
researchers in this area have received their funding from CIHR, CBCF, ORF and other national
and international organizations. These investigators have created a wealth of publications.
Several pathologists are also heavily involved in clinical trials.
Vascular biology research: Vascular biology researchers have focused their research in chronic
diabetic complications (Dr. Subrabata Chakrabarti), cardiovascular (Dr. Tianqing Peng ) and stem
cell research (Dr. Zia Khan) This research has continued to receive funding from CIHR, CDA and
HSFO. Within this research program a close interaction has been established with Dr. Chandan
Chakraborty (also CIHR funded) with respect to signal transduction. The recent recruitment of
Dr. Zia Khan to our department has further expanded the scope of vascular biology research.
Dr. Khan’s research is focused on endothelial progenitor (stem cells) and their role in diabetic
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