PhD
Contact Information
My research is based on development of new anticancer agents, investigating compounds that improve the efficacy and selectivity of currently used chemotherapy agents as well as designing or screening novel agents against new drug targets.
Much of my work has focused on the use of antisense technology, using oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA (siRNA) to selectively decrease levels of proteins that either modulate drug activity or are targets for inhibition by a drug. It is hoped that these studies will lead to clinical use of this technology to improve patient outcome.
I am investigating the potential activity of natural product compounds (nutraceuticals) in preventing initiation and progression of cancer. I also conduct drug screening assays and investigate drug mechanisms on a contract basis.
Publications:
I obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University in 1979, majoring in Biochemistry. In 1985, I obtained a Ph. D. in Biochemistry under the supervision of Dr. Carol Cass at the University of Alberta. I then undertook a 4-year post-doctoral fellowship with Dr. Yung-chi (Tommy) Cheng at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In 1989 I was hired as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Western Ontario, and obtained a cross-appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (which has since become Physiology and Pharmacology).
Since then I have had several different appointments in the university, and taught courses on anti-infective and anti-cancer agents to students of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and undergraduate science. In 1996 I joined the laboratory of Dr. James Koropatnick in the London Regional Cancer Centre. I currently still work in this laboratory as a Research Associate, and have appointments as Adjunct Professor in Oncology and Associate Scientist in the Lawson Health Research Institute.
I have coached hockey, soccer and baseball, and currently work on the annual tournament of the London Devilettes Hockey Association. I am a member of the Terry Fox Run organizing committee of London. I enjoy biking, guitar-playing , photography, hockey, and tasting craft beer. I am married (still) and have 2 grown children.
Dr. James Koropatnick
Dr. Mark Vincent
Dr. David Rodenhiser
Dr. Bekim Sadikovic
