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News & Events

News Archive

Pathology Welcoming Reception & Awards dinner

Posted 2019 September 17

Welcome all new faculty and residents.
Congratulations to all the award recipients, as follows:

Graduate Program

  • The Bruce Elliott Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship - Dr. Chris Nicol
  • The Bruce and Janet Elliott Graduate Award in Transdisciplinary Cancer Research - Chelsea Jackson
  • The Robert Kisilevsky Fund for Research Education - Christina Ferrone and Matt Cormier
  • The Robert Kisilevsky Research Seminar Awards - Eli Ghorbanpour, Christina Ferrone and Taha Azad

    AP Residency Program

  • Dr. Paul Manley Award for an Excellent Investigative Record By a Pathology Resident - Dr. Lina Chen
  • Dr. RSA Prentice Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Pathology Resident & For Improving the Quality of Resident Education - Dr. Christine Orr
  • Dr. RSA Prentice Award for Excellence in Teaching - Dr. John Rossiter.

    awards2019sept


  • APPOINTMENT OF TRICIA COTTRELL, MD/PhD

    Posted 2019 September 10

    I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tricia Cottrell as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    Tricia joins us from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she completed an MD, a PhD in rheumatology, residency training in Anatomic Pathology, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in immuno-oncology. Tricia completed her undergraduate training and a year as a Research Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis.

    Dr. Cottrell's primary role will be as a clinician scientist based at the Queen's Cancer Research Institute with a focus on pathologic evaluation of tumour immune responses in clinical trials patients. Tricia will also be involved in clinical anatomical pathology with areas of interest including lung cancer and genitourinary pathology.

    Dr. Cottrell has been appointed as an Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) Clinician Scientist, as a Senior Investigator for Translational Research in the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), and will serve as the Deputy Director, CCTG Tumour Tissue and Data Repository (TTDR).

    Dr. Cottrell's office and laboratory are located in the Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Botterell Hall level 3.
    We welcome Tricia and wish her all the best in her academic and clinical endeavours here at Queen's University and the KHSC.

    Sandy Boag, MD
    Department Head

    cottrell2019sept


    Dr. Peter Greer's laboratory

    Posted 2019 September 03

    Emerging research in Dr. Peter Greer's laboratory shows that calpain proteases promote cancer metastasis, which is responsible for most cancer deaths. With funds from a new five year CIHR grant we are exploring calpains as novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. This exciting research involves a range of molecular genetic approaches (including CRISPR gene targeting) as well as preclinical models of breast and ovarian cancer.

    Students interested in pursuing a MSc or PhD in cancer research are encouraged to contact Dr. Greer at greerp (at) queensu.ca

    greer2019sep


    APPOINTMENT OF ANNA PANCHENKO, PROFESSOR, PhD
    TIER I, CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR IN COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOPHYSICS

    Posted 2019 August 19

    The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anna Panchenko to a tenured position at Queen's University.

    Dr. Panchenko has assumed a leadership role in the future development of computational biophysics and bioinformatics at Queen's. She has cross-appointments in the School of Computing and the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. Students interested in pursuing graduate training with Dr. Panchenko should contact her at anna.panchenko (at) queensu.ca

    Dr. Panchenko obtained a BSc Magna cum laude in 1989 and a PhD in 1993 from Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia. She was a Visiting Fellow for one year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign followed by three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow. She was then recruited to the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the NIH where she held the position of Head of a Computational Biology and Biophysics Group until recruited to Queen's.

    We welcome Anna and wish her all the best in her academic career at Queen's University.

    panchenko2019aug


    APPOINTMENT OF AMANDA XU, MD/MSc

    Posted 2019 July 29

    The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Amanda Xu to the positions of Assistant Professor at Queen's University and Attending Staff Pathologist at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre with a focus in Anatomic Pathology and Hematopathology.

    Dr. Xu obtained a BSc in Physiology in 2008 from the University of Toronto. She then obtained her MD from Queen's University in 2012 and went on to complete her residency in Anatomic Pathology at Queen's University. She followed this with a one-year Hematopathology Fellowship at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

    We welcome Amanda and wish her all the best in her academic and clinical endeavours here at the KHSC and Queen's University.

    xu2019july


    APPOINTMENT OF KEVIN REN, MD/MSc

    Posted 2019 July 29

    The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kevin Ren to the positions of Assistant Professor at Queen's University and Attending Staff Pathologist at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre with a focus in Dermatopathology and Renal Pathology.

    Dr. Ren obtained a BSc in Physiology in 2008 from the University of Toronto. He then obtained his MD from Queen's University in 2013 and went on to complete his residency in Anatomic Pathology at Queen's University. He followed this with a one-year Renal Pathology Fellowship at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

    We welcome Kevin and wish him all the best in his academic and clinical endeavours here at the KHSC and Queen's University.

    ren2019july


    CIHR National Student Research Poster Competition

    Posted 2019 June 25

    Congratulations to Taha Azad (PhD Candidate - Yang lab, right) for winning the Silver Medal and Elham Ghorbanpour (PhD Candidate - Lillicrap Lab, left) for winning the Honourable Mention award from the CIHR National Student Research Poster Competition in the 30th Annual CSHRF (Canadian Student Health Research Forum).

    A couple of other students from Queen's also got Honourable Mentioning awards. It's a good year for Queen's. About 17 students representing Queen's attended this event.
    Normally, around 150 graduate students are nominated by universities across Canada to participate this event.

    cihr2019june


    Ivraym Barsoum

    Posted 2019 June 24

    Best wishes Ivraym (center) & congratulations on completing the AP Residency Program!

    barsoum2019june


    Pathology & Molecular Medicine Research Day 2019 June 13th

    Posted 2019 June 24

    researchday20190613


    research day research day research day research day

    Robert Kisilevsky

    Posted 2019 June 07


    KISILEVSKY, Robert - December 19, 1937 - June 5, 2019

    Professor Emeritus, of the Departments of Pathology and Biochemistry at Queen's University, Kingston.

    Husband; father, Zaida, brother, uncle, and scientist.

    Died peacefully in his sleep, at home. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years Barbara, his children David (Sara Haynes), Sandy (Andy Krull), Natasha (Peter Reid), grandchildren Nathaniel & Claudia Krull and Emily & James Kisilevsky, sisters Zipporah (Alan Yedid) and Laurie (Allan Bultz), nephews Gabriel (Jing), Joseph, Elijah, and Ariel (Koo), and grandnieces Bessia and Olivia.

    A private family service will be held on Sunday, June 9th, 2019 at 3:30 p.m., Kearney Funeral Services, 450 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver B.C.

    Bob was born and raised in Montreal. He completed his undergraduate (1958) and medical degrees (1962) at McGill University. He interned at the Jewish General Hospital and then spent a year in Philadelphia as a Pathology resident before entering the combined Pathology residency/Phd in Biochemistry Program at the University of Pittsburgh.

    After completing the program (1967), he spent a year fellowship in Experimental Pathology at University College London, UK. Subsequently, he returned to Canada as an Assistant Professor in both the Departments of Pathology and Biochemistry, Queen's University in Kingston, ON, focusing on research. Bob progressed through the ranks from Assistant to Full Professor to Head of the Department of Pathology. Driven by his intellect and curiosity, and continuous funding by the MRC of Canada for 40 years, he established an internationally recognized research program and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

    He published over 300 papers, book chapters and abstracts in the areas of protein synthesis, amyloidosis, cholesterol metabolism and malaria, and founded two biotechnology companies, Neurochem & AtheroChem.

    Following his retirement from research and medical practice, his goal was to stay alive and productive for many years, to continue to collaborate and publish scientific material, to see grandchildren, and to carve some walking sticks and use them before he went.
    He did all of those things, as well as ride his bicycle daily, create beautiful decorative wood carvings, and play a formidable game of chess.

    Donations in his memory may be made to The Robert Kisilevsky Research Education Fund, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
    More Information here

    kisilevsky2019june

    Health Sciences Outstanding Thesis Award

    Posted 2019 May 31


    Congratulations to Dr. Hellen Janse van Rensburg for winning the Health Sciences Outstanding Thesis Award.

    Ellen has completed the PhD portion of the MD-PhD program and is now engaged in the third year of the MD program.

    Ellen's thesis entitled "Identification and characterization of transcriptional targets of TAZ in human breast cancer" describes only part of her stellar research accomplishments and contributions to Dr. Xiaolong Yang's program, which have resulted in 16 publications to date with another four in the works.

    We're proud of you Ellen, and wish you all the best!

    rensburg2019may

    Riders and researchers fight to cure prostate cancer

    Posted 2019 May 27 - FROM KHSCNow


    Researchers to receive a $20,000 grant to further their research into novel therapies for prostate cancer

    Dr. Berman, Director of Queen's Cancer Research Institute (on right) stands with Ride for Dad supporters on May 9 at the kick-off to this year's ride, happening May 25.

    The fifteenth annual Kingston-Quinte TELUS Ride for Dad fundraiser, the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation's (PCFF) signature event, will be held in Kingston on Saturday, May 25. The 200-kilometre route will take hundreds of motorcycle riders-for-a-cause on a scenic tour of the countryside.

    Since it was established in 2004, the Kingston-Quinte chapter has raised nearly $1,450,000 with more than $700,000 benefiting the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation's (UHKF) research partners as they investigate better treatment options, and diagnostic tools that may, one day, lead to a cure for prostate cancer.

    At this year's kick-off and cheque presentation, UHKF is pleased to announce that Dr. Katrina Gee, and co-investigator Dr. Andrew Craig - Associate Professors, Queen's University School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences - will receive a $20,000 grant to further their research into novel therapies for prostate cancer.

    berman2019may

    Queen's names first Distinguished University Professors

    Posted 2019 May 14


    Queen's University recently awarded its highest research-related honour to nine faculty members internationally recognized for contributions to their respective fields of study. Each recipient was named a Distinguished University Professor for exhibiting an outstanding and sustained research record, teaching excellence, and significant and lasting contributions to Queen's, Canada, and the world.

    The inaugural group of Distinguished University Professors includes:

  • Susan P. C. Cole, Distinguished University Professor, Queen's Cancer Research Institute

    The work being done here at Queen's in many different academic disciplines is contributing to our understanding of the world and the overall global body of knowledge in many fields," says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor."To celebrate this level of world-class excellence in research and teaching, it is my pleasure to designate nine of our most accomplished faculty members as Distinguished University Professors."

    cole2019may

  • Queen's Art of Research photo contest

    Posted 2019 April 22


    Congratulations to Dr. Dalila Villalobos won the Invisible Discoveries category with a picture of a normal prostate gland in the Queen's Art of Research photo contest.

    Invisible Discoveries - Love under the Microscope - Dalila Villalobos, Postgraduate Medical Education, Anatomical Pathology (MD, Resident), Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

    Description: As pathologists in training, we are constantly reminded that both human cellular responses and the most deadly medical conditions can be unexpectedly beautiful under the microscope. We are trained to be detail oriented and to understand disease in all its forms because abnormalities will only present to the eye that knows what to look for. This photo captures a normal prostatic gland with its characteristic double layer and irregular branching. The moment we diagnose a benign condition in a patient that is anxiously awaiting for results is always rewarding. But, if, on top of that, we see heart-shape glands, it is inspiration.

    villalobos2019apr

    2019 Corbett Award

    Posted 2019 April 11


    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Christine Orr is the recipient of this year's William Corbett Award.

    It is a testament of Christine's diagnostic excellence and academic achievement during her studies within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    The W.E.N Corbett award was originally established when W.E.N (William) Corbett retired from the Department of Pathology in June 1996.

    The purpose of this award is to provide a prize to a resident who shows diagnostic excellence and academic achievement during their studies within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    corbettaward2019april

    Winners of the 2018-2019 SEAMO Innovation Fund announced

    Posted 2019 April 03
    From https://www.seamo.ca/news/stories/winners-2018-2019-seamo-innovation-fund-announced


    Congratulations to the 2018-2019 SEAMO Innovation Fund award winners! These 9 unique projects aim to transform healthcare delivery in Ontario in several domains

    Dr. Neil Renwick - Preparing MicroRNA Profiling and Analysis for Use in Cancer Clinical Trial Research

    The Innovation Fund was created by the 2008 Alternative Funding Plan (AFP) Agreement between the academic physicians, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). It provides short-term seed funding to support innovative projects and to enable academic physicians to develop programs sufficiently to qualify for additional support and evaluate novel strategies to transform health care delivery in Ontario.

    This year SEAMO received 35 applications totalling $2.9 million in funding requests. SEAMO receives $650 thousand annually to support these applications and assist the winning projects in jump starting their research.

    renwick2019april

    Reconnecting with friends from KGH/Queens

    Posted 20198 February 28


    Thank you Charles for being the great connector and the glue that keeps all our friends together Love from Hedy Boutros (1994)

    On Tuesday, Changgao Yang (1996) showed me around his comprehensive anatomic & molecular pathology laboratory which he established from scratch. It has grown tremendously since I last visited 10 years ago: http://sterlingpath.com He hasn't taken a vacation during the past 16 years while pursuing his passion.

    Changgao and I were given a tour by Beverly Wang (1994) of the UC Irvine Medical Center campus. During the past 4 years, her selfless dedication and contribution as chair of the Department of Anatomic Department have made a significant impact: https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=6143

    Mai Gu (1994) is enjoying equivalent success within the lab and beyond: http://www.pathcarefna.com/about.html

    We finished off the evening with a delicious dinner at a popular local Korean BBQ restaurant. Life is very good ! Wonderful to enjoy it with dear friends. We are all grateful for the solid foundation our mentors at Queen's provided us during our formative years. Charles Yee (1994)

    Left-Right Beverly, Charles, Mai, Changao

    residents2019feb

    OICR supports cancer drug discovery in Ontario with new funding for four promising early-stage projects

    Posted 2018 February 26


    TORONTO (February 21, 2019) - The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) today announced four Early Accelerator projects from across Ontario will each receive $100,000 for one year as part of OICR's Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline (CTIP) initiative. The funding will be used to validate cancer targets and support experiments to screen molecules against these targets, finding those that can bind to them successfully and have potential to be developed into medicines.

    CTIP is an OICR initiative that supports the local translation of Ontario discoveries into therapies with the potential for improving the lives of cancer patients. This round of funding will add to CTIP's existing pipeline of promising molecules in development, attracting partnerships and investment to the province that are necessary for further clinical development and testing.

    "These projects are great examples of the innovative thinking that is driving the success of Ontario's cancer drug discovery sector," says Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi, President and Scientific Director of OICR. "We are proud to support these teams, based at nine research centres across the province, and we are excited to help them progress their research towards better helping cancer patients."

    Selection of guanine quadruplex binders for the RET promoter, towards novel therapeutics for RET-receptor associated cancers Anne Petitjean, PI, Queen's University Lois Mulligan, PI, Queen's University

    About OICR We are a collaborative, not-for-profit research institute funded by the Government of Ontario. We conduct and enable high-impact translational cancer research to accelerate the development of discoveries for patients around the world while maximizing the economic benefit of this research for the people of Ontario. For more information visit www.oicr.on.ca.

    mulligan2019feb

    Unraveling mysteries in the blood

    Posted 2018 February 21


    From https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/ unraveling-mysteries-blood

    Queen's University researcher Paula James has revealed women who are carriers of hemophilia A, an inherited bleeding disorder, experience abnormal bleeding in about 30 per cent of cases. Dr. James is working to unravel the mystery as to why this abnormal bleeding, including nosebleeds, heavy periods, and bleeding following childbirth, occurs.

    To define abnormal bleeding, Dr. James used a bleeding score where higher numbers represent more intense bleeding.
    "It's long been assumed that women who carry this gene don't have bleeding symptoms but we now know that isn't true," says Dr James, who also works as a clinician-scientist at Kingston Health Sciences Research Institute. "Some patients have low levels of clotting Factor FVIII in their blood, and for those that don't, there must be other contributing factors. It's a challenging problem because it has led to their bleeding symptoms being dismissed and not treated properly."

    Her team has discovered that women who are carriers of hemophilia A respond differently to the stresses that cause bleeding - even those who have normal levels of Factor VIII in their blood.
    "Normally when we're injured or cut or stressed in other ways, a number of the elements that help our blood clot go up. However, we thought that it might not work that way in these women," says Dr. James. "So what other things could be happening within someone's body that would make them at risk for bleeding?"

    To find out, Dr. James and her group compared levels of Factor VIII circulating in the blood levels of 17 women who are carriers of hemophilia A with those of seven normal control patients. The volunteers' blood was tested before and after being treated with Desmopressin, a drug that causes an immediate increase in clotting factor levels that mimics the way the body responds to being cut or injured.

    The researchers were looking to see whether the women's response to the drug was related to how much Factor VIII was already in their blood. "We wondered whether a person's response was only dependent on where they were starting from using a baseline," James says. "That turned out not to be the case."

    The study was published in Blood Advances.

    james2019feb

    Gaels women's curling team claims first OUA banner since 1994

    Posted 2018 February 20


    Congratulations to Coach Scott Davey and the Queen's Gaels, who were crowned the 2019 OUA Women's Curling Champions on Monday as the five-day championships came to a close at the KW Granite Club.

    In an exciting final day that saw both gold medal games come down to the final end, the Gaels brought the OUA banner back to Queen's for the first time since 1994.

    "We're really excited to be able to bring the banner home for Queen's," says Gaels skip Mary Fay. "It's really nice to go to a school and you're really proud to be a part of something so to be able to bring that home for them is really exciting."

    In the women's game, like they had done for the majority of the week, the Gaels were ruthless in their efficiency. Controlling the game with wide-open play, the Fay foursome scored two in the second and fourth ends to lead 4-1.

    Laurentian managed to pull themselves back into the contest with singles in both the fifth and sixth ends but Queen's responded with two more in the seventh to give them a three-point cushion coming home.

    The Gaels then ran Laurentian out of rocks to secure the 6-4 victory.

    odavey2019feb

    CaRMS comes to Queen's

    Posted 2018 January 15


    The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is a national, independent, not-for-profit, fee-for-service organization that provides a fair, objective and transparent application and matching service for medical training throughout Canada.

    Residency Applicants will be visiting the Department through the week of January 21-25, 2019.

    carms2019jan

    Congratulations to Dr. Victoria Hoskin

    Posted 2018 December 12


    Congratulations to Dr. Victoria Hoskin (center, red jacket) who was one of 10 trainees from 116 abstracts selected to give oral presentations at the Terry Fox Research Institute Ontario Node Research Symposium in Toronto on Dec 10, 2018. Victoria's presentation "Targeting the cytoskeleton protein ezrin sensitizes metastatic breast cancer cells to chemotherapy treatment" described her Ontario Medical Pathology Research Network funded project supervised by Drs. Sonal Varma and Peter Greer.

    hoskin2018dec

    Bruce and Janet Elliott Graduate Award in Transdisciplinary Cancer Research

    Posted 2018 November 01


    Congratulations to Christina Ferrone, a MSc Candidate in the lab of Dr. Michael Rauh, on being awarded the first Bruce and Janet Elliott Graduate Award in Transdisciplinary Cancer Research.

    ferrone2018nov

    Nursing Science Society - 2017-2018 Reddick Award

    Posted 2018 October 17


    On behalf of the Nursing Science Society, we would like to issue a congratulation to you on being selected as the recipient of the 2017-2018 Reddick Award. The Reddick Award is presented for Excellence in Nursing Educations and acknowledges outstanding teaching. You have been selected by the 2021 class of the four-year stream for this award. We would like to thank you for your commitment to excellence in teaching and the impact you continue to make in the lives of Undergraduate Students.

    This award will be presented at the 2018 Faculty of Health Sciences reception. Further details about this event will follow in coordination with the School of Nursing.

    Again, the Nursing Science Society would like to sincerely congratulate you on this success and commend you for the invaluable difference your teaching has in student's education.

    sheth2018oct

    Dr. Maliha Khara - the Morrison H. Finlayson Award

    Posted 2018 October 17


    Congratulations to Dr. Maliha Khara for receiving the Morrison H. Finlayson Award for best basic sciences/research paper by a trainee at the 58th annual Canadian Association of Neuropathologists meeting in Halifax on October 6th, 2018.

    canp2018

    P&MM Welcoming Reception & Awards

    Posted 2018 Sept 28


    The department held a welcoming reception & awards at the Merchant Tap House this week and congratulations go out to the following:

  • Aisha Rekab who received Best Seminar by a 1st year student
  • Dr. Christine Orr received the Dr. RSA Prentice Award For Excellence in Teaching by a Pathology Resident & For Improving the Quality of Resident Education
  • Dr. Ivraym Barsoum received the Dr. Paul Manley Award For an Excellent Investigative Record By a Pathology Resident
  • Chelsea Jackson received Best Seminar by a 2nd year student
  • Ellen van Rensburg, PhD received Best Seminar by a PhD student
  • Dr. David Lillicrap received the Bruce Elliott Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship
  • Dr. Tim Childs received the Dr. RSA Prentice Award for Excellence in Teaching

    awards201809

  • Licenced and Accredited Molecular Diagnostic Facility

    Posted 2018 Sept 12


    The Queen's University National Inherited Bleeding Disorder Genotyping Laboratory becomes a licenced and accredited molecular diagnostic facility

    The National Inherited Bleeding Disorder Genotyping Lab, which has been operating within the Department of Pathology since 2000, has recently become licenced by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), and accredited by the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) to ISO15189 to provide molecular diagnostics for patients with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and von Willebrand disease.

    These recognitions will improve the access to molecular testing and quality of care for patients with inherited bleeding disorders across Canada.

    The lab is directed by Dr. David Lillicrap, and Co-Directed by Dr. Paula James. Sample testing is performed by Shawn Tinlin and Gina Jones.

    Many thanks to everyone who was involved in this process!

    nibdgl201809

    Appointment of Associate Head, Research,

    Posted 2018 Sept 11


    I am pleased to announce that effective immediately Dr. David Lillicrap will assume the position of Associate Head, Research, for the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's University.

    Through the creation of this new position the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen's University recognizes our Department's exceptionally successful research program, our ongoing growth and the value Dr. Lillicrap will provide in an increasingly challenging research environment. David will continue to Chair the Departmental Research Committee and provide strategic planning leadership but will now also assume oversight of research related departmental finances, infrastructure, grant applications and faculty development.

    Dr. David Lillicrap is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, holds a CRC Tier I Chair in Molecular Hemostasis and is a Career Investigator in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. David is an internationally recognized expert on the molecular basis of common bleeding disorders who runs a highly active research program within the Richardson Laboratory of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    Please join me in welcoming David in his new role
    Alexander H. Boag, MD, FRCPC

    lillicrap2018sept

    Ontario Trillium Scholarship

    Posted 2018 August 14

    The Department welcomes Elham Ghorbanpour, the latest recipient of a prestigious Ontario Trillium Scholarship that will enable her to undertake her doctoral studies at Queen's.

    Elham completed her undergraduate studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the prestigious University of Tehran, on a full undergraduate scholarship. She subsequently transferred to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where she graduated with distinction with an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry in 2017. The subject of her Master's thesis was the dissection of transcriptional networks underlying the molecular pathology of inherited glaucoma.

    At Queen's, Elham will be undertaking her PhD studies with David Lillicrap's group. Her research will focus on an evaluation of both proximal and distant regulatory elements influencing expression of the von Willebrand factor gene.

    We wish Elham every success in her new environment and look forward to seeing the results of her future studies.

    lillicrap2018aug

    ISTH SSC 2018 Meeting in Dublin, Ireland

    Posted 2018 July 24


    Soundarya Selvam Present Top-Rated Abstract at ISTH SSC 2018 Meeting in Dublin, Ireland

    PhD candidate Soundarya Selvam received the top rated abstract in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) session and gave both an oral presentation and poster presentation titled "Patients with aortic stenosis have von Willebrand factor abnormalities and aberrant angiogenesis in BOEC".

    She also received a Young Investigator award.

    Soundarya is supervised by Dr. Paula James.

    james2018jul

    ISTH SSC 2018 Meeting in Dublin, Ireland

    Posted 2018 July 24


    Orla Rawley and Alison Michels Present Top-Rated Posters at ISTH SSC 2018 Meeting in Dublin, Ireland

    Congratulations to Orla Rawley (a postdoctoral fellow) and Alison Michels (an MD/PhD student) from the Clinical and Molecular Hemostasis Research Group, who were each presented Top Rated Posters at the ISTH SSC 2018 meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

    In addition, Orla Rawley was awarded the Milwaukee SSC President's Award, a Young Investigator's Award, and a Queen's University Postdoctoral Travel award for her abstract titled "Clearance of Mouse VWF Propeptide Is Mediated by Stabilin-2 and Is Regulated by N-linked Glycan Expression."

    Alison Michels also received a Young Investigator's Award for her abstract "von Willebrand Factor Interactions with Platelets and Leukocytes is Critical for Obesity-mediated Venous Thrombosis"

    lillicrap2018jul

    Banting Fellows and Vanier Scholars to attend the 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting

    Posted 2018 July 03


    From: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/50989.html

    Four outstanding CIHR supported researchers will be among the 400 aspiring young researchers from around the world who will spend a week with over 40 Nobel Laureates at the 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany from June 24 - June 29, 2018. Participants will be able to exchange ideas, discuss projects and build international networks around this year's topics which will be dedicated to the field of chemistry. For young scientists standing at the beginning of their careers, it is a valuable opportunity to meet these undisputed role models and mentors, to seek their advice, to exchange thoughts and views, and to discuss current developments in science and beyond.

    Our congratulations go to the four recipients nominated by CIHR who were accepted by the Lindau scientific review panel to attend this prestigious event: Mr. MohammadTaha MohammadiAzad (Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar), Mr. Michael Laffin (Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar), Dr. Brett Trost (Banting Postdoctoral Fellow) and Mr. Mark Wade (Banting Postdoctoral Fellow).

    MohammadTaha MohammadiAzad

    "For me this meeting is an enormous opportunity to take another step towards achieving my goals! I have a big dream to help people who suffer from cancer and to make this dream come true this meeting could help me a lot. These scientists didn't win the Nobel Prize overnight! They spent their entire life on it. I know they had down moments as well, but they never gave up! Sometimes I feel that my dream to cure cancer sounds too far away from reality but I keep trying and dreaming and hoping! For me, this meeting means a lot more than just visiting these great scientists as well as young researcher around the world. In fact, it starts a new chapter in my life, which is helping me to keep up on trying harder even if I fail hundred times! I have many questions to ask them about the journey that they have gone through so far, the uphills and the downhills, what made them more insistent in achieving their goals and how they coped with all the challenges they had faced!"

    taha2018july

    Mentoring Indigenous youth

    Posted 2018 June 12


    From: https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/mentoring-indigenous-youth

    First Nations students in grades 10 and 11 have deepened their knowledge of science and health care with the help of some Queen's graduate students.

    The high-school students are participants in a pilot program aimed at giving them a leg up as they prepare for post-secondary studies. They met with their mentors from February through to the end of May.

    "The vision of this program is to provide these students with a science-based education opportunity that leaves them feeling inspired, confident, and supported," says Lisa Doxtator, Aboriginal Community Outreach Liaison at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre and one of the program's co-ordinators.

    "Our hope is that the students will consider furthering their education in the sciences and will be better established for postsecondary success through this program," adds Bruce Elliott, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine who is also one of the program's co-ordinators. "The Four Directions Centre provides an ideal supportive home for our program."

    Working alongside Dr. Elliott and Ms. Doxtator are assistant co-ordinators, PhD student Chelsea Jackson and MSc graduate Sarah Nersesian; and graduate student mentors Nicole Morse, Natasha Vitkin, and Matteo Zago-Schmitt of the Queen's Collaborative Cancer Grad Program and the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    mentor2018june

    Royal College Exam

    Posted 2018 June 08


    Congratulations to our senior residents: Nikoo Parvinnejad, Amanda Xu and Kevin Ren have passed the Anatomical Pathology Royal College Exam!!!

    royal2018june

    Combined BSc/MSc - Pathology & Molecular Medicine

    Posted 2018 May 16


    The Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine is very excited to launch a new initiative which offers a combined program of a BSc/MSc (Pathology & Molecular Medicine). This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honors program (Biomedical Discovery and Cancer streams of the Life Sciences program, Biochemistry and Biology programs) to take up to 2 courses at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing. Research begun in the 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 terms.

    Admission to the combined program is a two-step process.

    Step 1: Students will have the option to apply for admission to the combined program (permission to take graduate level courses) in the winter term of the 3rd year, in parallel with the process for admittance to the Honors year and the thesis research project. All applications will then be reviewed by the Pathology & Molecular Medicines Graduate Admissions Committee. Students admitted into this program must have an overall minimum A- average in the previous four completed academic terms of their undergraduate program.
    If accepted into the combined program, in Year 4 of the BSc (Honors) program students will be permitted to take up to two 3.0 graduate level courses for a total of 3 or 6 credits towards the 12 credits required for the MSc degree. It is the student's responsibility to gain admission to these graduate courses following acceptance into the program. These courses will be counted as electives or science options towards completion of the degree requirements in the BSc (Hons) program. Only 1 of these courses may be a combined undergraduate/graduate (400/800) level course. The second (and all subsequent) graduate courses must be graduate only (800 and/or 900 level).

    Step 2: For admission to the MSc program in Pathology & Molecular Medicine with advanced standing, students will be expected to complete the standard SGS application process, have an overall A- average in the previous 2 years of their undergraduate program, and have demonstrated significant research productivity in the 4th year thesis project.
    Applications:

    Students should apply in writing via email to the Graduate Assistant Mark Andrews (mark.andrews (at) queensu.ca) and at that time should provide a copy of their transcript, a brief description (1 Paragraph) of their research project, the name of their Project Supervisor, a letter of support from that Project Supervisory, and identify the graduate level courses they hope to enroll in during their 4th year. 2018 May 16

    bscmsc2018may

    William Corbett Award for Residents

    Posted 2018 April 27


    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Amanda Xu is the recipient of this year's "William Corbett Award for diagnostic excellence and academic achievement during the recipient's studies within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine".

    It is a testament of Amanda's diagnostic excellence and academic achievement during her studies within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    Congratulations Amanda!

    xu2018apr

    USCAP 2018 Vancouver BC

    Posted 2018 March 21


    Our residents and faculty at the 2018 USCAP meeting in Vancouver.

    Front Row L-R: Drs. Maliha Khara, Lina Chen, Kevin Ren, Amanda Xu

    Back Row L-R: Drs. Christine Orr, Sandy Boag, David Hurlbut, Kevin Song

    uscap2018march

    CCTG has received matching infrastructure funding from The Ontario Research Fund

    Posted 2018 March 15


    Supporting the purchase of a histology slide scanner

    From: https://www.ctg.queensu.ca/cctg-has-received-matching-infrastructure-funding-ontario-research-fund

    Queen's University played host to a research funding announcement with Dr. John Fisher, Vice-Principal (Research), Queen's University and Ms. Sophie Kiwala, MPP for Kingston and the Islands. Along with a number of awards, it was announced that CCTG has received matching infrastructure funding from The Ontario Research Fund to support the purchase of a histology slide scanner.

    The Ontario Research Fund - Research Infrastructure, Small Infrastructure program helps cover the costs of acquiring or renewing research equipment, for example; specimens, scientific collections, computer software or information databases.

    The investment in the scanner will enable CCTG to share digitized slides from tumour specimens with expert pathologists across Canada, enlisting their expertise in diagnosis and classification of tumours as well as quantify new biomarkers that could lead to improved treatments in three new trials. It will also enhance CCTG's precision medicine program by supporting computer-assisted analysis of digital images as well as CCTG's biobank capabilities to support future research.

    In August, The Canadian Foundation for Innovation, John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) announced a funding award of $197,065 to allow CCTG to acquire a state-of-the-art digital histology slide scanner. Both the Ontario Government and the Canada Foundation for Innovation provide in-kind funding and this event acknowledges the other half of the funding award.

    qlmp2018march

    ORF - Small Infrastructure Fund recipients

    Posted 2018 March 15


    Congratulations to Dr. Lois Mulligan on a grant from ORF - Small Infrastructure Fund for $124,040.

    From: http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/provincial-funding-strengthen-queen-s-research-teams

    The Ontario government announces funding to support new Queen's research teams and laboratory operations.

    A total of 17 Queen's researchers are receiving a combined $2,942,914 in funding from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Research Fund - Research Infrastructure programs and Early Researcher Awards - efforts designed to bolster the capacity of research teams and laboratories.

    Additionally, 14 researchers were awarded support through the ORF Small Infrastructure Fund which helps cover the cost of acquiring or renewing research equipment, specimens, computer software, and other operational technology for laboratories.

    "Innovative research is essential for future economic growth and I am thrilled with the investments being made in projects in Kingston and across Ontario," says Sophie Kiwala, MPP for Kingston and the Islands. "The world-class research being conducted at Queen's University is an immense source of pride for myself and our region and I look forward to seeing the results of this funding."

    mulligan2018march

    Fireflies light the way

    Posted 2018 March 13


    Queen's researcher develops biosensor that uses firefly enzyme to monitor cancer cell activity.

    From: http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/fireflies-light-way

    Queen's University researcher Xiaolong Yang and his research team have developed a light emission-based biosensor that uses firefly luciferase (the enzyme that allows fireflies to light up) to monitor cancer cell activity and help find new ways to fight the spread of cancer.

    Research has previously shown that changes in Hippo signaling proteins may be responsible for cancer development but there is currently no system to quantify how these proteins change in cancers. This breakthrough discovery could improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.

    Xiaolong Yang (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) has developed a new biosensor that monitors cancer cell activity. "Our labs have recently shown that aberrant changes in a group of proteins called the Hippo signaling pathway may be involved in cancer development," says Dr. Yang. "In this study, by using the luciferase enzyme extracted from fireflies as a reporter, we have created a new biosensor tool that allows researchers to measure the activity of the Hippo signaling pathway protein in cancers in real-time."

    Dr. Yang adds that studies show that the Hippo signaling proteins are critical for cancer angiogenesis, a process by which tumours make blood vessels during their growth and spread.

    "Almost all people have family members or friends who are diagnosed with or die of cancer," says Dr. Yang. "Our new tool allows us to detect cancerous cells' behavior in a new way and will help future development of therapeutic drugs for preventing the most devastating and drug-resistant cancers from growing or spreading."

    More than 90 per cent of cancer deaths are due to spreading of cancer cells to other organs of the body (metastasis) at late stages of cancer progression. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for treating metastatic cancers. Dr. Yang's novel research findings provide new evidence that targeting the Hippo signaling protein is very effective in cutting the nutrient supply of cancer cells through inhibiting blood vessel formation. This discovery may provide new hope for treating metastatic cancer patients for successful cancer treatment in the future.

    Moreover, since defects in angiogenesis also play important roles in many other diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, the new discovery may also provide a new way of fighting these diseases that affect the lives of millions of people around the world.

    Working with Dr. Yang on the research were PhD candidates Taha Azad, Helena J. Janse van Rensburg, and Ben Yeung, and research associate Yawei Hao. The research was published in Nature Communications.

    yang2018march

    Research Mentorship Program In partnership with Queen's Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre

    Posted 2018 March 13


    We are pleased to announce the launch of our Research Mentorship program, funded by a Synapse Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research!

    Our aim is to provide a unique experience introducing and encouraging students keenly interested in science to explore the scientific method. The program is designed to share the knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm of graduate students with youth who may not have opportunities in their own communities.

    Co-ordinators of the program are Dr. Bruce Elliott (Emeritus Professor, Dept. Pathology and Molecular Medicine) and Lisa Doxtator (Aboriginal Community Outreach Liaison). Assistant co-ordinators are Chelsea Jackson and Sarah Nersesian (MSc. Candidates, Pathology and Molecular Medicine & Biomedical and Molecular Sciences). Three graduate student mentors, Nicole Morse, Natasha Vitkin, and Matteo Zago-Schmitt have been trained, and are meeting weekly with their mentees at the Four Directions Centre during the school year.

    We have recruited three First Nations students in grades 10-11 through the Limestone District School Board. Project choices include ideas in a general science stream (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics), as well as a specific interest stream in the health sciences (e.g. cancer and computers).

    The Mentorship Program has been approved by the Queen's Offices of Environmental Health & Safety and Risk Assessment & Insurance. Administrative support has been provided by the Four Directions Centre, and the Limestone District School Board.

    research2018march

    Elina Cook wins a 2018 PSI Research Trainee Fellowship

    Posted 2018 February 13


    Congratulations to Elina Cook on winning a 2018 PSI Research Trainee Fellowship through the Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation.

    This fellowship provides highly qualified Medical Doctors (MD) or MD-PhD/MSc students in Ontario with clinically applicable research training opportunities and support.

    The $26,600 award will support Elina's research collaborations and professional activities.

    cook2018feb

    Article published in Cancer Research

    Posted 2018 January 18


    Congratulations to Ellen van Rensburg and co-authors on their exciting Cancer Research publication that reveals a novel link between the Hippo signaling pathway and the important immune checkpoint player and therapeutic target PD-L1.

    Their discovery that the Hippo pathway component TAZ transcriptional regulator is able to promote expression of PD-L1 provides new insight into TAZ oncogenic functions, through enabling cancer cells to escape immune cell killing by up-regulating PD-L1. This finding provides a new therapeutic strategy to suppresses PD-L1 expression and thereby promoting immune cell killing of cancer cells by inhibiting TAZ.

    "The Hippo pathway component TAZ promotes immune evasion in human cancer through PD-L1" Ellen van Rensburg, Taha Azad, Min Ling, Yawei Hao, Brooke Snetsinger, Prem Kahanal, Lori Minassian, Charles Graham, Michael Rauh and Xiaolong Yang. Cancer Research (published online Jan 17th, 2018).

    This paper is available online at http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/0008-5472.CAN-17-3139

    rensburg201801

    Elina Cook Wins Multiple Awards at the American Society of Hematology Meeting

    Posted 2018 January 03


    Congratulations to Elina Cook. Her abstract was chosen for oral presentation at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting in Atlanta on Dec. 10. Moreover, her abstract will be among a select few featured at the travelling Highlights of ASH meetings in 2018.

    In addition to winning CIHR and CCS travel awards to attend and present at ASH, Elina shared the Canadian Hematology Society (CHS) PhD and Post Doctoral Award at the CHS reception at ASH. This is a remarkable showing and we are extremely proud of how she represented Queen's and DPMM!

    cook201801

    Elizabeth Lightbody Presents at STC

    Posted 2017 December 07


    Elizabeth Lightbody was selected to give a platform presentation for her work on "Knockout of mammary epithelial-specific PPARG increases the metastatic potential of HER2+ breast cancer" at The Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC) 49th Annual Symposium held last week Nov 29th-Dec 1st in Montreal.

    lightbody2017dec

    Dr. Sandip SenGupta at the Innovators Exchange symposia

    Posted 2017 November 13


    Dr. Sandip SenGupta was invited to speak in Taiwan and in Vietnam (November 3 and 4) at the Innovators Exchange symposia, sponsored by Abbott Diagnostics, to a group of southeast Asian hospital and private laboratory managers and directors.
    The theme of the conferences was "Discover the hidden potential of your laboratory's data". Dr. SenGupta's lecture was entitled: "Digital Transformation of a Healthcare Enterprise Begins with a Service-Focused, Operationally Efficient Laboratory".
    He discussed the importance of creating and demonstrating value through the clinical laboratory for our healthcare ecosystem and presented the results of how the recent implementation of the AlinIQ Business Intelligence System in the Core Laboratory at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre has helped to improve performance of our laboratory, including better turnaround times for test results and opportunities for growth through repatriation of referred out tests.

    sengupta2017

    Banting-Vanier Lecture Series

    Posted 2017 October 12


    Banting-Vanier Lecture Series
    Date: Saturday, October 14, 2017 10:00 am - 11:30am
    Location: School of Medicine, 15 Arch Street, Room 032A

    Hear some of Queen's finest share their discoveries and passion for research! The inaugural Banting-Vanier Lecture Series will feature six 10-minute lectures by three post-docs and three graduate students who have been awarded Canada's top scholarships. Light refreshments will be served after the presentations.

    Game of clones - A new public health matter of mutated blood cells and aging. Elina Cook, Vanier Scholar
    After attending the University of Toronto to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology and a Master's degree in Medical Biophysics, Elina Cook is now an MD-PhD student in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University. She has received numerous scholarships and awards, including the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's Award (CIHR CGSM). Under the supervision of Dr. Michael Rauh, she is now researching the effects of dominating mutations in the blood that are linked with blood cancers and other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease. Having been born and raised mostly in Finland, she enjoys Finnish cooking and cross-country skiing. She is wildly passionate about organizing scientific conferences and meetings for all ages. In the future, Elina plans to pursue training in oncology and to continue researching cancer to improve outcomes for patients.

    How Fireflies could be the key to fighting cancer? Taha Azad, Vanier Scholar
    This year Taha's application was ranked 1st out of 190 applications considered by the CIHR Vanier CGS selection committee this year. His PhD research project in Dr. Xiaolong Yang's lab explores novel connections between the Hippo pathway and members of the protein kinase superfamily in breast and lung cancer. Taha is from Tehran, Iran. He received his undergraduate degree from Tehran University, the best and highest ranked university in Iran. At the end of his B.Sc. study in Tehran, he won the Gold medal in National Biology Olympiad among the Iranian universities which was the most important competition for the B.Sc. Also, during his undergraduate study he wrote several biology books for high school students and taught more than 3000 hours in more than ten different cities in Iran. He has been working on cancer research areas for 5 years and has published more than 15 articles in national and international journals.

    redcarpet2017oct

    The Ninth Nathan Kaufman Visiting Lecturer - Dr. Janis Taube

    Posted 2017 September 28


    Tuesday 2017 October 17th
    4:00-5:00pm
    Richardson Lab Amphitheatre

    The Ninth Nathan Kaufman Visiting Lecturer

    Janis Taube, MD, MSc - Director of Dermatology Division and Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

    "Emerging Immunologic Biomarkers"

    kaufman2017oct

    Bruce Elliott Excellence in Teaching Award 2017

    Posted 2017 September 29


    Congratulations to Dr. Lois Mulligan on receiving the 2017 Bruce Elliott Excellence in Teaching Award!

    elliott2017

    Dr. RSA Prentice Award "For Excellence in Teaching" 2017

    Posted 2017 September 29


    Congratulations to Dr. Iain Young on receiving the 2017 Dr. RSA Prentice Award "For Excellence in Teaching" from our residents/elective students and Dr. Sandy Boag.

    prentice2017

    Cancer Research Society Research Grant - Dr. Berman

    Posted 2017 September 08


    Dr. David Berman received a 2 year operating grant for $120,000 from the Cancer Research Society for his project: Proteomic biomarkers of urothelial stroma controlling cancer invasion and progression.

    At its last meeting, the Board of Directors of the Cancer Research Society proceeded with the awarding of 70 new operating grants under its Operating Grants Funding Program and announced a cancer research commitment of $17.0 million.

    We are pleased to inform you that based on the recommendation of the members of our peer review committees, the funding of your research project entitled "Proteomic biomarkers of urothelial stroma controlling cancer invasion and progression" has been approved and was selected for our partnership with Bladder Cancer Canada. Both organizations will be co-funding your Cancer Research Society/ Bladder Cancer Canada Operating Grant.

    berman2017sept

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research Grant

    Posted 2017 August 29


    Dr. David Lillicrap has received a seven year Foundation Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health for "The intertwined biology, pathobiology and translational implications of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor" in the amount of $3,552094.

    The two most common inherited bleeding disorders, von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia A (HA), are the result of deficiencies and/or dysfunction of two critical proteins in the human blood clotting system - von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII). These two proteins circulate together in the blood and regulate key stages in the development of a normal blood clot.

    We will continue studies that have been ongoing in our group for the past 25 years aimed at understanding basic and translational aspects of VWF and FVIII. Although most of the proposed studies employ molecular and animal model strategies, there are obvious connections to clinical care that have the potential to enhance the quality of life of VWD and HA patients.

    The research program encompasses three interrelated themes exploring the normal and pathologic biology of VWF and FVIII. First, we will conduct studies to better understand the genetic basis, structure and function of VWF. We will use genetic approaches to determine the basis for the 35% of type 1 VWD patients in whom mutations in the VWF gene have not been identified, and will investigate whether the VWF propeptide has an independent clotting function. The second area of focus will evaluate risk factors for the development of an adverse immune response to FVIII therapy in HA, a complication of treatment in ~30% of these patients. We will determine the influence of VWF on FVIII immunity, and will explore the role of the host gut microbiome as a risk factor for FVIII antibody development.

    cihr2017aug

    Molecular Hemostasis Research Group Activities


    Posted 2017 July 24


    The Department's Molecular Hemostasis Research Group has had a busy and productive start to the summer. At the recent (July 7-13th) biennial Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in Berlin, attended by 10,000 basic and clinical scientists, the Queen's group delivered 13 oral presentations and 2 posters.

    Notably, Dr. Laura Swystun presented 3 of the 5 oral abstracts assigned to a session on von Willebrand factor (VWF) clearance mechanisms. In addition, 4 of the trainee presenters - Alison Michels, Jesse Lai, Julie Tarrant and Orla Rawley - were recipients of ISTH Young Investigator Awards for their abstract submissions relating to VWF pathobiology and the factor VIII immune response.

    Lastly, coincident with the Congress, an editorial written by David Lillicrap appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, addressing the promise of a novel bispecific antibody therapy for hemophilia.

    lillicrap2017july

    Promotions in the Department


    Posted 2017 July 04


    Effective 2017 July 1st, Drs. Harriet Feilotter, Dr. John Rossiter and Dr. Xiaolong Yang have been promoted to Professor.

    Congratulations to one and all!

    promotions2017july

    CSMB-Emma Smith


    Posted 2017 June 30


    Congratulations to Emma Smith on being awarded the Traffic-Wiley Publishing Poster Prize at the 60th Annual Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences Meeting:
    Celebrating Canadian Molecular Biosciences - from organelles to systems biology. Emma's research in Dr. Susan Cole's lab is using a structure-function mutagenesis approach to study the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1).

    emmasmith2017june

    CAP Resident prizes


    Posted 2017 June 16


    68th Annual Scientific Meeting June 10-13, 2017 Charlottetown PEI

    Congratulations to Amanda, Kevin and Ivraym as they all won awards at the CAP meeting in PEI this year. Wow, what an accomplishment!!!! Way to go.

    Dr. Kevin Ren (left) won the Andrew Herzenberg Award for best presentation by a resident in Nephropathology or Transplant pathology. https://www.cap-acp.org/awards.php?ID=12

    Dr. Amanda Xu (center) won the Hematological Pathology Award for best presentation by a resident in hematopathology. https://www.cap-acp.org/awards.php?ID=8

    Dr. Ivraym Barsoumwon (right) the Donald W. Penner Award for the Best Poster Presentation https://www.cap-acp.org/awards.php?ID=6

    CIHR Poster Prize


    Posted 2017 June 09


    Congratulations to Taha Azad (PhD candidate in Dr. Yang's Lab) for his Gold Medal prize atthe 2017 CIHR National Student Research Poster Competition in the 30th Annual CSHRF (Canadian Student Health Research Forum) held during June 6-9 in Winnipeg.

    Taha along with 9 other students represented each department at Queen's and around 150 top 5% graduate students nominated by different universities all across Canada participated this year's national competition.

    taha2017june


    Posted 2017 June 05


    Congratulations to Dr. Paula James who was awarded the Cecil Harris Award at the 2017 Canadian Hemophilia Society Rendezvous/AHCDC Annual General Meeting in Toronto May 26-27th.

    The Cecil Harris Award is given in recognition of distinguished contributions in the areas of hemophilia related research and the advancement of care for patients with hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.

    Congratulations Dr. James!

    james2017june

    Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships


    Posted 2017 June 01


    Congratulations to Elina Cook and Taha Azad on winning prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships.

    Remarkably, their applications were ranked 11th and 1st out of 190 applications considered by the CIHR Vanier CGS selection committee this year.

    Taha's PhD research project in Dr. Xiaolong Yang's lab explores novel connections between the Hippo pathway and members of the protein kinase superfamily.

    Elina is one of our exceptional MD/PhD students whose research in Dr. Michael Rauh's lab explores the relationship between gene mutations and inflammation in the elderly and development of hematological malignancy.

    The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine is proud to count Elina and Taha among our most gifted students. Well done!

    vanier2017june

    Queen's Research Opportunities Fund (QROF)


    Posted 2017 May 31


    Queen's University will be funding the research of 20 faculty members following their successful applications to the Queen's Research Opportunities Fund (QROF). Launched in 2015, QROF represents a strategic internal investment in areas of institutional research strength that provides researchers and scholars with the opportunity to accelerate their programs and research goals.

    Research Leaders Fund:
    Renwick, Neil - Pathology and Molecular Medicine - Accelerating RNA-guided diagnostics through accurate RNA detection in neuroendocrine tumor liquid samples and cell lines - $50,000

    Post-Doctoral Fellow Fund:
    Mulligan, Lois - Moodley, Serisha - Cancer Biology & Genetics - Evaluating RET-inhibitors in lung cancer growth and metastasis - $45,000

    renwick2017may

    Let's Talk Cancer May 10th

    Posted 2017 May 10


    Let's Talk Cancer at Queen's University is a FREE one-day event for students in Grades 9 through 12 hosted by Let's Talk Science at Queen's University and the Canadian Cancer Society's Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT).

    The theme of this year's symposium is Cancer Prevention. This year's event will be more interactive than ever, with a keynote address from a researcher at the Queen's Cancer Research Institute, a tour of the Anatomy Museum, and interactive activities discussing cancer prevention led by graduate students. Students will be given the opportunity to engage with post-secondary students and faculty while exploring career options, developing skills, and gaining a glimpse into real-world problem solving.

    Biosciences Complex, Queen's University Main Campus
    116 Barrie St. Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6

    For More Information If you have any questions about this event, please contact Catherine Crawford-Brown.

    What is Let's Talk Cancer?
    Let's Talk Cancer is a series of full-day symposia for secondary students that explores the use of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an integral part of cancer research. The goal of the event is to inspire the next generation of cancer researchers by showing them how STEM sciences play a role in cancer research and show students the impact of cancer research in their communities. The day includes seminars from research professionals along with a variety of activities designed to involve students with a hands-on understanding of how STEM contributes to advancements in cancer research. Last year, approximately 250 students in grades 7-12 from Kingston and the surrounding area were in attendance.

    letstalkcancer2017may

    Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS-M) 2017


    Posted 2017 May 04


    Congratulations to Sarah Maritan and Nicole Morse whose outstanding academic accomplishments have been rewarded with Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS-M). Sarah is in the first year of our Master's program with Dr. Lois Mulligan, where she is studying the RET oncogene and its involvement in colorectal cancer.

    Nicole is beginning her first year in Dr. David Berman's laboratory, where she will be exploring the use of an exciting new mass spectrometry based biomarker approach to more accurately diagnose prostate cancer.

    The Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine is delighted to have recruited these exceptional students, and look forward to seeing their accomplishments in the coming years. Congratulations to a wonderful start to your research careers.

    maritanmorse2017may

    JTH Editor's Award 2017


    Posted 2017 May 04


    Alison Michels awarded the JTH Editor's Award 2017.

    Congratulations to Alison Michels (MD/PhD candidate and CIHR recipient in the Clinical and Molecular Hemostasis Research Group) on being awarded the JTH Editor's Award for one of the best published articles of 2016 by investigators younger than 35 years of age. The award will cover her travel to the ISTH 2017 Congress in Berlin.

    This work will also be featured in the Journal of Visualized Experiments at the end of the month.

    michels2017may

    P&MM Research Day - 2017 June 01


    Posted 2017 May 01


    Dear All, Our pathology research half-day at the University Club is set for the afternoon of Thursday 2017 June 1. The goals of this meeting are to cross-pollinate departmental research projects and to give postdocs, graduate students, and residents a CV-building opportunity to showcase their research.

    To make this day a success, please email Lis Andersen (andersel (at) KGH.KARI.NET) re attendance and/or complete the abstract below and email to Lis before May 8. The selection committee, consisting of me and a bottle of chardonnay, will pick a few theme-related abstracts for podium presentation. The theme being "Team Science: Imperative or Pejorative?".

    Best, Neil

    researchday2017may

    Dr. SenGupta

    Posted 2017 April 12


    Dr. Sandip Sengupta, participating in expert panel discussion in Toronto on the Healthcare Ecosystem leadership forum, sponsored by Abbott Diagnostics, April 4 2017-04-05

    sengupta2017apr

    William Corbett Award 2017

    Posted 2017 March 29


    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel Li has been selected to receive this year’s William Corbett award.

    This award is for “Academic/Research Excellence in a senior resident who exemplifies high academic standards and strong diagnostic skills”.

    Dr. Chris Davidson (left) presents to Dr. Daniel Li (right).

    li2017mar

    Queen's Email updates

    Posted 2017 March 7


    On March 7th at 7am, there will be a change to how email is filtered and treated for spam before being received in Office 365 and Exchange On-Premises mailboxes. This is a non-disruptive change.

    Changes are being implemented to improve the reliability and security of Queen’s enterprise email service. Users are encouraged to learn more about what they can do to improve email security by visiting the ITS website to learn

    How to Manage Your Junk Email Folder (http://www.queensu.ca/its/microsoft-office-365/email-calendar/email-tutorials/outlook-2013/managing-your-junk-folder) and

    How To Protect Yourself From Phishing (http://www.queensu.ca/its/security/education-awareness/phishing).

    In addition autoforwarding from old, discontinued accounts at cliff.path.queensu.ca are being discontinued. Cliff.path has been around since 1992 and email accounts have existed in every major spam database in existance. Most people have moved their primary accounts over to queensu.ca and or kgh.kari.net. queensemail2017mar

    Relay for Life 2017

    Posted 2017 February 27


    On Friday March 10th, 2017 members of the Queen's Cancer Researcher Institute will be taking part in Relay for Life. Relay is a 12 hour event held from 7 p.m. on Friday March 10th to 7 a.m. on Saturday March 11th. In support of the Canadian Cancer Society, the event includes many activities throughout the night to keep you entertained and awake. Breakfast, dinner, and snacks will all be provided.

    If you are interested in joining our team, please visit http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLY_ON_?team_id=357635&pg=team&fr_id=22667 and click "Join Team". There is a $20 participant fee that covers the cost of food and provides you with a t-shirt for the night of the event.

    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

    Catherine Crawford-Brown M. Sc. Candidate Pathology and Molecular Medicine

    rfl2017feb

    The Daffodil Gala


    Posted 2017 February 16

    For more information goto kingstonriot.ca/daffodil-gala/


    On Friday, February 3rd, 2017 (the eve of World Cancer Day), the Kingston Research Information Outreach Team in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society hosted the inaugural Daffodil Gala in support of the Queen's Transdisciplinary Training Program in Cancer Research at the Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts (www.kingstonriot.ca/daffodil-gala).

    This special evening brought together more than 100 guests from the Kingston community to celebrate cancer research at Queen's, and included a reception with classical music entertainment by TRIOLA, a welcome address by Queen's Principal Daniel Woolf, talks by leading cancer researchers including Dr. Lois Mulligan (Professor, Pathology & Molecular Medicine), Dr. Janet Dancey (Director, Canadian Cancer Trials Group) & Dr. Victoria Hoskin (Post-doctoral Fellow, Pathology & Molecular Medicine), an acapella performance by All the Queen's Men, and a silent auction.

    Thanks to the many supporters and sponsors, including Unique Restoration Ltd., Grand & Toy, AstraZeneca, AMJ Campbell, and university-affiliated departments/institutions, over $20,000 was raised to train future students in cancer research at Queen's University.

    For more images please see the Kingston RIOT facebook page.

    riot2017feb

    The Daffodil Gala


    Posted 20167 January 23

    For more information goto kingstonriot.ca/daffodil-gala/


    The Kingston Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT) in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society presents the inaugural Daffodil Gala in support of Queen's Cancer Research Training. Proceeds from this gala will contribute towards sustaining the Queen's Transdisciplinary Training Program in Cancer Research.

    Time: Friday, February 3rd, 2017, preceding World Cancer Day The event begins with reception at 6:00 PM Dinner will be served at 7:30 PM

    Program:

  • Welcome address by Queen's Principal Dr. Daniel Woolf
  • Classical musical entertainment by TRIOLA during reception at 6:00 PM
  • 3-course dinner served at 7:30 PM
  • Talks by leading cancer researchers including Dr. Lois Mulligan and Dr. Janet Dancey
  • Terry Fox Rapid Fire Talks


    Posted 2016 December 13


    In this year's Terry Fox Research Institute Symposium, held at Toronto MaRS Centre, Dr. Abdi Ghaffari's abstract was selected (awarded) for the"Rapid Fire Postdoc Talk" session:

    Real time imaging of lymph node metastasis reveals ezrin as a novel target in suppressing invasion and immune evasion in cancer

    Abdi Ghaffari; Victoria Hoskin4; Gulisa Turashvili1; Sonal Varma1; Jeff Mewburn; Graeme Mullins; Peter A. Greer; Friedemann Kiefer; Andrew G. Day; Yolanda Madarnas; Sandip SenGupta, and BRUCE E. ELLIOTT*

    ghaffari2016dec

    The Bruce Elliott Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship


    Posted 2016 November 17


    Faculty, trainees, staff, friends and family celebrated the career of Dr. Bruce Elliott this Thursday November 17th. Bruce gave a fascinating seminar which took us along his journey, highlighting some of his many landmark contributions to our understanding of breast cancer metastasis.

    As one of the first recipients of a Terry Fox Foundation Scientist Award and a founding member of the Cancer Research Labs here at Queen's, Bruce started his independent research career by isolating a tumor cell line which he used in successive studies to identify and characterize several key signaling pathways that contribute to the metastatic process. This journey has recently led to his group identifying the Ezrin adaptor protein as a powerful biomarker and promising new therapeutic target.

    Bruce was also honoured as the first recipient of The Bruce Elliott Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship which was established this year by the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine to recognize outstanding faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in the teaching, supervision, and mentorship of graduate students throughout their graduate and post graduate training. Bruce's enthusiasm for research and education has inspired many of us over the years. We wish him well in his future emeritus role after his retirement this year.

    elliott2016nov

    Canadian Hematology Society (CHS) Research Abstract Award


    Posted 2016 November 08


    Congratulations to Jesse Lai (a PhD candidate in the Clinical and Molecular Hemostasis Research Group) on receiving a Canadian Hematology Society (CHS) Research Abstract Award.

    Jesse will be presenting his project titled “Differential Glycosylation Between Recombinant Factor VIII Produced in Baby Hamster Kidney and Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Confers Differences in Immunogenicity in a Humanized Hemophilia ? Mouse Model” as an oral presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego (Sunday, December 4th at 9:45am). This award will be presented that evening at the annual CHS Gala Dinner.

    lai2016nov

    Canadian Cardiovascular Congress "Pitch Your Science" Winner


    Posted 2016 October 27


    Congratulations to Alison Michels on winning "Pitch Your Science" competition at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress held in Montreal on October 22, 2016.

    Alison is an MD/PhD candidate in the Clinical and Molecular Hemostasis Research Group in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine.

    Alison is also the recipient of a Canadian Institute for Health Research Canada Graduate Scholarship Award. Alison's work focuses on understanding the role of von Willebrand factor in immunothrombosis.

    michels2016oct

    Canadian Blood Services' Lifetime Achievement Award


    Posted 2016 October 04


    David Lillicrap receives the CBS Lifetime Achievement Award from Leah Hollins, Chair of the Canadian Blood Services Board, and Dr. Graham Sher.

    From the Dean of the School of Medicine:

    I would like to thank David for this guest blog, and also offer my congratulations. David didn't tell you this in his blog but he was also an award recipient at the National Honouring our Lifeblood recognition ceremony.

    That night, David received the Canadian Blood Services' Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding engagements with the research portfolio of the Canadian blood system, and the Queen's Hemostasis Group's landmark contributions to the field of hemostasis, and to improving the lives of patients with bleeding disorders.

    Dr. Paula James and all members of the Queen's Hemostasis Group should also be congratulated for their invaluable contributions, which led to this award.

    lillicrap2016oct

    Queen's University to lead new cancer pathology research network


    From http://www.queensu.ca/ gazette/stories/new-network-announced-queens

    Posted 2016 September 29


    The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has announced $3.7 million in funding to form the Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network (OMPRN), which will be based at Queen's University and led by Queen's researcher Dr. David LeBrun (Pathology and Molecular Medicine).

    Dr. Christine Williams, Deputy Director and Vice-President of the OICR, announced the funding today in Kingston. The Network will bring together a number of institutions province-wide.

    "We, as pathologists, are facing a whole new set of challenges," says Dr. LeBrun. "There are hundreds of potential new cancer drugs available for study so we need people doing research into the relevant diagnostics. We need to draw young pathologists into the research community, provide funding for this research and work to have more pathology content integrated into medical school curriculums."

    Pathology is key to the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. An accurate diagnosis can provide better prognostic information and allow doctors to better target therapies. Pathology research can also lead to the development of new treatments that target specific cancer-driving mutations, genes and pathways, avoiding ineffective treatments with unwanted side effects. But as researchers' understanding of cancer, and its complexity, deepens, so too has the need for pathologists who can incorporate this new understanding into their daily routine, taking advantage of the latest technologies and knowledge to help patients.

    Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network

    "The Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network's objectives in helping to improve the diagnosis of cancer will accelerate the pace of discovery while fostering collaboration amongst our young pathologists," says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. "The Ontario government proudly supports this new initiative through the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research for it will help maintain the province's continued commitment to the cutting edge of research and development of better treatments for all patients."

    Click here For the complete announcement

    lebrun2016sept

    Chair of the CCO Molecular Oncology Testing Advisory Committee (MOTAC)

    Posted 2016 September 12


    I am pleased to announce that Dr. Harriet Feilotter has been named Chair of the CCO Molecular Oncology Testing Advisory Committee (MOTAC), formerly known as the Molecular Oncology Advisory Committee (MOAC).

    Dr. Feilotter, a geneticist, is the Director of the Molecular Laboratory and Service Chief of Laboratory Genetics at Kingston General Hospital. In additional to her clinical role, Dr. Feilotter has a strong background in research, including translational research, with the focus of bringing new discovers through clinical trials to point-of-care patient applications.

    Dr. Feilotter joined MOAC in 2014 and has been an active member of the committee since joining.

    Please join me in congratulating Dr. Feilotter and welcoming her to the role of Chair, Molecular Oncology Testing Advisory Committee at CCO.

    Jennifer Hart, MPA
    Manager, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program
    Clinical Programs and Quality Initiatives
    CCO | Cancer Care Ontario

    feilotter2016sept

    Eberhard F. Mammen Young Investigator Award

    Posted 2016 September 02


    Congratulations to Soundarya Selvam (PhD candidate, Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine) on winning The Eberhard F. Mammen Young Investigator Award for the best presentation by a young investigator related to the fields of thrombosis and hemostasis at the ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis) in Montpellier, France.

    Soundarya's oral presentation was entitled "Blood outgrowth endothelial cells from type 3 von Willebrand disease patients display abnormal angiogenesis."

    selvam2016sept

    Plotting a new course of cancer treatment

    Posted 2016 August 22


    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/plotting-new-course-cancer-treatment?utm_source=e-queens-gazette_staff

    Queen's researcher Harriet Feilotter to co-lead study testing efficacy of improved cancer screening technique.

    Queen's University cancer researcher Harriet Feilotter (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) is co-leading a multi-institutional study with Dr. John Bartlett of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) on the efficacy of a genetic sequencing assay that tests more than 100 genetic mutations in cancer cells.

    The test could accelerate personalized patient care by linking these mutations to new treatment options. The study will use a next generation comprehensive sequencing assay produced by partner group Thermo Fisher.

    feilotter2016aug

    Dr. Alexander H. (Sandy) Boag appointed as Head, Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University

    Posted 2016 July 04


    Dean Richard Reznick is pleased to announce that Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen's University, has appointed Dr. Alexander H. (Sandy) Boag as Head, Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences. This appointment is for a five year period beginning June 15, 2016.

    A graduate of Queen's in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Boag did a Masters of Applied Science at University of Toronto. He then attended medical school at Queen's, and a residency in Anatomic Pathology, also at Queen's. Dr. Boag then joined the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine as a faculty member in 1993. He served as Service Chief for Anatomical Pathology from 2001 to 2013. Dr. Boag is an active member Cancer Care Ontario, currently serving as pathology lead for the southeast region. He has served as Clinical Director of the Cytology lab at Kingston General Hospital since 2008.

    An active and respected member of his Department, Dr. Boag has held numerous committee roles, displaying a penchant for change and improvement. He currently sits on the Departmental Practice Plan Steering Committee, and holds the position of Vicechair of the SEAMO Finance Committee, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    Dr. Boag has been active at all levels of education and training, having served on the residency training committee in pathology, and being a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Anatomical Pathology Examination Board. A pulmonary and urologic pathologist, Dr. Boag's scholarly work has focused on prostate and lung cancer. As an active member of several research teams, Dr. Boag has been involved in multiple funded research initiatives and scholarly publications.

    We are very much looking forward to working with Dr. Boag in his new role as Head of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    boag2016july

    Spinoza lecture at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam

    Posted 2016 July 04


    Dr. Lillicrap will be visiting the University of Amsterdam's Academic Medical Center between July 5-8, 2016 as a Spinoza Chair, and will deliver a Spinoza Lecture on "Advances in hemophilia care: a paradigm for the application of molecular science".

    During his visit to Amsterdam, he will also lead a Masterclass with doctoral and post-doctoral trainees on the molecular biology of FVIII and von Willebrand factor, and will act as an external PhD examiner.

    Spinoza Lecture Poster

    lillicrap2016july

    Heart & Stroke Big Bike 2016

    Posted 2016 June 13


    The "Hot Blooded!" Team from Pathology from our Big Bike fundraiser last week!
    Thank you to everyone that participated and/or donated, we had a great day and raised ~$2500 (I still don't have the final total) for Heart & Stroke!

    bigbike2016

    Successful grant application

    Posted 2016 May 30


    Dr. Xiaolong Yang has successfully been awarded a research grant of $447,500 over 4 years from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) to investigate how a novel signaling pathway called the Hippo pathway plays important roles in breast cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.

    The research findings from this project will not only establish the Hippo pathway as a central player and "druggable" target for breast cancer and also provide preclinical data for targeting of this pathway for successful breast cancer therapy in the future.

    yang2016may

    Successful grant application

    Posted 2016 April 15th


    Congratulations to Dr. SenGupta! On behalf of Dr. John Fisher and Dr. Roger Deeley, I am pleased to inform you that your application to fund a project on "Evaluating ezrin expression in tumour infiltrating cytotoxic T cells as a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer" from the Breast Cancer Action Kingston funds in the Faculty of Health Sciences/Kingston General Hospital Internal Grant Competition was successful.

    This award is provided for one year beginning June 1, 2016 and ending May 31, 2017.

    sen2016apr


    Helena van Rensburg

    Posted 2016 April 5th


    Dr. Xiaolong Yang's MD/PhD student Helena van Rensburg won the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Award from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CHIR).

    This award supports Canadian graduate students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies.

    cihr2016apr

    AACR Scholar-in-Training Award

    Posted 2016 March 08


    AACR Scholar-in-Training Award

    Abstract title and authorship: Real-time in vivo imaging of lymph node metastasis in response to systemic cancer

    Abdi Ghaffari, Victoria Hoskin, Graeme Mullins, Yolanda Madarnas; Sandip SenGupta, Bruce Elliott.

    Our abstract was selected (based on quality and impact of research) for the AACR Scholar-in-Training Award ($1000).

    The same abstract presented at SABCS 2015 was selected for Queen's School of Graduate Studies Postdoctoral Travel Award (see attached).

    SABCS2016march

    Canada Research Chair Renewed

    From: http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/supporting-cutting-edge-research

    Posted 2016 February 09

    David Lillicrap (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) - For the past 25 years, the CIHR Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Hemostasis has been focused on the molecular basis of the common inherited bleeding disorders, hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. During the tenure of his Canada Research Chair, his group has achieved a number of research accomplishments including the establishment of a national reference laboratory for the genetic diagnosis of inherited bleeding diseases.

    The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program has stood at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development since 2000. The CRC program invests approximately $265 million per year to attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds. Canadian universities both nominate Canada Research Chairs and administer their funds.

    Queen's will receive $200,000 per year over seven years for each Tier 1 Chair and $100,000 per year over five years for each Tier 2 Chair.

    "By supporting talented researchers and excellence, the CRC program facilitates cutting-edge research and advances Canada as a world leader in discovery and innovation," says Dr. Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). "Our success in garnering three new chairs and three renewals is demonstrative of Queen's leadership in research areas that address some of the most challenging and complex problems facing the world today."

    crc2016feb

    Queen's Relay for Life

    Posted 2016 January 26

    Dear Faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, families and friends,

    The Queen's Relay For Life is taking place Friday March 11th - Saturday March 12th (7:00 pm to 7:00 am) at the Athletics & Recreation Centre (ARC). It's a 12-hour overnight event to fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society. Participants may also leave after the luminary ceremony (at midnight) if they can't stay for the entire event.

    I have created a team for individuals who would like to participate and/or donate to the team if they wish:

    http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFL_ON_even_?team_id=338749&pg=team&fr_id=20889)

    Please spread the word!

    Thank you very much,

    Mathieu Crupi, PhD candidate Pathology & Molecular Medicine

    relay2016jan

    The Canadian National Inherited Bleeding Disorder Genotyping Laboratory

    Posted 2016 January 08

    The Canadian National Inherited Bleeding Disorder Genotyping Laboratory website went live today!

    http://www.nibdgl.ca/

    Providing molecular diagnostic services to the Canadian inherited bleeding disorder community.

    The National Inherited Bleeding Disorder Genotyping Laboratory was founded in 2000 to provide molecular diagnostic testing for Hemophilia A, Hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease, and rare bleeding disorders.

    The laboratory is supported by the Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada, and by the Queen’s University Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    Tests may only be ordered by care givers from Canadian hemophilia comprehensive care centers and from clinical genetics clinics across Canada.

    The laboratory is not an accredited, licensed diagnostic facility.

    crupi2015dec

    Queen's Cancer Research Institute 2015 Retreat

    Posted 2016 January 08

    The Queen's Cancer Research Institute held its 2015 Retreat on December 10th at The Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts.

    Trainees from Pathology and Molecular Medicine featured prominently in the day's activities.

    Recent graduates Julia Krolik (MSc) and Victoria Hoskin (PhD) gave outstanding oral presentations, and Mathieu Crupi won the "Best Poster Award".

    crupi2015dec

    Graduate Student Award - Elizabeth Lightbody

    Posted 2015 December 15

    At the Society of Toxicology of Canada meeting last week, Elizabeth again won the Intertek Best MSc Student Award (Certificate and $500) for her research.

    Photo: Elizabeth Lightbody receiving the 2015 Intertek Graduate Research Award for Best MSc Poster Presentation from Dr. David Josephy (STC President) and Dr. Joanne Wan (Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consulting Rep.)

    elizabeth2015dec

    Beauty in Research

    Posted 2015 November 20

    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/finding-beauty-research

    There is a massive amount of research going on at Queen's University and a recent photo contest has helped provide a view of some of the amazing work being accomplished.

    This September, the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) launched the first Art of Research photo contest, calling on faculty, staff and students to showcase their research, scholarly and artistic work. Dozens of images were received highlighting a wide range of research from microbiology to the humanities, and locations such as a lab on campus to the Ebola outbreak zone in Africa

    Shown here is "Leaving home - A microscope slide" by Eric Y Lian, PhD student (Dr. Mulligan), Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, which was one of the runner-ups.

    el2015nov

    University Hospitals Kingston Foundation

    Posted 2015 October 28

    Dr. SenGupta was invited to speak at a recent UHKF luncheon centered around "Innovative Health Care" held on Wednesday, October 21st, 2015.

    Dr. SenGupta was one of six invitees and shared his vision on the Diagnostic Labs at KGH. His powerpoint presentation was very well received and can be viewed at: UHKF Bell Luncheon - Vision for Clinical Laboratories (2MB PDF)

    sg2015oct

    Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) CIBC Run for the Cure!

    Posted 2015 September 21

    Sunday, October 4th marks the return of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) CIBC Run for the Cure! The CBCF has made a significant impact to reduce the burden of breast cancer through research, education, awareness and advocacy initiatives with support from people like you!

    In previous years, the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine has put together a team to participate in the Run for the Cure and raise funds for this cause. Some of these funds have even come back to Queen's in the form of funding grants and fellowships. We are again assembling a team to support the CBCF in their noble initiative and to show gratitude for their constant support of our own professors, students, and Kingston community.

    cbcf2015sept

    Resuscitating the Autopsy: Why our current 7% rate of non-forensic autopsies is unacceptable (and a suggestion for a remedy) By David Hurlbut – presented at Dept. of Medicine Morbidity and Mortality Rounds

    Posted 2015 Sept 22

    Working to beat breast cancer

    Posted 2015 July 29

    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/working-beat-breast-cancer

    Four Queen's researchers receive funding from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

    The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is providing over $1 million in funding to four Queen's University researchers who are investigating different aspects of breast cancer including testing, metastasis and the immune system.

    Peter Greer (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) has received $450,000 over three years. Dr. Greer's research explores interactions between cancer cells and the immune system. He is working to coax the immune system back into action and stimulate cancer immunity against invading cancer cells using oncolytic viruses.

    cbcf2015july

    Queen's scientists receive millions in funding

    Posted 2015 July 29

    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/queen-s-scientists-receive-millions-funding?utm_source=e-queens-gazette_staff

    Tuesday July 28, 2015 By Anne Craig, Communications Officer

    Seven Queen's University researchers have been awarded $8.8 million in operating grants. Their research is studying everything from colon cancer to depression to better treatment methods for serious burns. The funding was announced today by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Open Operating Grants Program.

    Lois Mulligan (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) - $695,582, over five years - Dr. Mulligan is studying a molecule called RET that helps cells grow, move and survive in normal development. However, RET can also help cancerous tumour cells to spread. Her team is working on determining how exactly RET helps cancer spread throughout the body.

    cih2015july

    QCRI Engaging the community

    Posted 2015 July 20

    From www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/engaging-community

    Each day at the Queen's Cancer Research Institute there is amazing work being done in support of the battle against cancer.

    Yet, it seems, few people realize that one of the most remarkable cancer research institutes in the world is hosted right here at Queen's and Kingston.

    Changing that is one of the mandates for David Berman, who was appointed as the executive director of the Queen's Cancer Research Institute (QCRI) at the beginning of this year.

    "We're not the place that people first think of when they think of cancer research in Canada but maybe we can get to that point," he says.

    Looking to increase the QCRI's profile locally an open house event was held recently where members of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and donors were given a behind-the-scenes look at where the research is being done - from population studies of cancer etiology, through tumor biology and clinical trials, to outcomes and health services research.

    Attendees heard about research that is being funded by the CCS from the researchers themselves, including Chris Booth, Andrew Craig, Chris O'Callaghan, Chris Mueller, Lois Mulligan, who organized the event, and Eileen Eisenhauer, head of the Department of Oncology, and PhD candidate Mat Crupi.

    The presentations, which covered a wide array of projects and forms of research, were eye-opening and inspiring and provided insight into why QCRI is such an important piece to the cancer battle.

    "We have world-class people doing cutting-edge research," says Dr. Berman. "We have a structure that is really unusual where we integrate the different sides of cancer research particularly well in the same building and we have a really strong track record in combining clinical care with basic and clinical research."

    The QCRI utilizes a collaborative approach, Dr. Berman explains, which helps ensure that the work being done actually benefits patients.

    "There's a strong history here and tremendous abilities to make a difference in cancer research both through new treatments and paradigms like immune checkpoint inhibitors - taking the brakes off the immune system. We're exploring new possibilities with large genomic studies and big data analysis tools where we're collaborating with people in computing and other departments to make sense of these huge amounts of information that we're getting on cancer," Dr. Berman explains.

    The QCRI has built an impressive reputation with breakthrough studies and a leading clinical trials group. With that foundation, the institute has been able to attract top graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who work alongside the researchers.

    PhD candidate Tomas Baldasarre arrived at QCRI after he realized he was more interested in research, which eventually brought him to the lab of Dr. Craig. He says the complexity of cancer research is what drew him into the area of study.

    "It really is a complex field and the more you learn about it the more you realize the cure is still quite far away because it's such a complex set of problems that lead to the pathology. But to me that makes it interesting," he says. "It's a mystery, and a challenging one at that, but I like mysteries and challenges."

    qcri2015july

    Tiny molecules, big data

    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/tiny-molecules-big-data

    Posted 2015 June 29

    Molecules hold promise for detecting, treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

    Neil Renwick spent his early years working as a medical officer in the Australian outback, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. Today, those formative clinical experiences with rare and unusual diseases are guiding his explorations into the genetic mechanisms of disease, and putting him at the forefront of a rapidly emerging molecular frontier.

    A certified pathologist and clinician scientist in the Kingston General Hospital Research Institute, Dr. Renwick studies select cancer and neurodegenerative diseases in which ribonucleic acid (RNA) control is disturbed. Neil Renwick is working on new ways to treat cancer. (Photo by Bernard Clark)

    Among many functions, RNA is the intermediate molecule between DNA and protein. "It has a lot of information that makes a gene into a protein, so it is a good diagnostic and therapeutic target," he explains.

    Long viewed by researchers as "information carriers," RNA regained the spotlight in the early 2000s, following a series of discoveries showing that another class of RNA, named microRNA, plays a key role in controlling messenger RNAs and their protein products.

    Dr. Renwick's own interest in RNA was sparked at The Rockefeller University when he worked with Prof. Tom Tuschl, who discovered many microRNAs and developed silencing RNA technology. "He figured out how to switch off any gene," he says. "It works brilliantly in cell lines, now we're trying to figure out ways to use it to cure disease."

    Dr. Renwick's research involves examining at microRNAs in tissue samples from neuroendocrine tumors. A second project is looking at mutations in genes that encode RNA-binding proteins and result in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Two different diseases, but they are linked through defective RNA control.

    Identifying and studying how RNAs cause or mediate disease is not as straightforward as it sounds. "The work is technically challenging," Dr. Renwick says. "It's hard to work with RNA molecules because they break down easily. You have to know how to handle them."

    His Laboratory of Translational RNA Biology is one of a small cohort of labs in Canada that specialize in this field - but his lab is the only one using state-of-the-art tests, or assays, for detecting RNAs that he developed while training with Prof. Tuschl. "We have the most accurate techniques for doing this," he says.

    A key to his work is the capability to capture and analyse the huge volumes of data produced by RNA profiling. "There will be a big computational component to this work," he says. "We are lucky; we have pipelines to analyse the data."

    A recruit to Queen's and KGH through the Southeastern Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO), Dr. Renwick says his new job fulfils a long-time ambition to have his own lab. "I was looking all over the planet for an opportunity. The SEAMO Clinician Scientist program is the way everyone should be going. It's an innovative program."

    The Queen's-KGH environment is another positive. "It's a good opportunity for me to be around other pathologists with extensive experience. And the hospital environment is important because it enables you to see how your work impacts real life. I think Queen's and KGH are going to be very competitive going forward because they have the experience, and the patient base, and the basic science. All the components are here."

    renwick2015june

    2015 CIHR National Student Research Poster Competition Golden Award Winner

    Posted 2015 June 09

    Yulei Zhao, a PhD student in Dr. Xiaolong Yang's Lab in the Department of Pathology and Molecular medicine, won the Golden Award of the 2015 CIHR National Student Research Poster Competition, during the 28th Annual CSHRF (Canadian Student Health Research Forum) held from June 2nd-4th in Winnipeg.

    Yulei, together with another 13 students were nominated as top 5% graduate students in health sciences by Queen's University to participate this year's national CIHR Research poster competition, which included around 120 top 5% graduate students nominated by different universities all around Canada.

    The awards of the competition include CIHR Golden Award (award of excellence), Silver Award and Honourable Mentions. Ten students were chosen for CIHR Golden Award through the competition. Yulei, was the only student from Queen's University that won the Golden Award ($500, provided by CIHR) in this year's competition.

    Queen's University also had two students, both from the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, who won the Silver Awards.

    chir2015june

    Queen's School of Graduate Studies' Dissertation Boot Camp

    Posted 2015 May 25

    From http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/getting-writing-boost-dissertation-boot-camp

    Kathrin Tyryshkin got the support she needed to finish writing her dissertation at the Queen's School of Graduate Studies' Dissertation Boot Camp. The next Boot Camp is scheduled for June 8-12. (University Communications)

    Before even defending her PhD in Computer Science, Kathrin Tyryshkin had two job offers - one in industry, and one at a Queen's department (the one she ultimately took). Dr. Tyryshkin surely chose a timely field and stayed the course with diligence in publishing, conferencing and teaching, but she credits at least part of her success to Queen's School of Graduate Studies' Dissertation Boot Camp. The primary aim of the five-day Dissertation Boot Camp is for participants to write and make substantial headway on their thesis. The majority of the time is spent writing, with breaks for snacks, lunch, and structured group discussions about topics relevant to thesis writers.

    Professor John Bartlett - 8th Nathan Kaufman Visiting Lecturer

    Posted 2015 April 27

    Thursday 2015 May 21 at 4:00pm

    Richardson Lab Amphitheatre (Room 104), 88 Stuart St Kingston Ontario

    Professor John Bartlett, BSc, PhD FRCPath
    Director, Transformative Pathology, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Toronto, ON
    Honorary Professor, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Scotlan, UK

    "If breast cancers are rare diseases - how will we treat them?"

    Full program brochure

    New OICR Transformative Pathology Fellow Dr. Michael Rauh inspired to make a difference in myeloid cancers

    Posted 2015 April 02

    From: http://oicr.on.ca/news/portal-newsletter/new-oicr-transformative-pathology-fellow-dr-michael-rauh-inspired-make-difference-myeloid-cancers

    On August 4, 1980, a 22-year-old Terry Fox ran through Sudbury, Ontario as onlookers cheered him on from the sidewalks. Dr. Michael Rauh, one of OICR's newest investigators, was fortunate enough to be there. Little did he know at the time that this inspiring moment would lead him to a career in the sciences, or that one day he would even end up working in labs built with funds originating from Terry's Marathon of Hope.

    Rauh has now been working as a clinician-scientist at Queen's University for three years and became an OICR Transformative Pathology Fellow in the spring of 2014. He focuses his research on myeloid cancers, specifically myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of blood cancer he believes is currently lagging behind in attention from the research community. While he always had scientific aspirations, Rauh knows why he became a cancer researcher.

    rauh2015apr

    David Berman has been appointed Director, Queen's Cancer Research Institute

    Posted 2015 March 04

    David Berman has been appointed Director, Queen's Cancer Research Institute for an initial term from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020. Dr. Berman succeeds Dr. Roger Deeley who has held the appointment since August 1, 2003. This appointment is made by Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) on the recommendation of Richard Reznick, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

    Dr. Berman obtained his Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1983 and completed a combined MD/PhD at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1996. This was followed by a residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital where he served as Chief Resident from 1998 to 1999. Subsequently, Dr. Berman completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology and genetics/pathology at Johns Hopkins University.

    Dr. Berman joined the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University in 2001 as an instructor, and in 2002 he became an Assistant Professor of Pathology, Urology and Oncology. In 2008 he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. In 2012, Dr. Berman joined the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's University as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2014.

    Dr. Berman's involvement in graduate and medical education is extensive, and he has provided mentorship and supervision to numerous undergraduate and graduate students, resident physicians, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty. In his time at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, he served as Director of Curriculum for the Pathobiology Graduate Program and Director of the Career Development and Advising Program for Pathology Residents. In 2008, he was chosen as one of 20 'Master Mentors' to participate in an ongoing campus-wide mentorship program. At Queen's, Dr. Berman serves as Director of resident research for the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and he currently Chairs the Advanced Diagnostics Section for the Canadian Association of Pathologists.

    A clinician scientist at Kingston General Hospital and Queen's University, Dr. Berman is an expert in bladder and prostate cancer diagnosis. His research focuses on developing novel diagnostic strategies for prostate and bladder cancer. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, has led/co-led over 15 peer-reviewed grant-funded studies

    berman2015mar

    Society of Toxicology Carcinogenesis Specialty Section's highest graduate student honour

    Posted 2015 March 04

    This may seem like deja-vu, but we just found out Elizabeth Lightbody also won the Society of Toxicology Carcinogenesis Specialty Section's highest graduate student honour, the Dharm Singh Graduate Student Award.

    The award will be given to her at the CSS Reception to be held at the SOT Annual meeting 2015 in San Diego, and she will be presenting her poster during the reception.

    stccss2015mar

    Cutting-edge technology comes to Queen's

    Posted 2015 January 21

    By Anne Craig, Communications Officer
    Eight researchers at Queen's University have been awarded $1.3 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund. Leading the funding are Stephen Archer (Cardiology) and Neil Renwick (Pathology and Molecular Medicine).

    Dr. Renwick is focusing on cancer diagnostics.

    "The goal of my CFI project is to transform cancer diagnostics using novel approaches," says Dr. Renwick who received $200,000. "Through the vision of the CFI, I will purchase advanced instrumentation that will allow us to profile ribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic information, and visualize diseased tissues.

    I expect these approaches will help pathologists to diagnose and classify cancers, recommend treatments, and predict clinical outcomes at the time of specimen assessment."

    renwick2015jan

    STC INTERTEK SCIENTIFIC & REGULATORY CONSULTANCY AWARD

    Posted 2014 December 15

    At the 46th Annual Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC) Meeting held last week in Ottawa, Elizabeth Lightbody won the STC INTERTEK SCIENTIFIC & REGULATORY CONSULTANCY AWARD for best poster presentation by a MSC graduate student (Dr. Nicol Lab).

    The title of her poster was "PPARg LOSS INCREASES METASTATIC POTENTIAL OF HER2+ BREAST TUMOURS IN MAMMARY EPITHELIAL TARGETED KNOCKOUT MICE".

    Her award included a cheque for $500 and a framed certificate. The photo with two representatives from Intertek on the left, and Dr David Josephy (president STC) on the right presenting Elizabeth (middle) with her award.

    stc2014dec

    Faculty Photo 2014

    Posted 2014 November 14

    The Faculty of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's University in 2014.

    faculty2014nov

    Pathology Awards Ceremony

    Posted 2014 October 06

    Congratulations again to:

  • Dr. Gulisa Turashvili - Dr. Paul Manley Award "For an Excellent Academic or Investigative Record By a Pathology Resident"

  • Dr. Kristopher Cunningham - Dr. R.S.A. Prentice Award "For Excellence in Teaching"

  • Dr. Gulisa Turashvili - Dr. R.S.A. Prentice Award "For Excellence in Teaching by a Pathology Resident & For Improving the Quality of Resident Education"

    deptawards2014oct

  • Professor named Royal Society Fellow

    Posted 2014 September 10

    Roger Deeley (Cancer Research Institute), a pioneer who has developed approaches to cloning novel genes based solely on their level of activity. Application of these approaches led to the discovery of a multidrug resistance protein, a drug efflux pump associated with resistance to chemotherapy in cancer, and some forms of leukemia.

    deeley2014sept

    Queen's researchers benefit from moustache fundraiser

    2014 July 16 From: http://http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/queens-researchers-benefit-moustache-fundraiser

    2014-07-15 By Rosie Hales, Communications Officer

    A national cancer research collaboration that includes two members from Queen’s has been awarded the $5 million 2014 Movember Team Grant from Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). David Berman and Paul Park, both from the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, will receive funding as part of the Prostate Cancer Program Project in Rapid Development of Novel Diagnostic Markers for Early Prostate Cancer (PRONTO). PCC identified the research team as poised to make the greatest impact in prostate cancer research. The grant is awarded by PCC and funded by the Movember Foundation, a global charity that relies on the fundraising efforts of men collecting pledges as they grow moustaches every November. PRONTO aims to determine the type of treatment needed when men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Being a part of the PRONTO team provides me with a rare opportunity to participate in a large scale biomarker development project from discovery to clinical validation,” says Dr. Park. “The interactions fostered within this multi-institution, trans-disciplinary team will have a big impact in establishing my research career in this field. The funds provided by this grant will be used to support a post-doctoral trainee in my lab, and also to help establish one of the core components of this project here on Queen’s campus.” Fewer than half of diagnosed prostate cancers are harmful and men newly diagnosed with the disease face an array of options and possible side effects. “If we could better separate harmful and harmless prostate cancers, we could help patients and their doctors make clearer choices. With funding from Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada our team will develop new and better tests for this purpose,” says Dr. Berman. “For members of my laboratory and me, this is an unprecedented opportunity to work with experts in a variety of critically important areas to do something important for patients. We are extremely grateful to Movember, Prostate Cancer Canada, and all of the donors and volunteers who have made this work possible.” The team is led by John Bartlett of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and the research team is made up of 14 researchers from across Canada. Follow these links for more information on Prostate Cancer Canada and Movember Canada.

    berman2-2014july

    Cancer grading gets an upgrade

    2014 July 14 From: http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/cancer-grading-gets-upgrade

    2014-07-11 By Rosie Hales, Communications Officer

    Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men but only about half of these cancers grow rapidly enough to require treatment.

    However, determining which prostate cancers need to be treated can be tricky because it's hard to predict through biopsy which cancers will eventually become harmful. In fact, because biopsies often do not yield accurate information, between a third and half of patients initially diagnosed with harmless prostate cancers are likely to be "upgraded" to potentially harmful cancers within a year or two of diagnosis.

    A research team led by Dr. David Berman, a professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's, and Dr. Tamara Lotan from Johns Hopkins University discovered that the decline of a specific protein within a tumour could help identify the tumours requiring treatment.

    "We have shown that a tumour-suppressing protein called phosphatase and tensin homolog, or PTEN, is lost most frequently in prostate tumours that will become harmful and require treatment," says Dr. Berman. "The team from Johns Hopkins has done a terrific job of making this test more reliable and valid and applicable to prostate cancer and to other forms of cancer."

    berman-2014july

    Interim Head of the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine

    2014 June 26

    On behalf of Dean Richard Reznick, I am writing to inform you that Dr. Lois Shepherd has accepted Provost Alan Harrison’s offer of appointment as Interim Head of the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

    The Boards of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care have also approved the recommendation that Dr. Shepherd be appointed as Interim Head of Pathology & Molecular Medicine at their institutions for concurrent terms.

    Gail L. Knutson Senior Staffing Officer Faculty of Health Sciences

    interimhead2014june

    Pathology Research Day 2014

    2014 May 26

    Thank you all for your participation in yesterday’s departmental research day!

    Congratulations again to:

    Dr. Gulisa Turashvili for Best Talk/Poster Presentation by a Resident

    &

    Dr. Stacy Visser-Grieve for Best Talk/Poster Presentation by a Post Doctoral Fellow.

    researchday2014may

    New hope for breast cancer patients

    2014 May 14

    From: https://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/ new-hope-breast-cancer-patients
    By Anne Craig, Communications Officer

    Queen's University researcher Xiaolong Yang has discovered the key to understanding how breast cancer patients become resistant to chemotherapy. This discovery could lead to more successful breast cancer treatment.

    "We have identified a protein that may be critical in causing the resistance of breast cancer cells to antitubulin drugs, a group of chemotherapeutic drugs commonly used for the treatment of breast and lung cancer," explains Dr. Yang, an associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    The research group led by Dr. Yang has discovered that antitubulin drugs kill breast cancer cells by inactivating a protein called YAP, which is critical for protecting cancer cells from drug-induced cell death. However, when the YAP protein becomes immune to drug-triggered inactivation, it can protect cancer cells from dying.

    This discovery suggests that the YAP protein status can be used as a marker in predicting antitubulin drug response in patients which could lead to more effective chemotherapy.

    Dr. Yang's research team including PhD candidate Yulei Zhao, Prem Khanal, a Terry Fox Transdisciplinary Postdoc Fellow, and Paul Savage (Artsci'11), currently an MD/PhD student at McGill University, collaborated on the research with Drs. Yi-Min She and Terry Cyr at Health Canada.

    This research, which was funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, was published online in the journal Cancer Research.

    yang2014may

    Dr. David Rimm recently visited the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    2014 April 11

    Dr. David Rimm (Professor at Yale University) recently visited the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and spoke in the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute Seminar Series on “Quantitative In Situ Measurement of Biomolecules for Companion Diagnostics”. Dr. Rimm has pioneered the development of new quantitative approaches to biomarker assessment in pathology, and their use to classify tumors by prognosis or predict response to cancer therapy. Dr. Rimm's open approach to collaboration and sharing of resources and technology expertise was much appreciated by the translational researchers in our department and the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute.

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    Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductee

    2014 May 08

    Dr. Adolfo de Bold a recent inductee into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, visited the Department on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014. He met with students and faculty and presented a seminar entitled: "The Discovery of the Endocrine Heart: A Paradigm Shift in Basic and Clinical Cardiology"

    Dr. de Bold and 5 colleagues were inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame at a recent ceremony hosted by the Queen's Faculty of Health Sciences on Thursday, April 24, 2014.

    Several Faculty, residents and students attended the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2014.

    debold2014maymar

    Queen's Pathology Resident Research at USCAP 2014

    2014 April 10

    Queen's Pathology and Molecular Medicine was well represented in early March 2014 at the 103rd Annual Meeting of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) in beautiful San Diego, California.

    In the Autopsy Session on Monday, March 3, Dr. Gulisa Turashvili presented her poster titled "Array-CGH Study of Autopsy Specimens: A Search for Tissue-Specific copy Number Changes".

    On Tuesday, March 4, Dr. Charles Leduc presented a poster at the Breast Pathology session titled "Concurrent Molecular Targeting of Raf and Mek in Triple Negative Breast Cancer".

    Dr. Ami Wang presented her poster titled "Reduced Membranous Expression of EpCAM-ICD Correlates with Poor Patient Outcome in Primary Colorectal Adenocarcinoma" at the Gastrointestinal Pathology session on Tuesday, March 4.

    uscap2014mar

    The 7th M. Daria Haust Visiting Lecturer

    Tuesday 2014 May 20, 4pm, Richardson Lab Amphitheatre

    Dr. Murray W. Huff, PhD (Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Director, Vascular Biology Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London Ontario.

    "Halting the Progression of Atherosclerosis: the Impact of PPAR Delta Activation"

    Posted: 2014 April 10

    haust2014april.htm

    The Local View with Ted Hsu: Breast Cancer Action Kingston

    2014 March 21

    Sue Davies (President, Breast Cancer Action Kingston) and Dr. Sandip SenGupta (Professor, Pathology and Molecular Medicine) appeared on "The Local View with Ted Hsu", a local television production in Kingston.

    The show will air in May 2014: see this Youtube link: http://youtu.be/8o-7Yo2rlCk

    Background: Breast Cancer Action Kingston (BCAK) is a survivor-led, independent, non-profit charitable organization. They are committed to research and advocacy directed towards prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, educating women, men, the public and physicians about the importance of breast self-examination and the benefits of early detection and to providing support for patients, survivors and their families as they cope emotionally and physically with breast cancer.

    bcak2014mar

    Professor made an honorary professor at Chinese university

    2014 January 22
    From http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/professor-made-honorary-professor-chinese-university

    by Wanda Praamsma, Communications Officer

    Professor Susan Cole says she's always been internationally inclined since her first school trip to Japan at age 15. She loves to travel, enjoys bringing foreign students and postdoctoral fellows into her cancer research lab, and is involved in a handful of research collaborations with universities and clinics around the world.

    "The beauty of biomedical science is that it is international," says Dr. Cole, who teaches in the departments of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, and is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cancer Biology and Bracken Chair in Genetics & Molecular Medicine. "Over the years, it's been wonderful to have many different countries represented in the lab and see the connections and collaborations that emerge from the relationships."

    cole2014jan

    Six Canadian medical heroes will be inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF)

    Dean On Campus, 2013 September 27

    Tuesday was a big day at Queen’s University. Principal and vice-chancellor, Daniel Woolf announced the names of six Canadian medical heroes who will be inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) on April 24, 2014. For the first time, Queen’s University and Kingston will host this national event at the Rogers KRock Centre.

    As co-chairs of the 2014 Induction Committee, vice-Principal (Advancement) Tom Harris, and I are delighted about the exceptional nominees that we will honour next April (and one in particular – be sure to read to the end of the list):

    Dr. Adolfo de Bold, an alumnus of Queen’s University who completed his graduate studies here. He received his Masters of Science 1971 and PhD in 1973 in experimental pathology. Dr. de Bold was also an esteemed faculty member in Queen’s Department of Pathology. In 1981, at a lab in Hotel Dieu Hospital, he discovered the cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). This is considered one of the most important contributions to cardiovascular discoveries of the last half-century. For the first time we understood that the heart is more than a simple muscle – but a complex endocrinologic organ.

    Dr. de Bold attended the announcement with his wife Dr. Mercedes Lina deBold (who also has a PhD from Queen’s). He spoke very fondly of his time in Kingston. His words illustrated the value of living, learning and working in at such a close-knit campus and community. He told us how he studied and then taught across the street in Botterell Hall, how all five of their children we born a block away at KGH, and how only a few blocks away he made a game-changing breakthrough at Hotel Dieu.

    What I didn’t know beforehand, is Dr. De Bold took a big leap of faith in coming to Queen’s. In 1968, after meeting a Queen’s faculty member in Argentina, he decided to move (9,000km!) to Kingston with only a one-year contract as a research assistant. He enjoyed his work here as an R.A. so much that, well…the rest is history. To wrap up this lengthy post, I would like to thank Principal Woolf and the Honourable Senator Hugh Segal who are the honourary co-chairs for the 2014 Induction. My very sincere thanks go out to the volunteers who are working very hard to make the 2014 ceremony a showcase for our community in the national spotlight. It will be an inspiring event and encourage all Kingstonians to consider attending, sponsor a student or best of all; purchase a table. You can find out more directly from The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, 519.488.2003, or email: cmhf@cdnmedhall.org.

    Posted: 2013 September 27

    debold2013sept.htm

    Three faculty members become Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

    By Rosie Hales, 2013 September 19

    Three Queen's professors and respected researchers have been formally inducted as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).

    Roger Deeley (Pathology and Molecular Medicine), Jacalyn Duffin (Medicine, Philosophy, History, Nursing, Education), and Elizabeth Eisenhauer (Oncology) were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership, creativity, competence and commitment to the health sciences.

    Dr. Deeley is the Vice-Dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Sciences, Director of the Queen's Cancer Research Institute, and a professor of pathology & molecular medicine, oncology, and biomedical & molecular sciences. His research focus on multidrug resistance proteins (MRP) has been widely recognized as a major contribution to understanding the causes of resistance to cancer chemotherapy.

    "I'm very honoured to have been elected as a Fellow of the Academy and I look forward to participating in the activities of the Academy in its support and promotion of health research in Canada," says Dr. Deeley.

    Posted: 2013 September 23

    cahs2013sept.htm

    Record number of Queen's professors elected to Royal Society of Canada

    By Anita Jansman 2013 September 06
    From https://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/record-number-queens-professors-elected-royal-society-canada

    Seven Queen's University professors were named among the newest fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) today, more than in any other single year.

    "It is remarkable in a university of our medium size to have seven distinguished faculty members elected to the Royal Society of Canada in one year. Each of these individuals has made important contributions to their fields, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honour," says Principal Daniel Woolf, who currently serves on the RSC Executive Committee. "Moreover, fellowship in the three academies of the RSC is a much more meaningful and enduring measure of Queen's University's individual and collective achievements in research than are rankings exercises, which are too easily distorted by size of institution."

    David Lillicrap (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) is an internationally-renowned researcher focused on the genetic basis of hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD). His work has led to innovative strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of the world's most commonly-inherited bleeding diseases. Lillicrap's novel findings, now being applied to clinical care worldwide, are improving the quality of life for patients with inherited bleeding disorders.

    The Royal Society of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1882 as Canada's national academy. It helps promote Canadian research, scholarly accomplishment and advises governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest.

    Posted: 2013 September 09

    royalsociety2013sept.htm

    Forensic pathologist brings expertise to Queen's and Kingston

    From http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/forensic-pathologist-brings-expertise-queens-and-kingston

    Dr. Kris Cunningham by Anita Jansman

    Kris Cunningham is the newest faculty member in the School of Medicine's Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine. He brings with him a wealth of experience and education to the science of forensic and cardiovascular pathology.

    He comes from the University of Toronto, where he was a forensic and cardiovascular pathologist and medical director at the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

    From the unique perspective of forensic pathology, Dr. Cunningham feels he can contribute to the well-being of surviving relatives of patients who have lost their lives to genetic forms of cardiovascular disease.

    "It's a sad event when a young person dies of an undiagnosed inherited heart condition. The one thing I can potentially offer to relatives is insight on whether they too carry the mutation. They can be treated and then make important decisions about their own lives such as whether or not to have children," says Dr. Cunningham.

    When he began studying medicine, after earning a PhD in biochemistry from Ohio State University, Dr. Cunningham planned to become a cardio specialist. But he changed his mind and chose to study pathology instead.

    There has recently been an interest in utilizing the tools of molecular pathology to help answer questions that arise out of postmortem examinations, and Dr. Cunningham feels excited and privileged to be a part of this fascinating area of study. "We're planning to develop a molecular autopsy program here at Queen's" he says.

    At Queen's, Dr. Cunningham will teach cardiovascular pathology, forensic pathology and courses in autopsy to medical, graduate and undergraduate students as well as to residents in pathology. He also plans to develop a research programme into sudden cardiac death.

    In addition to his academic work at Queen's, Dr. Cunningham has also taken on the role of director of the Kingston Regional Forensic Pathology Unit and the Kingston General Hospital Autopsy Service. In this role, he will provide forensic pathology services to the region and fill a position that has been vacant for years. Needless to say, his arrival has made local and regional law officials relieved and happy.

    "All criminally suspicious cases used to be sent to Ottawa or Toronto making it necessary for law enforcement officers to go there. It makes their job easier having someone in Kingston and brings in an expertise locally that can facilitate their investigations," says Dr. Cunningham.

    Dr. Cunningham sees a personal benefit to leaving Toronto and moving to Kingston - he no longer has an hour-long commute to get to work. He and his wife, an art historian, are settling into their new home in west-end Kingston with their two young children. They're thrilled to be in such a family-friendly city and look forward to building a new life here.

    Posted: 2013 July 22

    cunningham2013july.htm

    Heart and Stroke funds will help research

    From http://www.thewhig.com/2013/06/25/heart-and-stroke-funds-will-help-research

    KINGSTON - A commitment by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to fund 19 of Canada's leading research institutions with $300 million over 10 years is a welcome sign of long-term support, but it won't bring any immediate major changes to research in the country, said a researcher at Queen's University, one of the institutions receiving the money.

    "There won't be immediate changes, but I think it's a recognition that we have the opportunity to build on what is already a strong base of research with the potential of enhancing and expanding that at Queen's and the other institutions involved," said Dr. David Lillicrap, a professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine.

    "I think we are all very pleased about this, but we don't expect to see in a few months, or even in one or two years, a major change. It is an evolutionary thing."

    Lillicrap said the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the major funder of heart and stroke research in the country, is going through a major reorganization at the moment to strengthen the organization and particularly strengthen funding opportunities for research.

    Posted: 2013 June 26

    lillicrap2013june.htm

    Queen's professor a world leader in vascular disease research

    From www.queensu.ca/news/articles/queens-professor-world-leader-vascular-disease-reserach

    For the past five years, Queen's University researcher Donald Maurice (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) (cross appointed to Pathology and Molecular Medicine) has headed the Cardiac, Circulatory and Respiratory (CCR) research program in the Faculty of Health Sciences, a group of more than 30 clinicians and basic scientists who research the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

    Dr. Maurice's laboratory is currently examining the underlying causes of vascular disease by testing the idea that healthy cells carry out their various functions by grouping together proteins required and allowing them to interact within defined compartments.

    Dr. Maurice's passion for his research is obvious, and it is accompanied by a strong work ethic, which grew from his roots in northern Ontario and his undergraduate summer experiences as an iron worker. He earned his doctorate at McMaster University under the late Professor Richard Haslam.

    Posted: 2013 June 25

    maurice2013june.htm

    New Appointments within the Department

    Effective on or about 2013 July 1st, we have a number of new people associated with the Department:

    Primary Appointments:

  • Kristopher Cunningham, MD; Assistant Professor; Director, Kingston Regional Forensic Pathology Unit; Clinical Director, KGH Autopsy Service
  • Prameet Sheth, PhD; Assistant Professor; Clinical Microbiologist
  • Sonal Varma, MD; Assistant Professor

    Cross Appointments:

  • Sam Basta, PhD, Associate Professor
  • Igor Jurisica, PhD; Professor; Computer Science
  • Jagdeep Walia, MBBS; Assistant Professor; Gene Therapy

    Adjunct Appointments:

  • Jian Chen, PhD; Assistant Professor; Proteomics
  • Anna Majury, PhD, DVM; Assistant Professor; Microbiology/Public Health
  • Paul Park, PhD, MD; Assistant Professor
  • Terrence Sills, PhD; Associate Professor; Genomics

    Posted: 2013 June 12

    newfolk2013june.htm

  • Queen's researchers receive $1.3 million in federal funding

    Six Queen's researchers with projects ranging from improving treatment for Parkinson's disease, to preventing work-related injuries are receiving $1.3 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). "The CFI, through the Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF), has provided us with an excellent mechanism for attracting and retaining top-flight researchers," says Vice-Principal (Research) Steven Liss. "As a result of this competition, six Queen's researchers will receive the funding required to develop innovative infrastructure that will provide the enriched research training environments necessary for leading-edge research. "

    Michael Rauh (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) - Dr. Rauh will explore next-generation technologies that will allow earlier detection of blood cancer which causes debilitating and life-threatening fatigue, bleeding, infections and can progress to leukemia. The funding is being used to create a blood cancer research laboratory at Queen's.

    Dr. Michael Rauh's Leaders Opportunity Fund Project, "A Translational Research Pipeline for Personalized Diagnostics in Myelodysplastic Syndromes" was for $206,000.

    Posted: 2013 June 10

    rauh2013june.htm

    2013 PAIRO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award

    2013 March 15

    Dr. John Rossiter was chosen as one of the recipients of the 2013 PAIRO (Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario) Excellense in Clinical Teaching Award for Queen's University.

    The Award comes with a $1000 donation to the award winners charity of choice.

    Susan Cole is the first-ever Researcher-in-Residence at PARTEQ Innovations

    2013 January 31

    Susan Cole is the first-ever Researcher-in-Residence at PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer arm of Queen’s University. The former Queen’s Deputy Provost and PARTEQ board member will help mentor and assist researchers in the life sciences who are considering protecting their discoveries for the purpose of commercialization.

    Dr. Cole will be working closely with Michael Wells, manager of commercial development in life sciences at PARTEQ.

    “As an active researcher at the ‘front lines,’ I’m in a unique position to keep an eye and ear out for new and interesting ideas and suggest that researchers talk to PARTEQ,” says Dr. Cole, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Cancer Biology and the Bracken Chair in Genetics and Molecular Medicine. “I hope I can also suggest ways to help researchers avoid premature public disclosure that would compromise their ability to protect the potential intellectual property associated with their discoveries.”

    Dr. Cole co-invented PARTEQ’s most-licensed technology with Roger Deeley, Vice-Dean Research, Queen’s Health Sciences/Vice-President, Health Sciences Research, Kingston General Hospital. The technology provides a gene coding for multidrug resistance protein (MRP). This discovery has been instrumental in advancing scientists’ understanding of drug resistance in tumors. It has been licensed to more than 30 companies worldwide and their original research paper on MRP has been cited more than 2,500 times since 1992.

    cole2013jan

    David Murray Robertson, MD

    2012 October 17

    ROBERTSON, David Murray, MD - At home on Monday, October 15, 2012 in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Alice, survived by daughter Ellen and her husband James, daughter Barbara and son Douglas and his wife Annette and grandchildren Emily, Elizabeth, Vanessa and Patrick, Predeceased by parents Ellen and George Robertson of Weyburn, Sask., and brother Donald.

    A 1955 graduate of Queen's University, he had a distinguished 30 year career at Queen's University and KGH as an academic neuropathologist. During his career he established the Neuropathology Division of the Department of Pathology as a successful and internationally recognized academic unit. He enjoyed many years as a recreational pilot and spent time in retirement on woodworking projects and at the family cottage.

    A private service will be held at a later date. A special thank you to Barbara Fuller, MD, and the caring staff of CCAC, The Red Cross and Premier Homecare Services.

    For those wishing, donations to U.H.K.F. - KGH department of Pathology would be appreciated

    robertson2012oct

    KGH researchers working to develop new prostate cancer test

    2012 Aug 21

    Men with prostate cancer could soon know precisely how serious their disease is - and how aggressively to treat it - the moment they are diagnosed, thanks to a new team of researchers at KGH.

    "We hope to create a test so accurate that patients don't need to consider surgery or radiation unless it's really needed," says Jeremy Squire, Research Chair in Molecular Pathology at KGH and Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's University.

    Squire heads up the research team along with recent recruits Paul Park and Paulo Nuin, both adjunct assistant professors. As members of the newly formed Canadian Prostate Cancer Biomarker Network (CPCBN), they are joining investigators from across the country who are working to create a test that could augment - or altogether replace - the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test currently used.

    And thanks to a recent $4 million funding boost to the network via the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, a new test could be close at hand.

    Adding further momentum, Nuin and Park have secured two grants amounting to $300,000 from the Prostate Cancer Canada Pilot Grants for Young Investigators. The funding will go a long way to "creating significant research discoveries at KGH", says Squire.

    So why is a new test needed? Squire says it comes down to the PSA test’s sensitivity. "The PSA test will detect even the most benign cases," he says. "That can lead to over-treatment, which is a problem especially in the case of elderly men in whom treatment could cause more damage than the cancer."

    Unlike the PSA blood test, the KGH team plan to develop a test that examines tissue from the tumour itself. "Our test would give a precise risk. So, in many cases, doctors would be able to tell patients that they’ll be fine to live their life without undergoing further treatment," says Squire.

    As part of CPCBN, researchers will share clinical samples acquired at KGH with members across the country.

    Their inclusion is an important step for KGH, says Squire.

    "I've spent three years to ensure we were part of this," he says. "With KGH’s access to a large cohort across Canada, we can design studies that will have national prominence statistically." The team is optimistic about how quickly they can develop the test. "If you’d asked me before, I would have said within five to ten years," says Squire. "Now, I’d say five."

    That timeframe is paramount because aging baby boomers will need the test the most, he says. "Our aging population is a great concern. But we hope to move from discovery to application very quickly."

    Above all, the new biomarker test would allow physicians to create a truly patient-centered treatment plan. "Treatment could be tailored to the type of tumour a patient has while taking into consideration his age," says Squire. "Now that’s personalized medicine!"

    squireparknuin2012aug.htm

    Dr. M. Daria Haust was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

    2012 August 14

    Dr. M. Daria Haust was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal of the Governor General of Canada at a special presentation ceremony of the Diamond Jubilee Gala, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, on June 18th, 2012.

    A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

    During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.

    The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal program.

    haust2012aug

    Dr. David Good

    2012 July 03

    Welcome to new Faculty member Dr. David Good, Hematopathologist, Assistant Professor

    Dr. Good will be taking up residence in Richardson Labs Room 201C.

    good2012jul

    CACB Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession of Clinical Biochemistry
    Sponsored by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

    2012 June 11

    Dr. Christine Collier, Service Chief for Clinical Chemistry at Kingston General Hospital and consultant Clinical Biochemist at Belleville General Hospital is the 2012 recipient of this award “in recognition of her multitude of accomplishments that have advanced the field of Clinical Biochemistry in Canada in the past 24 years”.

    Dr. Collier’s current service and research interests include cardiac markers, chronic kidney disease and eGFR, protein electrophoresis, testosterone in hypogonadism, and the importance of biological variation and measurement uncertainty in test interpretation. At Queen’s she has been involved in TIPS (Teaching Improvement Project System), PBL and medical school admissions for many years, and she served three years as the Phase II coordinator for undergraduate Medicine. Dr. Collier has been a member of Ontario’s QMPLS General Chemistry Committee, President of the OSCC and Chair of Upstate New York section of the AACC, and on the IATDMCT. She runs the listservs for the CSCC, OSCC and IATDMCT. She helped coordinate implementation of eGFR reporting in Ontario and across Canada, revamped the CSCC CE program into the Professional Development program, and for the last 5 years has co-coordinated the bimonthly CSCC Education Roundtable webinars, which reach 200+ people at 30+ sites.

    Dr. Collier received the CSCC Award for Education Excellence in 2000 and 2004, the Canadian Association of Medical Education’s Certificate of Merit in 2005, the OSCC Award for Outstanding Contribution to Clinical Chemistry in 2006, the CSCC Grant for Leadership and/or Administration in 2007 and 2008, and the Upstate New York AACC Somogyi-Sendroy Award in 2008. She is currently studying part-time for a Masters in Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen’s University.

    collier2012june

    Decreasing Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Aided by Good Bone Health

    2012 June 11

    Good bone health may also be a step towards preventing recurrence of breast cancer, according to results from an exploratory study led by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) located at Queen's University.

    "Results of the study suggest that preventing this deterioration in bone health by using commonly-used therapeutics known as bisphosphonates may have an additional positive effect in decreasing the risk of breast cancer recurrence", says Lois Shepherd, Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's University, physician coordinator at the NCIC Clinical Trials Group and a pathologist at Kingston General Hospital.

    shepherd2012june

    Dr. Xiaolong Yang has received a three-year research grant from Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)

    2012 May 03

    Dr. Xiaolong Yang has received $449,100 for a three-year research grant from Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) to study the roles of several novel genes in chemotherapeutic drug resistance of breast cancer.

    Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and is responsible for one third of all cancer deaths of women in Canada. One of the difficulties encountered in breast cancer therapy is that breast cancer patients are usually either intrinsically resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs or acquire resistance after initial treatment, which results in cancer recurrent following primary chemotherapy. The research findings from this project will not only has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying drug resistance but also has great implication for the future development of novel therapeutic drugs for the successful treatment of drug-resistant breast cancer patients.

    yang2012may

    2012 March 27
    Are you a student looking for a PATH499 or CANC499 supervisor & Lab for 2012-2013? ** Go here to see the list of faculty **, with their research interests and contact information, *possibly* taking 4th year students. Please contact them directly.

    Posted 2012 April 11

    Dr. Stacy Visser-Grieve is on a roll! She recently won a Fellowship Award from the Terry Fox Foundation -CIHR Training Program in Transdisciplinary Cancer Research and now she has won a prestigious Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation of $142,500 over three years. These awards will allow her to pursue a project entitled "Identifying substrates of the calpain protease system and elucidating calpain's role in the cancer cell signalling network". This will be carried out in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Greer in the Queen's Cancer Research Institute in the context of his Canadian Institutes of Health Research funded research project investigating calpain proteases as potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Stacy's project will include innovative protein structure-function and mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods to identify novel calpain targets, as well as transgenic mouse and cell models to elucidate the molecular roles of calpain in cancer cells. This work will be carried out in collaboration with Drs. Zongchao Jia and Steve Smith.

    Stacy is a recent graduate of the Pathology and Molecular Medicine PhD program where she trained with Dr. Xiaolong Yang and published several outstanding papers on the LATS tumor suppressor. We are delighted that her outstanding potential as a cancer researcher has now been recognized by the CBCF, and that we have the opportunity to see her take the next steps in her development as a future independent breast cancer researcher.

    2012 March 19

    Dr. Surtaj Iram - ABC2012 Young Investigator Award

    Dr. Surtaj Iram, a postdoc in Dr. Susan Cole's laboratory, won a "ABC2012 Young Investigator Award" at the recent Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) meeting in Innsbruck March 8th!

    This is a very prestigious competitive award because this biannual meeting (4th FEBS Special Meeting on ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Proteins) is the top international meeting in the field. There is a cash prize that accompanied this award. So you can see that Surtaj's success at the recent Resident/Post doc Day is now reflected internationally.

    Roger G. Deeley reappointed Vice-Dean Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Vice President Health Sciences Research at Kingston General Hospital

    Posted 2012 February 07

    Roger Deeley has been reappointed as Vice-Dean Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen's University and Vice President Health Sciences Research at Kingston General Hospital and for the Kingston teaching hospitals for a second five-year term commencing January 1, 2012.

    These appointments are announced by Dr. Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen's University, and Ms. Leslee Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Kingston General Hospital.

    Following ten years with the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in the United States, Dr. Deeley came to Queen's University in 1980. He was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1984 and in 1987 he was appointed as the first holder of the Joseph S. Stauffer Chair and as Director of the Cancer Research Laboratories. He served as Director of the Division of Research for Cancer Care Ontario from 1988 to 2007 and since 2003 he has also been the Director of Queen's Cancer Research Institute. Dr. Deeley has held the joint position of Vice-Dean Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Vice President Health Sciences Research at Kingston General Hospital since 2007. Dr. Deeley is a member of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine with cross-appointments in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences and the Department of Oncology.

    Dr. Deeley has maintained an active, internationally recognized research program that has been continuously funded from sources such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, and industry. He has also been responsible for developing a number of major research initiatives, which together with his own research program, have garnered over $32M in funding. Dr. Deeley has extensive experience with research funding agencies and he has been involved in both provincial and national cancer control research agendas. Over the course of his career, Dr. Deeley has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers, reviews and book chapters, and he is also co-inventor on a number of patents related to the discovery of the multi-drug resistance protein, MRP1. Dr. Deeley was co-recipient in 2005 of the Robert L. Noble Prize presented jointly by the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society, and in 2007 he was the recipient of the National Cancer Institute of Canada's Diamond Jubilee Award for outstanding contributions to cancer research.

    posted: 2012 January 30

    Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, killing 1.2 million people annually. Therefore, identification of genes responsible for lung cancer development is crucial for its successful therapies. Dr. Yang's lab has recently discovered TAZ, a major component of an emerging Hippo signaling pathway, as a novel gene causing lung cancer.

    In this research project, Dr. Yang will further explore how TAZ and other components of the Hippo signaling pathway contribute to lung cancer development and progression using human lung cancer cell lines, mouse model, and clinical cancer patient tissues. The research findings from this research project will finally identified a new pathway critical for lung cancer development and will have great implications for the future diagnosis and therapy of lung cancer.

    Aperio/Spectrum system updated
    2011 May 19

    The Department's Aperio/Spectrum system was massively upgraded and now sports a newer, faster web server along with updated versions of the Spectrum web service. Check it out at http://www.path.queensu.ca/epu/PathLab2/slidescanning/slidescanningservices.htm

    posted: 2011 April 25

    Hundreds of world class researchers have helped KGH carve out a reputation as a national and global leader ion patient-porinted research.
    Everyone will have a chance to learn more about just what they are discovering and creating at our inaugural Research Showcase.
    The Showcase is also a step toward realizing the KGH 2015 strategic goal of cultivating an environment that will help strengthen the hospital's reputation as a hub of patient-oriented clinical research.
    Dr. Jeremy Squire, KGH's first ever Research Chair in Molecular Pathology, will deliver the keynote address, sharing his insights into taking research discoveries from the prostate cancer genome into clinical practice. The showcase will also include tours of research facilities and oral and poster presentations from dozens of KGH research teams. The free event is open to all KGH staff, members of the regional research community and the general public.

    9:00-5:30 KGH Research Showcase Queen's Etherington Hall & Richardson Amphitheatre
    9:00 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jeremy Squire "Taking research discoveries from the prostate cancer genome into clinical practice." Etherington Hall Auditorium

    Transdisciplinary Training Program - Cancer Research Institute
    2011 March 04
    For PhD candidates Jess Cockburn and Vikki Ho, the reasons for taking an interdisciplinary approach to research are clear. “Aside from the innate fact that this is where all research is going, I think everyone is starting to realize that we can learn a lot more if we work together in a group setting,” explains Cockburn. “I think we’re more efficient and resourceful working as a team,” adds Ho.

    Both Ho and Cockburn are part of the the Queen’s University Terry Fox Foundation Traning Program in Transdisciplinary Cancer Research in Canada, housed within the university’s Cancer Research Institute. The program gives graduate students and post-doctoral fellows a chance to work with researchers in different disciplines within cancer research. Cockburn explains that while the program is open to anyone doing cancer research, “you have to demonstrate that your research is truly transdisciplinary.”

    Researchers awarded $850,000 for five projects

    2011 January 21

    Queen's University researchers have received $848,828 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for five projects that range from studying how drugs are dispersed through the body to finding a better way to assess the condition of Canada's deteriorating infrastructure.

    Susan Cole (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) leads a team that received $400,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer that will be housed in Chernoff Hall and managed by the newly formed Queen's Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Unit (QMSPU). Civil Engineering professor Neil Hoult.

    "We will be purchasing a machine that will be the envy of other universities and an important instrument for a significant number of Queen's researchers," says Dr. Cole, who is also Queen's Deputy Provost.

    Tom Massey (Pharmacology and Toxicology) and Richard Oleschuk (Chemistry) were co-lead investigators with Dr. Cole on the grant proposal. All three will use the new machine with various projects.

    Dr. Cole researches drug resistance and how drugs are distributed within the body, focusing on what proteins are key to regulating those processes.

    "Two individuals can respond very differently to the same drug. We want to know how drugs interact with proteins that carry the drugs into and out of cells. These transporter proteins are much larger than the drugs they carry so we'd like to know where these drugs bind on the proteins - that's a key question we've been trying to address by other, non-direct methodologies. This new machine will allow us to obtain direct evidence that is extremely precise" says Dr. Cole.

    For more information, see the CFI website.

    2011 January 07

    The primary expectation of the successful appointee will be to develop an innovative research program in molecular pathology that will assist in the understanding of molecular and cellular aspects of cancer, leading to better diagnostic and therapeutic tools. {MORE]...

    2010 October 20

    The top 5 abstracts submitted by Junior Members of the College of American Patho logists (CAP) to the CAP'10 meeting were recognized during ceremonies held at the meeting. Second Place ($1,000 award): The Prognostic Value of MicroRNAs in Low-Risk Endom etrial Cancinomas. Jamie Snowdon, MD; Xiao Zhang, MSc; Victor Tron, MD; Tim Childs, PhD.

    2010 August 10
    Kingston, ON -- A team of Queen’s University researchers has received $450,000 to study a gene mutation common to breast cancer patients. The three-year funding supports research aimed at developing an inexpensive diagnostic tool for identifying individuals with the gene mutation.

    “In the long term, we hope to identify people early who are at risk of developing breast cancer – before they get cancer – so they have the best possible surveillance and treatment options,” says Scott Davey.

    The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation funding will continue a collaborative project between Dr. Davey and Dr. Harriet Feilotter, both members of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and the Cancer Research Institute.

    The problem lies in BRCA1, a human tumor suppressor gene. Inheriting a damaged BRCA1 gene sets off a series of events that leads to an individual developing cancer. BRCA1 carriers develop tumors that present earlier and are more aggressive than other forms of breast cancer.

    “In the first phase of the study, we were able to detect changes in gene expression patterns that distinguish people with BRCA1 mutations from those with no apparent mutation," says Dr. Davey. "The second round of funding will allow us to validate and extend this work, hopefully leading to both a better understanding of BRCA1 function, and an improved method for identifying individuals that carry the gene mutations.”

    Using fresh blood cells from patients, the research team will try to nail down the actual function of BRCA1 to determine exactly how it inhibits cancer.

    2010 July 27
    A truly integrated approach to healthcare combines scientific research and clinical medicine to provide the best possible service for patients. Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen's has been a leader in adopting this model to meet healthcare needs in Kingston and throughout Southeastern Ontario.

    "The department is exceptional in that it sits at the interface between basic health science research and the clinical departments," says Vice-Dean, Research and Stauffer Professor of Basic Oncology Roger Deeley, who is also Vice President of Health Sciences Research at Kingston General Hospital (KGH).

    The department recognized this special role earlier than its counterparts elsewhere in Canada, and embraced it to a greater extent, so department members are now a mix of medical doctors and PhD researchers working together to meet broad healthcare needs.

    "There is no point in doing research if we can't turn it into something useful for the patient," says Victor Tron, head of Queen's Pathology and Molecular Medicine and KGH Laboratories. "We use our scientific and clinical research extensively with patients. It's an important part of the culture of our department."

    Faculty members play a vital role in clinical care by providing diagnostic laboratory services and engaging in direct patient care through integration with the KGH Clinical Laboratory Services Program.

    "A patient can't move through the health care system until they've been diagnosed, and that's where we come in," adds Dr. Tron. "We have ongoing collaboration with other physicians. They are the quarterbacks and we're the rest of the team in the background working together to serve the patient."

    They also deliver laboratory medicine services to hospitals throughout the region. Faculty members assist with blood work, cancer diagnoses, infectious disease diagnoses, and autopsies. They perform genetic testing and use their innovative laboratory research to help them achieve the most accurate diagnoses possible.

    And faculty members are active teachers at the university, bringing their collaborative approach into the classroom.

    "For example, if we're discussing a genetic disorder for skin cancer, I would talk about the clinical aspects of the disease and a biochemist would talk about the research aspect. It's a way for the students to see our collaborative process at work," says Dr. Tron.

    "I think it's a model that we should aspire to in other areas of health research," adds Dr. Deeley. "The fact that four pathology and molecular medicine faculty hold named research chairs speaks for itself."

    The department is home to over 50 Queen's scientists and clinical physicians as well as 15 cross-appointed professors. The researchers collaborate to produce world-renowned work focusing on everything from cytogenetics to infectious diseases to anatomic pathology, all with a single goal—improving patient outcomes.

    For more information on the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, visit their new website at www.path.queensu.ca.

    2010 July 27
    Peter Greer (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) has received $1.6 million for two research projects aimed at developing new treatments to slow tumour growth in breast cancer.

    "We have been working on these projects for several years and are delighted that both grants were renewed in the last Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) competition," says Dr. Greer.

    The researchers in Dr. Greer's lab are looking at the impact of two enzymes – Fer and calpain – on tumour growth.

    In previous studies at Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Dr. Greer and his research team have shown that inhibiting these enzymes slows cancer growth. Further research is aimed at a deeper understanding of how Fer and calpain contribute to causing tumours, and at developing new drugs to target the enzymes in cancer treatment.

    Fer regulates cellular functions by adding phosphates to proteins to affect their functions, and calpain regulates cell behaviour by splitting proteins into smaller peptides.

    "There are exciting new technologies and huge amounts of knowledge coming down the pipe that are revealing the biological complexities of cancer at a much more sophisticated level," says Dr. Greer. "I hope to see some of the work we have done contribute to that further understanding of cancer and to improved treatments for breast and other cancer in the future."

    Cancer is a disease of gene mutations. The challenge for cancer biologists is to determine how gene products, and in some cases mutant versions of them, interact in ways that control cancer cell survival and production, as well as migration and invasion properties leading to the spread of disease.

    2010 July 27
    Drs. James and Lillicrap presented and/or chaired five oral sessions involving the genetic analysis of inherited bleeding disorders, the use of animal models to evaluate clotting factor immunogenicity and the development of gene transfer strategies for hemophilia.

    In addition, several posters from the group were also displayed at the meeting, and Amrit Kahlon, a Queen's hematology fellow, attended the meeting to present her results on peri-operative levels of factor VIII and VWF.

    Finally, Dr. Lillicrap, a current member of the Medical Advisory Board of WFH, has been appointed as the Chair of the new Research Committee of the Federation, and there are plans to launch a new international inherited bleeding disorder research program at the 50th anniversary meeting of WFH in 2012.

    2010 July 7
    Three Pathology and Molecular Medicine residency trainees have been awarded prestigious PSI Foundation Research Prizes. 

    Dr Alanna Church’s examined the role of fibrosis as a prognostic factor in Hodgkin’s Disease.  Dr Church worked with Dr David Lebrun, a clinician scientist Anatomical Pathologist in the Department.

    Dr Jaime Snowdon used profiling of small non-coding RNA molecules, microRNAs, to examine their utility to diagnosis bladder cancer in the urine of patients at risk.  This work was lead by Dr Boag, the Service Chief of Anatomical Pathology at Queen’s.

    Finally, Dr Paul Masry implemented a novel cloning sequencing technique to profile a rare and poorly understood skin tumor called Merkel Cell Carcinoma.  The work was done under the supervision of Dr Victor Tron, Head of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University, in collaboration with Dr Tom Tuschl at Rockefeller University. 

    The residency program values and encourages resident research, and is very pleased that the above three physicians are being recognized for their valued contributions.

    Dr. Peter Greer and Dr. Susan Cole, both Professors in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, obtained new funding at the recent CIHR operating grant competition.

    2010 July 02
    Dr. Greer was impressive in obtaining two major five awards for a total of 1.6 million dollars.  One grant is focused on the calpain, a potential target in breast cancer.  While the second award, furthers Dr. Greer’s interest in the oncogene, fer.  Dr. Susan Cole was awarded 663K over five years to further her studies on the role of the transporter, ABCC4.