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Current Position:
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Postdoctoral Fellow |
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How did you become interested in research relating to Hypertension? |
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I have pretty significant family history of CV disease on both sides of my
family so I have always been interested in addressing this important health
issue. Beginning with my fourth year project 10 years ago my research has always
been related to cardiovascular disease in some way. As I have developed as a
researcher my work has focused more and more on endothelial dysfunction, a
critical component of hypertension. |
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Describe your research interest & the research program that you are in
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I work as part of a team of investigators at the Kidney Research Centre in
Ottawa, Canada. Research at our centre focuses on hypertension, mechanisms of
glomerular injury, and mechanisms of diabetic vascular and renal injury. My own
research focuses on the cellular mechanisms of oxidative stress, inflammation
and endothelial dysfunction in hypertension. I have a particular interest in the
role of microparticles, tiny cellular fragments shed from stressed cells of the
vasculature in propagating endothelial dysfunction following vascular injury.
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What do you consider to be your substantial scientific contribution so far?
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I would consider my recent manuscript “Endothelial microparticle formation by
angiotensin II is mediated via Ang II receptor type I/NADPH oxidase/ Rho kinase
pathways targeted to lipid rafts.” (PMID: 21597004) to be my most substantial
scientific contribution. I am proud of how it is a comprehensive examination of
microparticles as both markers AND mediators of vascular injury.
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What is your favourite manuscript from a lab other than your own? |
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“Activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells by Akt-dependent
phosphorylation” PMID: 10376603. Just sensational work by one of the world
leaders in nitric oxide and vascular biology. |
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What facilities are essential for your research?
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Flow cytometry, cell culture facilities, myography apparatus, live cell imaging
equipment and HPLC. |
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Where do your research strengths lie? Why? What are your research weaknesses?
How will you improve? |
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My strengths are in assay development and troubleshooting/problem solving. I
derive great satisfaction from brining a new technique to the lab. I also feel
that I am very collegial and work well in research teams. My main weakness,
which I think is common in many researchers, is a failure (at times) to think of
my work within the context of a complete physiological system. It is easy, for
example, to ignore the impact of the brain on BP if you are focusing directly on
the kidney or vasculature. I try to address this by expanding my knowledge in
the other systems (i.e. attending brain-specific sessions at conferences)
whenever possible. |
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Describe your unforgettable (proudest) moment in science, and the most
challenging instance that you had to overcome (lessons learnt) so far? |
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My proudest moment in science was receiving my PhD in 2008. It was the
culmination of years of hard work and personal/professional development. The
most challenging aspect of a scientific career is trying to find a balance with
family life. Success in this career requires both personal and financial
sacrifice but family is what makes it all worthwhile. |
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Which conference did you first present in? How was your experience? |
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My first poster was at Experimental Biology 2005 in San Diego. It was my first
conference of any kind and with so many people and such varied topics it was
incredibly overwhelming at the time. |
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What upcoming conferences will you be attending, and what is the furthest you
have traveled for a conference?
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I will be attending the Canadian Society of Nephrology Meeting in St. John’s NL
April 25-30. I also plan on attending the Council for High Blood Pressure
Research and possibly ISH 2012 in Sydney. The furthest I have travelled was to
the Beijing Joint Conference on the Physiological Sciences (2008). |
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How did you know about ISH/NIN and its activities?
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My supervisor, Dr. Rhian Touyz is an ISH member who encouraged me to attend the
Vancouver 2010 meeting and get involved. At the 2010 meeting I met several
colleagues including NIN member Dr. Praveen Veerabhadrappa. After the meeting I
joined with Praveen, and Drs. Charchar, Tomaszewski, Harrap and Carlberg to
initiate the New Investigator Network. |
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What area(s) do you wish to specialize in the future? |
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My primary goal at the moment is to build a research program of my own focusing
on the role of microparticles in mediating vascular injury. Long term I would
like to be involved in novel, cutting edge research which enhances our
understanding of vascular biology. |
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Who is your role model in research? Why? |
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My current and previous supervisors (Dr. Rhian Touyz and Dr. Qingping Feng) are
brilliant individuals who are extremely hard working, collegial, and driven.
They are perfect examples of how to succeed in scientific research. Dr. Kevin D
Burns, director of our research centre, is also a role model for excellence,
particularly as it relates to education and the development of research teams. I
consider many other individuals role models but would not want to leave anyone
out. |
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What are your scientific goals? Advise for talented emerging scientists?
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My personal goal is to develop an independent laboratory examining mechanisms of
endothelial dysfunction in hypertension and kidney disease. The best advice I
can give to emerging scientists is to take every opportunity you get to present
your work. At your lab meetings present at every chance. If someone cancels at
your institutional seminar series- volunteer to present. If you go to a
conference always select “Oral preferred”. Being able to communicate the
importance of your work is critical and practice is the only way to get good at
it.
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