Overview

I am a clinical hematologist interested and involved in clinical and collaborative scientific studies in areas such as inherited bleeding disorders including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemias and sickle cell disease, and in immune cytopenias such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Pediatric haematological disorders also provide the unique opportunity to investigate genetic mutations and to understand the pathophysiology of these disorders, thus shedding light on the normal physiological functions of these systems.

Research

Investigation of Clotting Factor Heterogeneity in Severe Hemophilia A
The focus of this research is to develop a sensitive assay to accurately measure circulating Factor VIII levels between 0 and 1%, based on measurement of the activity of the enzyme, thrombin, which develops in proportion to the level of FVIII activity present. Three aspects of hemophilia treatment will then be investigated with participation from clinics across Canada.

Blood Borne Pathogen Surveillance Project
The Association of Hemophilia Directors of Canada has been asked to develop a method to look for known and emerging blood borne diseases. This cross-Canada project will establish a secure bank of samples to test for known blood borne infectious agents and genetic changes causing or modifying the clotting disease, and that will be available for testing for newly discovered viruses and clotting gene changes as they are found.

Honours & Awards

AACR/ASCO funding for Cancer Research Workshop - 1997