INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY
ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - 2009
Prepared by Professor Timothy G. Geary Director August 2009
Infective larvae of the parasite Haemonchus contortus in a water droplet in grass Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Cover
The picture represents infective larvae of the parasite Haemonchus contortus in a water droplet in pasture. Sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus parasitic worms become anemic and often die. Adult female worms lay eggs in the host’s digestive tract. The eggs are excreted in the host’s feces, where they develop into larvae that move into the surrounding environment. The larvae can then be ingested by other small ruminant grazing hosts, in which they turn into adults, mate and continue the life cycle.
Credit: The photo was taken from: Prichard, R.K. and Geary, T.G. Drug Discovery - Fresh hope to can the worms. Nature, vol. 452, pp. 157-158, March 2008.
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I – Mission & Objectives
• To train students and highly qualified personnel at an advanced level in all life science disciplines relevant to the host-parasite relationship
• To advance knowledge in the life science disciplines relevant to the host-parasite relationship
• To undertake basic research aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality caused by parasite infections in animals and humans
• To communicate our findings to the scientific community and the general public
• To contribute our expertise to the broader mission of McGill University through our teaching, research and service in the life sciences in the Faculties of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Medicine, and Science, particularly in relation to Biotechnology and the Environment
II – Highlights of Past Year’s Activities
► The Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, hosted by the Institute of Parasitology, received news in April 2009 that its application for renewal had been approved. The Centre now has 29 members at academic institutions across the Province, and plans to continue expanding into the arena of international scientific collaborations.
► Prof. Timothy G. Geary completed his second full year as Director of the Institute of Parasitology, and continues to serve. This is a five-year appointment effective 1 April 2007. Dr. Geary also continues as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology.
►With permission from the Provost, a recruitment effort was launched to identify a suitable replacement for the vice-Spithill senior position and Tier 1 CRC Chair. The Institute was delighted to be able to attract and hire an excellent candidate, Dr. John Dalton, Director of the Sydney Institute of Technology in Australia. Dr. Dalton started his career at McGill on 1 May 2009. It is anticipated that Dr. Dalton will be approved for the CRC Chair, with attached CFI. Although we miss our friend Terry Spithill, we are very pleased to welcome Dr. Dalton to our group.
►Dr. Petra Rohrbach, from Heidelberg University in Germany, joined the Institute as an Assistant Professor in November of 2008, and has applied for her first NSERC grant. Her research interests are in the area of pathogenesis as regards the host-parasite relationship in malaria and live cell imaging.
►Prof. Marilyn Scott continues to serve as the Director of the McGill School of the Environment. This is a 5-year administrative appointment, which began on 1 June 2008. Dr. Scott is also academically active in nutritional research in Central America,
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particularly to ascertain how malnutrition affects the parasite burden in schoolchildren. Her doctoral students are currently conducting field studies in Panama, Guatemala and Trinidad.
►Prof. Prichard served as the Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee for the 2009 World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology Biennial Conference, to be held in Calgary, AB, in August 2009. Roger Prichard continues as a James McGill Chair (2003-2010).
► Prof. Roger Prichard continues his work on a vaccine for African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), a serious parasitic disease that is endemic in many parts of Africa. This research is funded by a Gates Foundation grant.
► Prof. Roger Prichard continued to serve Dean Madramootoo as Chair of the Faculty Planning Committee for the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. This is a 3-year appointment.
► Prof. Georges resigned as Director of the Institute’s Biotechnology Program. Dr. Geary is acting as temporary Director until Dr. Dalton has been “groomed” to assume this responsibility. The Biotechnology program continues to receive more applications than there are available spaces in the program. Expansion in this area is hampered by lack of lab space.
► Assistant Professor Reza Salavati continues to offer a Structural Bioinformatics course on the Macdonald Campus. The course was developed by Dr. Salavati in 2007, is well received by the students, and has been accepted by the McGill Centre for Bioinformatics as an elective for the Bioinformatics option across the University.
► Prof. Geary’s Functional Genomics course, launched in September 2007, continues to be popular with Mac students. Macdonald Campus students now have the opportunity to study functional genomics without going downtown. The course is well received and enjoys a selective popularity.
►In 2008, Prof. Geary received a Gates Grand Challenges Exploration grant, from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His project, Drug Discovery in Africa, aims to bring together international expertise with collaborators in North American and African institutions. Natural products/local plants from Africa will be tested for their anti- parasite properties (ability to expel parasitic worms from the body) in an attempt to establish African institutions as the leaders in this program, so that the products developed from this sustainable project will be produced in Africa and available at low cost to Africans.
► Prof. Geary gave the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus lecture at Notre Dame University on drug discovery in Africa.
► Professor Geary developed and delivered a course on Water-borne Health Hazards as part of the Water Resource Engineering program; this illustrates the continuing
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commitment of the Institute of Parasitology to other Macdonald programs, such as the Brace Water Institute.
►In September 2008, the number of non-thesis Biotechnology students remained similar to the previous year’s enrolment. Since the launch in 2005 of the M.Sc. (Applied) degree in Biotechnology, demand for this program has been strong and continues to grow. There is a waiting list for the M.Sc.(A) Biotech program.
► Our recent retirees continue to render valuable service to the Institute. Dr. Jim Smith produced the Summer 2009 edition of the Friends of Parasitology Newsletter. Dr. Gaétan Faubert acts as a part-time lecturer in the Immunology course offered on the Macdonald Campus and coordinated by Prof. Florence Dzierszinski.
►Prof. Robin Beech continues to serve as the Graduate Program Director, and Prof. Paula Ribeiro serves as Chair of the Institute’s Scholarships Committee.
► The 8th Annual FQRNT Molecular Parasitology Symposium was held from June 12- 13, 2008, at Complexe des sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), hosted by Prof. Tatiana Scorza, Département de sciences biologiques at UQAM. Invited international speakers were: Dr. Richard Bucala, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, and Dr. Ricardo Gazzinelli of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Brazil. Attendance and participation were excellent demonstrating the depth and vibrancy of the Centre.
►The Institute of Parasitology completed its sixth and final year as the Leader for the FQRNT Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions. Professor Armando Jardim serves as director and spearheaded the writing of a successful application for renewal in this highly competitive funding arena. Ten Centres across the Province were funded; four were at McGill. Of the McGill four, our Centre for Host-parasite Interactions and the Nano Centre were the only ones to get funding for six years.
► Dr. Manami Nishi continued as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Dzierszinski’s group. She hails from Japan, and won a prestigious PBEEE (Programme de bourses d’excellence pour étudiants étrangers) funding award from the Quebec government. She conducts novel research studying the identification and purification of cyst wall proteins in Toxoplasma gondii, using proteomic approaches.
► Dr. Rodrigo Miranda from Brazil continued as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Prichard’s laboratory. He held a postdoctoral international fellowship from the Government of Canada. Dr. Miranda investigated the mechanisms of drug resistance in parasitic nematodes, and returned to Brazil on July 18, 2009, to take up a position as an Assistant Professor at a Brazilian University.
► Dr. Catherine Bourguinat, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Prichard’s lab, recovered from the malaria which she had contracted in Spring 2008 during her field studies in Cameroon. Dr. Bourguinat is conducting research to discover a possible genetic marker to follow potential ivermectin resistance in Onchocerca volvulus.
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► Dr. Terry Spithill, former Director of the Institute of Parasitology and currently Professor and Research Chair in Veterinary Parasitology at Charles Sturt University in Australia, was appointed as an Adjunct Professor. He works closely with Dr. Geary and others in terms of research collaboration.
► Dr. David Marcogliese, from Environment Canada, St. Lawrence Centre, continues as an Adjunct Professor to the Institute of Parasitology. This is a 3-year appointment, which commenced in March 2008. Dr. Marcogliese collaborates with Dr. Marilyn Scott and complements her research program on environmental issues.
► The Institute offered in 08/09 a Flow Cytometry Core Facility as well as a Molecular Biology Service Facility to the McGill community, the FQRNT Centre, and industry. The continuation of these services is being called into review, due to lack of university funding for a dedicated technician.
Teaching and Learning (undergraduate and graduate):
Student Success
A. Undergraduate – Although the Institute has no undergraduate program of its own, Institute professors taught basic life sciences to students in several required courses on the Macdonald Campus and in the Faculty of Medicine. As per Senate policy, numerical data from course evaluations are available to McGill students and staff via University postings by the Office of the Provost on the web each term. See http://www/mcgill.ca/provost/courseevaluations/ (see Activity Reports for individual scores).
B. Graduate – The Institute graduated 4 Ph.D. students (Drs. C. Caballero-Franco, M. Leimanis, M. Osei-Atweneboana and A. Pilar) and 2 Master’s students (H. Moshiri and J. Solomon) in our thesis research degree programs in 2008/09. Dr. Caballero-Franco is currently doing a postdoc at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard University) working on mucosal immunology. Dr. Leimanis has currently undertaken a postdoctoral position in Thailand, involving work on stage 1 clinical trials for a malaria vaccine. Dr. Osei-Atweneboana returned to his native Ghana to work as a Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Accra, Ghana., where he will continue his work on onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted nematodes. This is a teaching and research position. Dr. A. Pilar is doing a postdoc at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Of our 2 M.Sc. graduates, Mr. Solomon entered law school; he is currently at the University of Windsor School of Law. Mr. H. Moshiri returned to McGill to undertake doctoral research. Former graduate Dr. Aws Abdul- Wahid accepted a postdoctoral position at the Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto Health Centre. He is working on a colorectal cancer vaccine under Prof. J. Gariépy. Doctoral student Nicholas Patocka is the Manager of the Ceilidh Club, run by the Students’ Society, on the Macdonald Campus. He was a previous year’s winner of the Gold Key Award for participation in student life on the Macdonald Campus.
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Scholarships: The following graduate students hold major merit-based awards: Mr. Alireza Darissi CIHR bioinformatics training award Ms. Aïssatou Diawara FQRNT doctoral fellowship Ms. Vanessa Dufour FQRNT doctoral fellowship Ms. Karen Geukers NSERC Master’s fellowship Mr. Pablo Godoy Government of Chile Master’s Award Ms. Stéphanie Goyette CIHR doctoral fellowship Ms. Carli Halpenny NSERC doctoral fellowship Mrs. Manal Hassan-Kardoush Government of Egypt doctoral award Ms. Smriti Kala FQRNT doctoral fellowship Mr. Vijay Rao FQRNT doctoral award Ms. Elizabeth Ruiz McGill Tomlinson doctoral fellowship Mr. Hamed Shateri McGill Lloyd Carr-Harris fellowship Ms. Rona Strasser FQRNT doctoral fellowship Mrs. Amira Taman Government Egypt doctoral award
In the non-thesis Biotechnology program, 3 students graduated with a Certificate in Biotechnology, and the M.Sc. Applied in Biotechnology program graduated 20 students. The biotech industry is suffering from the economic situation and it was harder for students to find positions. A fair number decided to continue into a Ph.D. program, and others found jobs at McGill, or biotech companies in Canada and the USA.
C. Visiting students – The Institute welcomed three academic trainees. (1) Ms. Coby Stals, 5-Jan.-30-June 2009, from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. Ms. Stals conducted research in the laboratory of Prof. Geary on the immunological roles played by proteins secreted from parasitic nematodes in establishing and maintaining a successful infection. (2) Ms. Melaina Grant, 1 Jan.-30 June 2009, from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Ms. Grant was supervised in the laboratory of Prof. Jardim while she undertook the development of a bacterial-based assay to screen small molecule libraries for novel compounds that can be used as novel drugs to treat the infection caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani. (3) Ms. Patricia Velludo, 22 July-20 Nov. 2008, from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Paulista State University, Brazil. Ms. Velludo worked in the laboratory of Prof. Prichard and benefited from research training on drug resistance in nematode parasites.
D. Summer students- Five undergraduate students were employed at the Institute during the summer of 2008 and all received advanced research training. The Institute welcomed four NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Awardees; Charles Viau, Panagiota Toliopoulos, Geneviève Dallaire and Lauren Kay spent the summer in the labs of Profs. Geary, Jardim, Dzierszinski and Scott, respectively. One Canada Summer job awardee (Erica Seccareccia) worked during the summer in the lab of Prof. Scott. The Institute exposed these trainees to cutting edge research in molecular biology, immunology, proteomics and population studies in the life sciences.
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E. Visiting Scientists – Dr. Boakye Boatin, from the World Health Organization, visited the Institute in December 2008. He spoke with academic staff, graduate students and postdocs about career opportunities in tropical health. Dr. T. Boonmars, from Thailand, visited the laboratory of Prof. Geary in June 2008 and worked on the cloning and expression of trematode antigens to use in the diagnosis of cancers associated with fluke infection in Thailand. Other distinguished visitors during this reporting period were: Prof. Berhanu Abegaz and Prof. Kerstin Marobela of the University of Botswana, and Dr. Eliya Madikane of the University of Capetown. The goal of their visit to McGill was to learn the microbial assay systems that are central to Dr. Geary’s Gates project of Drug Discovery in Africa.
F. Training – Research assistant Serghei Dernovici in the lab of Prof. Geary went to Boston, MA for a live cell analysis on FACSAria® seminar.
G. Guest Lecturers - During the 2008-2009 reporting year, the following distinguished scientists have given invited seminar presentations at the Institute:
Dr. Jan Conn Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, SUNY, Albany Topic: “Lineage divergence and phylogeography of the neotropical malaria vector Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae)”
Dr. Silvina Fernandez Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph Topic: “Population dynamics of gastrointestinal nematodes in Canadian flocks”
Dr. Hagai Ginsburg Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Topic: “Use with caution: limitations of automated reconstruction of metabolic pathways in Plasmodium”
Dr. Marc-Jean Gubbels Department of Biology, Boston College Topic: “Genetic dissection of Toxoplasma gondii host cell invasion and division”
Dr. Laura Knoll Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Topic: “Toxoplasma, influenza, and obesity: what is the connection?”
Dr. Aaron Maule Queen’s University of Belfast Topic: “RNAi in parasitic worms: A story of risk and reward!” Dr. Momar Ndao Director, National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Montreal General Hospital Topic: “Protecting the Canadian blood supply by using mass spectrometry technology”
Dr. Isabelle Rouiller Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University Topic: “Cryo-EM of macromolecular complexes”
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Dr. Richard Roy Department of Biology, McGill University Topic: “LKB1/AMPK signaling: At the convergence of stem cell quiescence, cell polarity and metabolism”
Dr. Michel Tremblay Department of Biochemistry, McGill Topic: “The biology of tyrosine phosphatases: from human diseases to parasites”
Dr. Paul Wiseman Department of Physics and Chemistry, McGill University Topic: “Exploiting higher harmonics of light … SHG & THG for mapping collagen structure in heart tissue and malaria infection in blood cells without exogenous labeling”
Dr. Dan Zilberstein Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Topic: “Insight into the molecular mechanism of Leishmania development inside its host”
Our students and trainees benefited enormously from contact with these leaders in their fields.
Research:
Discoveries and innovations The Institute’s research was published in 35 peer-reviewed papers/book chapters and was presented at 45 conference presentations. Professors gave 13 Invited presentations during the year.
Patents issued Georges, E. et. al. “B23-directed diagnostics and therapeutics for multi-drug resistant neoplastic disease”. 7,413,851; August 19, 2008.
Georges, E. et. al. “TPI-directed diagnostics and therapeutics for multi-drug resistant neoplastic disease”. 7,358,042; April 15, 2008.
Patents filed Georges, E. et al. “ABP-125-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 60/024,430.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP-126-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 60/024,435.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP127-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 61/024,428.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP128-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 61/024,422.
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Georges, E. et al. “ABP129-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr. Application no. 61/024,441.
Collaborations The Institute is active in multiple international and national collaborations. (i) Dr. Prichard continued his Gates Foundation work: “Development of a vaccine against trypanosomiasis”. This is in collaboration with Dr. Yusibov (Centre for Molecular Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Inc., USA) and Dr. Lubega (Makerere University, Uganda). (ii) Dr. Prichard is collaborating with Dr. Michel Boussinesq, Institut de recherche pour le développement, Paris, France, to study “The effects of ivermectin on genetic selection and reproduction in Onchocerca volvulus”. (iii) Dr. Prichard is collaborating with Dr. Maria-Gloria Basáñez (Imperial College, UK) on the project “Monitoring anthelmintic resistance development and spread in lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis”. He also collaborates with Dr. Lesley Drake of the Imperial College regarding the detection of albendazole resistance genetic changes in human soil- transmitted nematodes. (iv) Dr. Scott is collaborating with Dr. Koski (McGill) and Drs. Ortega and Romero (University of Panama) on a health initiative “Establishment of long- term research program in nutrition-infection interactions”. (v) Dr. Jardim is collaborating with Dr. M. Patole, University of Pune, India, to study glycosome biology, and with Dr. Moses Lee at Hope College, MI, regarding drug discovery for Leishmania and African trypanosomes. He also collaborates with Dr. Ricardo Gazzinelli at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil using genetic and proteomic approaches to discover immunogenic Leishmania proteins for immunization and development of diagnostic tests. (vi) Dr. Geary has ongoing collaborations in several areas of research. In the area of antiparasitics, he collaborates with African colleagues at the Universities of Botswana and Capetown, as well as others in Sudan, Kenya and Cameroon. In the area of diagnostics for filarial infections, he collaborates with Dr. Charles Mackenzie at Michigan State University. (vii) Dr. Dzierszinski collaborates with several colleagues on the pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii: Dr. David Bzik of Dartmouth University, Dr. Huan Ngo of Northwestern University, Dr. Vern Carruthers at the University of Michigan, Drs. David Roos and C.A. Hunter at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Laura Knoll at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Dr. Marie-France Cesbron-Delauw at the Université de Grenoble(France). (viii) Dr. Salavati collaborates with Dr. Saira Mian for protein sequence analysis and modeling protein function, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California.
Equipment grant NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (Wykes, Koski & Scott), “Bioplex system for multiplexing microassays of biomarkers”, $66,400, (2007-2008).
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New research initiatives from the McGill Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, based at the Institute of Parasitology Dr. Beech received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant with Drs. R. Prichard, J. Dent and T. Geary, to study “Development of transgenic parasitic nematodes”.
Drs. Descoteaux and Olivier received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant for the project “Macrophage signal induction in response to Leishmania infections”.
Dr. Dzierszinski received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant with Drs. A. Jardim and M. Desjardins, to study “The pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii: PVM protein identification”.
Dr. Ribeiro is collaborating with Dr. Dent studying “Neuronal control of nematode development” with funding from an FQRNT Centre New Initiative Award.
Dr. Salavati received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant with Dr. G. Berghius, to study “The architecture of trypanosomatids”.
Dr. M. Stevenson at McGill’s Centre for the Study of Host Resistance received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant with Drs. T. Geary and C. Piccirillo for the project “Multidisciplinary strategy to identify immunosuppressive compounds”.
Dr. M. Tremblay, with Dr. M. Ouellette, at Université Laval received an FQRNT Centre New Initiatives grant for a project entitled “Use of HIV-1 protease inhibitors as anti- leishmanial compounds”.
The Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions is maturing and expanding its research programs. It is a vehicle for driving new initiatives across Quebec where several Centre members will come together to start new collaborative research, often with international linkages. This process is ongoing.
Other international activities Our Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions held its 8th Annual Quebec Parasitology Symposia during the time span of this report (see FQRNT section, pg. 15). The 8th Annual Symposium was held at UQAM, with Dr. R. Bucala of Yale University and Dr. R. Gazzinelli of Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil, as Invited guest speakers. Following the recent renewal of the Centre for another six-years, international collaboration with India and Spain are in the planning stages.
With funding from the Gates Foundation Grand Challenges, Dr. Geary leads a team to help establish locally controlled pharmaceutical research programs in Botswana and South Africa. The aim of this project is to develop indigenous capacity, and involves screening chemicals derived naturally from tropical plants or microbes – a major source of antiparasitics (drugs which expel parasitic worms from the body). Africans will do the research and own the intellectual property, thus creating sustainability. Dr. Geary hopes to transfer leadership of this project to Africans in the very short term, 2-3 years.
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Dr. Prichard serves as the Coordinator of the International Consortium for Anthelmintic Resistance SNPs. Dr. Prichard also has on-going research in Africa modeling anthelmintic resistance and spread in lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. In addition, he has a project in Haiti monitoring response to benzimidazole treatment and anthelmintic resistance in human populations.
Dr. Scott holds a SENACYT “Science Against Poverty” grant from Panama. She studies the benefits of micronutrient supplements in lowering Ascaris re-infection rates in indigenous Panamanian children. She is the Director of the Quebec- Panama Consortium.
Academic Staff: The list of academic staff as of June 1, 2008, is shown in Appendix IV.
Departures – (1) Prof. Gaétan Faubert retired from McGill University in June 2008. The Provost gave the Institute of Parasitology permission to recruit to fill this vacant position at a junior level. (2) The departure of Prof. Terry Spithill in 2007 also permitted the Institute to recruit at the senior level.
New Hires – Two new hires have been made. (1) Dr. Petra Rohrbach from Heidelberg University in Germany accepted an Assistant Professor position at the Institute of Parasitology, and commenced work in Nov. 2008. She will work on malaria live cell imaging and microscopy. (2) Dr. John Dalton of Ireland has accepted the Full Professor position and arrived at McGill from his current position in Australia in May 2009. He has applied for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Infectious Diseases. His research area is proteases in the virulence and pathogenesis of parasitic infection.
Chairs – Dr. Prichard continues to hold a James McGill Chair which supports his extensive international research program in molecular helminthology. Dr. Dzierszinski holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Pathogenesis. Dr. Geary continues in his Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology.
Assoc. Prof. Robin Beech – Dr. Beech continues to serve as the Graduate Program Director and the webmaster for the Institute of Parasitology. He is also the Chair of the Macdonald Campus Environmental Committee.
Prof. John Dalton – Dr. John Dalton, formerly the Director of the Institute for Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, Sydney, Australia, joined the Institute on 1 May 2009. Dr. Dalton has applied for a Canada Research Chair in Infectious Diseases, with attached CFI.
Assist. Prof. Dzierszinski – Dr. Dzierszinski received the Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes Foundation. She participated, by Invitation, in the CRC’s national celebration, “Inventing the future: Ideas for the 21st century” at Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Qc.
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Prof. Faubert – Dr. Faubert retired on 30 June 2008, but continues to assist with the teaching mission of the Institute as a part-time lecturer. He also serves as a consultant on building issues and is writing an Invited book chapter on giardiasis.
Prof. Geary – Dr. Geary serves on McGill’s Technology Transfer Committee and on the Macdonald Campus Chair for Animal Science Recruitment Committee. He is a member of the WHO/TDR Helminth Drug Initiative Management Committee, and the WHO/TDR Expert Drug Advisory Committee. He is an alternate for the University Tenure Committee for Recruitment. Dr. Geary holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology.
Assoc. Prof. Elias Georges – Dr. Georges served on the Board of the McGill spin-off biopharmaceutical company, Aurelium Biopharma Inc. He also served as a member of the Macdonald Campus Development Committee.
Assoc. Prof. Jardim – Dr. Jardim participated in a Special Lectures Series on Leishmania genomics, proteomics, drug development and vaccine targets on February 9, 2009, at Jawaharial Nehru University, New Delhi. He was responsible for teaching in a Fulbright sponsored workshop on bioinformatics and genomics. This is part of a U.S.-India Joint Training Program on Bioinformatics of Intracellular Pathogens. Dr. Jardim serves on the University Tenure Committee for the Faculty of Science and the Academic Program Committee for the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Prof. Prichard – Dr. Prichard served as the Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee for the 2009 World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology biennial Conference, to be held in Calgary, Alberta, in August 2009. He serves as a Fellow of the Australian Society for Parasitology, and continues as an elected Honorary Fellow of the European Veterinary Parasitology College. Dr. Prichard chairs the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Planning Committee, and serves on the Faculty Nominating Committee. He holds a Gates Foundation grant for “The development of a vaccine against trypanosomiasis”.
Assoc. Prof. Ribeiro – Dr. Ribeiro serves as the Chair of the Macdonald Campus Safety Committee since January 2006, as well as the Chair of Institute of Parasitology’s Safety Committee, Curriculum Committee and Scholarships Committee. She also is on the University Tenure Committee, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Assist. Prof. Petra Rohrbach – Dr. Rohrbach joined the Institute on 16 November 2008, coming to McGill from a postdoc in cell biology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Her research will be the cell biology and physiology of malaria parasites and the analysis of drug action at the level of cellular physiology.
Assist. Professor Salavati – Dr. Salavati was reappointed by the Faculty Promotions Committee to an Assistant Professor position for another 3 years. His tenure dossier will be submitted by September 1, 2010. He serves on the Faculty IT Committee and as a member on the Faculty Undergraduate Recruitment Committee.
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Assoc. Prof. Marilyn Scott –Dr. Scott serves as the Director of the McGill School of the Environment. This is a 5-year appointment which commenced on 1-June-2008. Although heavily laden with administrative duties, she remains active in research in Central America in the area of nutrition and its effects on parasitism in human populations.
Involvement in the Community:
Institute faculty served the academic and wider community in multiple ways. All staff serve on a variety of Faculty and McGill Committees, review journal articles and PhD/MSc theses, and organize conferences, as detailed in the Activity Reports. Some particular involvement is highlighted here.
In March 2009, Prof. Florence Dzierszinski gave a Keynote Lecture to physicians and nurses in French for the Groupe Santé Medisys at the 19e Colloque sur la santé des voyageurs au Palais des congrès, Montréal. English translation of her lecture: “Possible parasitisms of travelers”.
On 30 April 2009, Dr. Timothy Geary gave an Invited lecture at John Abbott CEGEP entitled “Infectious Diseases”, as part of a regularly scheduled Biochemistry class taught by Institute alumnus Sharon Rutherford.
Dr. Geary delivered a Public Lecture entitled “Why Parasites Matter” at the University of Ontario’s Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, in March 2009. He spoke to students and community members on a variety of topics including the effect that parasites have on their hosts and potential therapeutic exploitation. This was the Purdue Pharma Distinguished Lecture which is designed to expose students and the general public to some of the country’s leading experts and researchers as they explore a broad range of research topics related to the health of Canadians.
Dr. Geary also delivered an Invited talk at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), as part of the FQRNT Centre Molecular Parasitology Symposium, in June 2008, entitled “Careers in industry: discovery through development”.
In addition to the above, staff respond to a wide assortment of questions about parasites from the general public, students, university teachers and the media.
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II – FQRNT Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions Centre de recherche sur les interactions hôte-parasite
In 2008-2009, our Provincially-funded Regroupement Stratégique Centre completed its sixth and final year of operation in the current round of funding. Please visit the website www.mcgill.ca/chpi for details of our scientific activities, and services offered.
The Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions brings together researchers and their trainees at the Institute of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Physiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Bioresource Engineering, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Brace Research Institute, McGill Centre for Tropical Medicine and the McGill University Health Centre, at McGill University, Université de Montréal, Centre de recherche en Infectiologie, Université Laval, INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier, and Université du Québec à Montréal into what is considered by external reviewers as the strongest centre for parasitological research in the world. It is recognized as a Regroupement stratégique. The research of the Centre focuses on Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Host Defense to Parasite Infections, and the Molecular Basis of Anti-parasite Drug Resistance and Drug Discovery. As a result of cross-fertilization within the Centre, there have been many joint publications from Centre members and its 108 trainees and numerous collaborative research grants and contracts. The Centre has received international recognition and has been invited to participate in networks of excellence in other parts of the world.
Each year the Centre holds several research meetings involving all members of the Centre. The Annual two-day Scientific Meeting typically involves 50 – 60 oral and poster presentations and Invited international experts. During this reporting year, the 8th Annual Molecular Parasitology Symposium was held at the Université du Québec à Montréal, hosted by Prof. Tatiana Scorza. Dr. Richard Bucala of the Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, and Dr. Ricardo Gazzinelli of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute of Brazil were Invited international speakers. In addition to the Annual Scientific Meeting, a meeting was held to review progress on New Initiative projects funded by the Centre as well as a meeting to plan for the application for the renewal of the Centre. The Centre members were aware of the extreme competitiveness in this funding arena and worked together to prepare a strong application, which was ultimately successful, demonstrating the value-added and vibrancy of the Centre.
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IV – Challenges
As the Institute continues to grow and thrive, budgetary constraints which affect infrastructure and personnel are of increasing concern. The sustainability of our present high level of operation is coming into question. While the economic downturn has left world economies little choice but to shrink, one would hope that universities would realize the need to prioritize spending by rewarding performance and maintaining the upkeep of its buildings. Infrastructure issues on the Macdonald Campus must be addressed in the short term, and the Institute has a need for more departmental technicians. The need for technical support staff applies especially to the area of high technology platform instrumentation made possible by CFI wins, which have high maintenance costs associated with them as well as requiring highly skilled technicians for optimal operation of the instruments. The Faculty Animal Facility also needs to come into review, since it is chronically understaffed, but all the while the use of animals on the Macdonald Campus is increasing as is the complexity of animal care. This Director would like the Faculty to explore the possibility that the University Animal Resource Centre downtown take over the Macdonald Animal Facility to provide rotation of staff, emergency coverage during holidays/illness and financial subsidies for its operations. This task has fallen upon the Institute for many years and it is time for a better plan. The Biotechnology graduate program, as it continues to grow, is also in need of its own operating budget and a sessional technician to assist with the labs. In summary, the Institute would greatly benefit from more University support in order to be able to maintain its operations at the current demonstrably high level of success. We look forward to working with the University to resolve these issues. It should be noted here that it is not permitted to use our FQRNT Centre grant for any expenses related to University infrastructure, whether in the area of building maintenance, renovations, subsidizing the animal house or hiring support staff for the growing Biotech program.
The Institute of Parasitology celebrated its 75th Anniversary in August 2007. We are already engaged in our next 75 years of research excellence, teaching, and service to the University. We aspire that the Institute of Parasitology will continue to make significant contributions to the study of parasitology worldwide, and to fulfill its mandate to graduate highly skilled professionals in our domain.
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APPENDIX I
HONORS, AWARDS, PRIZES
Dr. Florence Dzierszinski • Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Pathogenesis, 2007-2012
Dr. Timothy G. Geary • Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology, 2005-2012 • Appointed Director, Institute of Parasitology, 2007 - 2012
Dr. Armando Jardim • CIHR New Investigator Award, 1-July-2003 to 30-June-2008 • Appointed Director of the FQRNT Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions
Dr. Roger Prichard • James McGill Chair, 2003-2010 • Elected Fellow, Australian Society for Parasitology • Honorary Fellow, European Veterinary Parasitology College
Dr. Marilyn Scott • appointed Director, McGill School of the Environment, 1-June 2008 to 31- May-2013.
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APPENDIX II PUBLICATIONS Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008
INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY
For electronic version of Institute of Parasitology publications for 2008, we refer you to the following website: www.mcgill.ca/parasitology/publications/
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INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY
List of All Academic Staff Members: Robin N. Beech; John Dalton (started May 09, therefore his pubs not included in this list); Florence Dzierszinski; Timothy Geary; Elias Georges; Armando Jardim; Roger Prichard; Paula Ribeiro; Petra Rohrbach; Reza Salavati; Marilyn E. Scott
List of Students at the Institute of Parasitology See Post-graduate Student Enrolment in Appendix IV.
Publications between January 1 and December 31, 2008
Beech, R.N. (Blackhall, W.J., Prichard, R.K. and Beech, R.N.) P-glycoprotein selection in strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to benzimidazoles. Veterinary Parasitoloogy 152: 101-107, 2008.
-- (Jain, D., Ebine, N., Jia, X., Kassis, A., Marinangeli, C., Fortin, M., Beech, R., Hicks, K.B., Moreau, R.A., Kubow, S. and Jones, P.H.) Corn fiber oil and sitostanol decrease cholesterol absorption independently of intestinal sterol transporters in hamsters. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 19: 229-236, 2008.
-- (Morissette, D.C., Dauch, A., Beech, R., Masson, L., Brousseau, R. and Jabaji-Hare, S.) Isolation of mycoparasitic-related transcripts by SSH during interaction of the mycoparasite Stachybotrys elegans with its host Rhizoctonia solani. Curr. Genet. 53: 67- 80, 2008.
Dzierszinski, F. (Dzierszinski, F.S. and Hunter, C.A.) Advances in the use of genetically engineered parasites to study immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. Parasite Immunology 30: 235-244, 2008.
-- (Pepper, M., Dzierszinski, F., Wilson, E., Tait, E., Fang, Q., Yarovinsky, F., Laufer, T.M., Roos, D. and Hunter, C.A.) Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are activated by Toxoplasma gondii to present antigen and produce cytokines. The Journal of Immunology 180: 6229-6236, 2008.
Faubert, G.M. (Abdul-Wahid, A. and Faubert, G.) Characterization of the local immune response to cyst antigens during the acute and elimination phases of primary murine giardiasis. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 691-703, 2008.
Geary, T.G. (Prichard, R.K. and Geary, T.G.) Fresh hope to can the worms. Nature 452: 157-158, 2008.
-- (Moreno, Y. and Geary, T.G., ) Stage- and gender-specific proteomic analysis of Brugia malayi excretory-secretory products. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2: e326.
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Georges, E. (Bélisle, J.M., Costantino, S., Leimanis, M.L., Bellemare, M.-J., Bohle, D.S., Georges, E. and Wiseman, P.W.) Sensitive detection of malaria infection by third harmonic generation imaging. Biophysical Journal: Biophysical Lectures 94: L26-L28, 2008.
Jardim, A. (Pilar, AV., Madrid, K.P. and Jardim, A.) Interaction of Leishmania PTS2 receptor peroxin 7 with the glycosomal protein import machinery. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 158: 72-81, 2008
Prichard, R.K. Drug resistance in nematodes. In: Antimicrobial drug resistance: Principles and practices for the clinic and bench. (Eds. D. Mayers, S. Lerner, J. Sobel & M. Ouellette), Humana Press, 2008.
-- (Bourguinat, C., Ardelli, B.F., Pion, S.D.S., Kamgno, J., Gardon, J., Duke, B.O.L., Boussinesq, M. and Prichard, R.K.) P-glycoprotein-like protein, a possible genetic marker for ivermectin resistance selection in Onchocerca volvulus. Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology 158: 101-111, 2008.
-- (Churcher, T.S., Schwab, A.E., Prichard, R.K. and Basáñez, M.-G.) An analysis of genetic diversity and inbreeding in Wuchereria bancrofti: Implications for the spread and detection of drug resistance. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2: e211, 2008.
-- (Lespine, A., Alvinerie, M., Vercruysse, J., Prichard, R.K. and Geldhof, P.) ABC transporter modulation: A strategy to enhance the activity of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics. Trends in Parasitology 24: 293-298, 2008.
-- (Mottier, M. and Prichard, R.K.) Genetic analysis of a relationship between macrocyclic lactone and benzimidazole anthelmintic selection on Haemonchus contortus. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 18: 129-140, 2008.
-- (see also Beech, R.N. and Geary, T.G.)
Ribeiro, P. (Patocka. N. and Ribeiro, P.) A closer look at the proteins involved in serotonin signaling in Schistosoma mansoni and how they modulate behaviour. Refereed Conference Proceeding. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 79 (6): 89-90, 2008.
-- (El-Shehabi, F. and Ribeiro, P.) Deorphanization of two novel Schistosoma mansoni G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) using a yeast expression system. Refereed Conference Proceeding. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 79 (6): 219, 2008.
Rohrbach, P. (Friedrich, O., von Wegner, F., Chamberlain, J.S., Fink, R.H.A. and Rohrbach, P.) L-type Ca2+ channel function is linked to dystrophin expression in mammalian muscle. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 3: e1762, 2008.
Salavati, R. (Najafabadi, H.S. and Salavati, R.) Sequence-based prediction of protein- protein interactions by means of codon usage. Genome Biol. 9 (5): R87, 2008.
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Scott, M.E. Ascaris lumbricoides: A review of its epidemiology and relationship to other infections. Annales Nestlé 66: 7-22, 2008. (Translated into French and Spanish; German translation coming soon).
-- (Loaiza, J.R., Bermingham, E., Scott, M.E., Rovira, J.R. and Conn, J.E.) Species composition and distribution of adult Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Panama. Journal of Medical Entomology 45 (5): 841-851, 2008.
-- (Randhawa, H.S., Saunders, G.W., Scott, M.E. and Burt, M.D.B.) Redescription of Pseudanthobothrium hanseni Baer, 1956 and description of P. purtoni n. sp. (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) from different pairs of rajid skate hosts, with comments on the host- specificity of the genus in the northwest Atlantic. Syst. Parasitol. 70: 41-60, 2008.
-- (Tu. T., Koski, K.G. and Scott, M.E.) Mechanisms underlying reduced expulsion of a murine nematode infection during protein deficiency. Parasitology 135: 81-93, 2008.
-- (Tu, T., Phillips, A.T., Koski, K.G. and Scott, M.E.) Acute phase nematode infection reduces resting metabolic rate in both protein-sufficient and protein-deficient mice. Canadian Journal of Zoology 86: 1432-1436, 2008.
Spithill, T.W. (McGonigle, L., Mousley, A., Marks, N.J., Brennan, G.P., Dalton, J.P., Spithill, T.W., Day, T.A. and Maule, A.G.) The silencing of cysteine proteases in Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles using RNA interference reduces gut penetrations. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 149-155, 2008.
-- (Piedrafita, D., Estuningsih, E., Spithill, T.W., Pleasance J., Widjajanti, S., Suharyanta, Partoutomo, S., Kingsford, N., Hansen, D., Clery, D., Prowse, R., Meeusen, E.N.T. and Raadsma, H.W.) Immunology and assessment of resistance to fasciolosis in small ruminants. Book chapter In: Overcoming liver fluke as a constraint to ruminant production in South-East Asia. (eds. Gray, R.S. Copland and D.B. Copeman, pp. 11-126, ACIAR Monograph No. 133, ACIAR, Canberra, 2008.
-- (Purcell, L.A., Wong, K.A., Yanow, S.K., Lee, M., Spithill, T.W. and Rodriguez, A.) Chemically attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites induce specific immune responses, sterile immunity, and cross-protection against heterologous challenge. Vaccine 26: 4880-4884, 2008.
-- (Purcell, L.A., Yanow, S.K., Lee, M., Spithill, T.W. and Rodriguez, A.) Chemical attenuation of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites induces sterile immunity in mice. Infection and Immunity 76 (3): 1193-1199, 2008.
-- (Raadsma, H.W., Fullard, K.J., Kingsford, N.M., Margawati, E.T., Estuningsih, S.E., Widjayanti, S., Subandriyo, Spithilll, T.W. and Piedrafita, D.) Genetics of fasciolosis in small ruminants. Book chapter In: Overcoming liver fluke as a constraint to ruminant production in South-East Asia. (eds. Gray, R.S. Copland and D.B. Copeman, pp. 99-110, ACIAR Monograph No. 133, ACIAR, Canberra, 2008.
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-- (Raadsma, H.W., Fullard, K.J., Kingsford, N.M., Margawati, E.T., Estuningsih, S.E., Widjayanti, S., Subandriyo, Clairoux, N., Spithilll, T.W. and Piedrafita, D.) Ovine disease resistance: Integrating comparative and functional genomic approaches in a genome information-poor species. Book chapter In: Genomics of Disease (ed. J.P. Gustafson, J. Taylor and G. Stacey), pp. 89-113, Springer New York, 2008.
-- (Raadsma, H.W., Kingsford, N.M., Suharyanta, Spithill, T.W. and Piedrafita, D.) Host responses during experimental infection with Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica in Merino sheep. II. Development of a predictive index for Fasciola gigantica worm burden. Veterinary Parasitology 154: 250-261, 2008.
-- (Rioux, M.-C., Carmona, C., Acosta, D., Ward, B., Ndao, M., Gibbs, B.F., Bennett, H.P. and Spithill, T.W.) Discovery and validation of serum biomarkers expressed over the first twelve weeks of Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 123-136, 2008.
-- (Scorza, T., Grubb, K., Cambos, M., Santamaria, C., Malu, D.T. and Spithill, T.W.) Vaccination with a Plasmodium chabaudi adami multivalent DNA vaccine cross-protects A/J mice against challenge with P.c. adami DK and virulent Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS parasites. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 819-827, 2008.
-- (Smith, R.E., Spithill, T.W., Pike, R.N., Meeusen, E.N.T. and Piedrafita, D.) Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica: Cloning and characterization of 70 kDa heat-shock proteins reveals variation in HSP70 gene expression between parasite species recovered from sheep. Experimental Parasitology 118: 536-542, 2008.
-(Yanow, S.K., Purcell, L.A., Pradel, G., Sato, A., Rodriguez, A., Lee, M., and Spithill, T.W.) Potent antimalarial and transmission-blocking activities of centanamycin, a novel DNA-binding agent. Journal of Infectious Diseases 197: 527-534, 2008.
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APPENDIX III CONSULTING ACTIVITIES Between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009
ACADEMIC STAFF
INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY
Consultation Table
Number of days Name of Faculty Private Sector Public Sector Other Total Member Consulting Consulting
T. Geary 6 5 2 13 E. Georges 4 A. Jardim 24 5 -- 29 R. Prichard 1 8 1 10 M. Scott -- 4 -- 4
No staff received payment for these consultation activities from the University, or any of its affiliated units.
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APPENDIX IV
Personnel Working at the Institute of Parasitology
-Professors
-Administrative Staff
-Technical staff
-Students
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PERSONNEL WORKING AT THE INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY 1 June 2008 - 31 May 2009
00175 Inst of Parasitology Staff for Whom This is the Major Department Category Rank Name Full-Time Normal Part-Time Retirement Year Academic Assoc Beech/ Full Time 2027 (Tenure Prof Robin Stream) Prof Dalton/ Full time 2023 John Assist Dzierszinski/ Full Time Prof Florence Prof Faubert/ Part-time Retired June Gaétan lecturer 2008 Prof & Geary/ Full Time 2017 Director Timothy Assoc Georges/ Full Time 2024 Prof Elias Assoc Jardim/ Full Time 2028 Prof Armando Prof Prichard/ Full Time 2009 Roger Assoc Ribeiro/ Full Time Prof Paula Assist Rohrbach/ Full Time 2032 Prof Petra Assist Salavati/ Full time 2025 Prof Reza Assoc Scott/ Full Time 2019 Prof Marilyn
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Category Rank Name Full Time/ Normal Part time Retirement Date (Non-Tenure Research Banerjee/ Full Time Term Stream) Associate Hiren contract Research Dernovici/ Full Time Term Assistant Serghei contract Research Lian/ Full Time Term Assistant Jing contract Research Richard/ Full Time Term Assistant Manon contract Research Sayegh/ Full Time Term Assistant Laura contract Professional Wang/ Full Time Term Associate Guanhua contract
Category Rank Name Full Time/ Normal Part time Retirement Date Admin/ Senior Bingham/ Full Time 2008 Support Technician Gordon Technician Eng/ Part Time Relocation Jenny assignment Technician Keller/ Part Time 2027 Kathy Technician Lavery/ Part-time Term contract Paula Admin Asst Mongeau/ Full Time 2015 Shirley Gates Muise/ Full time Term contract Technician Victoria Biotech Pesek/ Part-time Sessional Technician Francy contract Biotech Admin Trudeau/ Full Time 2025 Coord Christiane
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00175 Inst Parasitology Staff for Whom This is Not the Major Department Category Rank Name Regime Academic Adjunct Prof Forrester/Sean Nil salary Adjunct Prof Marcogliese/David Nil salary Assoc Member Matlashewski/ Nil salary Gregory J. Assoc Member Olivier/Martin Nil salary Assoc Member Rau/ Nil salary Manfred Assoc Member Stevenson/ Nil salary Mary Adjunct Prof Spithill/Terence Nil salary Assoc Member Ward/ Nil salary Brian
00175 Inst of Parasitology Registered Postdoctoral Fellows Name Supervisor Dr. Catherine Bourguinat Roger Prichard Dr. Rodrigues Cambraia de Miranda Roger Prichard Canadian Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, tenable in Canada Dr. Manami Nishi Florence Dzierszinski PBEEE (Programme de bourses d’excellence pour étudiants étrangers) funding award from the Quebec government
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POST-GRADUATE STUDENT ENROLMENT FOR 2008-2009 Academic Unit: Institute of Parasitology (M.Sc./Ph.D. Thesis Research Programs) MALE/FEMALE FAMILY NAME/FIRST NAME DEGREE/YEAR CITIZENSHIP
Ambadipudi, Mr. Raghuram M Ph.D.2F India
Barrere, Ms. Virginie F M.Sc.1F France
Caballero-Franco, Ms. Celia F Ph.D.7A Mexico
Cyr, Mr. Normand M Ph.D.4F Canada
Darissi, Mr. Alireza M Ph.D.4F Canada
Diawara, Ms. Aïssatou F Ph.D.3F Perm. res. in Canada
Dufour, Ms. Vanessa F Ph.D.2F Canada
El-Shehabi, Mr. Fouad M Ph.D.8A Perm. res. in Canada
Geukers, Ms. Karen F M.Sc.1F Canada
Godoy, Mr. Pablo M M.Sc.2F Chile
Goyette, Ms. Stéphanie F Ph.D.3 Canada
Halpenny, Ms. Carli F Ph.D.4F Canada
Kala, Ms. Smriti F M.Sc.3A India
Leroux, Mr. Louis M M.Sc.2F Canada
Macdonald, Mr. Kevin M Ph.D.2 U.S.A.
Moreno, Mr. Yovany M Ph.D.4F Perm. res. in Canada
Odiere, Mr. Maurice M. Ph.D.4F Kenya
Osei-Atweneboana, Mr. Mike M Ph.D.7A Perm. res. in Canada
Patocka, Mr. Nicholas M Ph.D.4F Canada
Perera, Ms. Rushini F Ph.D.2F Sri Lanka
Pérez, Mr. Felipe M M.Sc.1F Mexico
Rauba, Ms. Andrea F M.Sc.2F Canada
Rao, Mr. Vijay M Ph.D.3F Perm res. in Canada
Rioux, Ms. Marie-Claire F Ph.D.5A Canada
Ruiz, Ms. Elizabeth F Ph.D.2F Colombia
Shateri, Mr. Hamed M Ph.D.3F Iran
Strasser, Ms. Rona F Ph.D.3F Canada
Taman, Ms. Amira F Ph.D.4F Egypt
Total number of thesis students: 28
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POST-GRADUATE STUDENT ENROLMENT (2008-2009) Academic Unit: Parasitology/ Biotechnology Graduate Programs
Family Name/First Name Male/Female Degree/Year Citizenship(indicate if permanent (M/F) (M.Sc.1/Ph.D.2) resident) Abdulhafdh, Noura F MSc.A.1 Jordan Adams, Julia F MSc.A.2 USA Ait Tihyaty, Maria F Msc.A.2 Canada Al-Riyami, Bahjah F MSc.A.1 Oman Alvarez, Glenda F MSc.A.1 Venezuela/Permanent Resident Ballesteros, Cristina F Grad. Cert. Canada Boulos, Toufic M MSc.A.2 Canada Choi, Kenneth M MSc.A.1 Canada Cianciarelli, Gaetano M MSc.A.2 Canada Das, Atman M MSc.A.1 India Deng, XianDing M MSc.A.2 China/Permanent resident Du, Qianqian F MSc.A.1 China Frank, Alexander M MSc.A.2 Canada He, Wei F MSc.A.2 Canada Hnaris, Konstantinos M Grad. Cert. Canada Hovhannesyan, Kristine F Grad. Cert. Armenia/Permanent Resident Kathiresan, Meena F MSc.A.2 Canada Khan, Abu Yusuf M MSc.A.1 Bangladesh/Permanent Resident Lan,Lan F MSc.A.2 Canada Li, Jessie F MSc.A.2 Canada Li, Qi M MSc.A.2 China Liu, Changyun M Grad.Cert. China/Permanent Resident Luo, Zhiyao F MSc.A.1 China Mabanga, Tsoarello F MSc.A.2 Zimbabwe/Permanent Resident Macpherson, Chad M MSc.A.1 Canada Mao, Yuan F MSc.A.2 Canada Mathew, Rency Tesy F MSc.A.1 India Mogra, Shabana F MSc.A.2 Canada Ravichandran, Mukunthan M MSc.A.1 India Rey-Sanchez, Hernan M MSc.A.1 Peru/Permanent Resident Rodriguez, Adrian M MSc.A.1 Columbia/Permanent Resident Salek, Cyrus M MSc.A.2 Canada Sanchez-Moali, PatriciaL. F MSc.A.1 Peru/Permanent Resident Sowmithran, Arthi F MSc.A.2 India Steeves, Stephanie F MSc.A.1 Canada Takkar, Rashi F MSc.A.2 Canada Tasneem, Maaiedah F MSc.A.2 Pakistan/Permanent Resident Thandapani, Palaniraja M MSc.A.2 India Vemuri, Madhavi Latha F MSc.A.2 India/Permanent Resident Wong, Isidro M MSc.A.2 Canada Wong, Trevor M MSc.A.1 Canada Yin, Shou-Yun F MSc.A.2 Canada Total number of biotech students: 42
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APPENDIX V
Activity Reports of the Academic Staff
INSTITUTE OF PARASITOLOGY
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2008 - 2009
Name: Robin N. Beech
Date: 21 July 2009
A. Research and Scholarly Activities
1a. Publications in Refereed Journals * Blackhall WJ, Prichard RK, Beech RN (2008) P-glycoprotein selection in strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to benzimidazoles. Vet Parasitol 152:101-107
Jain D, Ebine N, Jia X, Kassis A, Marinangeli C, Fortin M, Beech R, Hicks KB, Moreau RA, Kubow S, Jones PJ (2008) Corn fiber oil and sitostanol decrease cholesterol absorption independently of intestinal sterol transporters in hamsters. J Nutr Biochem 19:229-236
Morissette DC, Dauch A, Beech R, Masson L, Brousseau R, Jabaji-Hare S (2008) Isolation of mycoparasitic-related transcripts by SSH during interaction of the mycoparasite Stachybotrys elegans with its host Rhizoctonia solani. Curr Genet 53:67-80
2. Invited Lectures Beech R (2008) Understanding genetic linkage in the selection for anthelmintic resistance. In: Brazilian Conference of Veterinary Parasitology, Curitiba, Brazil
3. Conference Presentations Beech R, Redman E, Mungall K, Berriman M, Gilleard J (2008) Variation in the genome of Haemonchus contortus. In: Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria, Curitiba, Brazil Beech R, Liang J, Nabhan J (2008) Ligand-gated ion-channels in the genome of Haemonchus contortus. In: Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria, Curitiba, Brazil Beech R, Liang J, Nabhan J (2008) Ligand-gated ion-channels in the genome of Haemonchus contortus. In: American Society of Parasitologists, Arlington, Texas
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Beech R, Redman E, Mungall K, Berriman M, Gilleard J (2008) Sequence variation in the genome of Haemonchus contortus. In: American Society of Parasitologists, Arlington, Texas Frank A, Beech R (2008) A potential binding site for a novel anthelmintic drug. In: First Annual GRASP Symposium, Nov 24, 2008, Montreal
5. Grants held
2005 – 2006 NSERC Research, $28,000, Beech RN
Ayerst Canada, $120,000, Prichard RK, Beech RN, Ribeiro P, Georges E, Scott ME (Responsible for $40,000)
FQRNT, Government of Quebec. “Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions”. Regroupements Strategiques Centre grant. Spithill along with 30 others from across Quebec. $345,800 pa. for 2005-2006.
Center for Host-Parasite Interactions. New Initiatives grant. Beech RN, Dent JA, Prichard RK and Geary TG $30,500 (Responsible for $30,500)
2006 – 2007 FQRNT, Government of Quebec. “Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions”. Regroupements Strategiques Centre grant. Spithill along with 30 others from across Quebec. $345,800 pa. for 2006-2007.
Center for Host-Parasite Interactions. New Initiatives grant. Beech RN, Dent JA, Prichard RK and Geary TG $30,500 (Responsible for $30,500)
2007 - 2008 FQRNT, Government of Quebec. “Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions”. Regroupements Strategiques Centre grant. Spithill along with 30 others from across Quebec. $345,800 pa. for 2007-2008.
Center for Host-Parasite Interactions. New Initiatives grant. Beech RN, Dent JA, Prichard RK and Geary TG $28,500 (Responsible for $28,500)
2008 - 2009 NSERC Research, $27,000, Beech RN
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FQRNT, Government of Quebec. “Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions”. Regroupements Strategiques Centre grant. Spithill along with 30 others from across Quebec. $345,800 pa. for 2007-2008.
Center for Host-Parasite Interactions. New Initiatives grant. Beech RN, Dent JA, Prichard RK and Geary TG $28,500 (Responsible for $28,500)
7. Refereeing and Editorial Work
Ad hoc reviewer for International Journal of Parasitology, Journal for Parasitology, Veterinary Parasitology Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
Grant reviewer for The Wellcome Trust
8. Other Scientific Activities
Maintenance of the website for the Consortium on Anthelmintic Resistance and SNPs
B. Teaching and Graduate Supervision 1. Courses taught
BTEC 501 Bioinformatics (23 students) Fall 2008 a. Q10 4.5 b. Q21 4.2
BTEC 501 Bioinformatics (6 students) Winter 2009 c. Q1 4.5 d. Q3 4.5
AEBI 202 Cellular Biology (77 students) Winter 2009 This course is coordinated by Prof Ribeiro. I was responsible for 1/3 of the lectures. e. Q1 4.1 f. Q3 3.9
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3a. Students Graduated
Alex Frank, Non-Thesis MSc in Biotechnology. Supervised from May to December 2008 for laboratory placement. Poster presentation: Frank A, Beech R (2008) A potential binding site for a novel anthelmintic drug. In: First Annual GRASP Symposium, Nov 24, 2008, Montreal
3b. Students Supervised Rushini Perera PhD, enrolled September 2008, paid $16,000
C. Administrative Activities Committees:
PhD Thesis Examination Committee, Pro Dean Carolina Perez-Locas, Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry
PhD Thesis Examination Committee, Member Mara Leimanis, Institute of Parasitology
MSc Thesis, External Examiner Sergey Mokin, Biology
MSc Thesis, Challenge Committee Member Tania Matchula, Natural Resource Sciences
MSc Thesis Proposal, Chair Andrea Rauba, Institute of Parasitology Pablo Godoy, Institute of Parasitology
PhD Transfer, Chair Smriti Kala, Institute of Parasitology Louis-Philippe Leroux, Institute of Parasitology
PhD Thesis Proposal Examination, Chair Rona Strasser, Institute of Parasitology
PhD Thesis Proposal Examination, Member Hamed Shatiri, Institute of Parasitology
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
PhD Supervisory Committee Member Hamed Shateri, Institute of Parasitology Vanessa Dufour, Institute of Parasitology Nick Patocka, Institute of Parasitology Elizabeth Ruiz, Institute of Parasitology
MSc Supervisory Committee Member Pablo Godoy, Institute of Parasitology Virginie Barriere, Institute of Parasitology
4. Administrative Appointments Macdonald Campus, Chair of the Environmental Committee Institute of Parasitology, Graduate Program Director Institute of Parasitology, Website Administrator Institute of Parasitology, Acting Director
D. International Activities None
E. Consulting None
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
ACTIVITY REPORT 2008 – 2009
Name: Florence S. Dzierszinski [appointment Dec 1st, 2006]
Date: July, 2009
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY [Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2008]
1. Publications
a) Publications in REFEREED Journals * Pepper M, Dzierszinski F, Wilson E, Tait E, Fang Q, Yarovinsky F, Laufer TM, Roos D, Hunter CA. 2008 (May). Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are activated by Toxoplasma gondii to present antigen and produce cytokines. J Immunol. 180: 6229-6236. IF 2007 = 6.000 * Dzierszinski FS, Hunter CA. 2008 (April). Advances in the use of genetically engineered parasites to study immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. Parasite Immunol. 30: 235-244. Invited Review. IF 2007 = 2.523
b) Publications in REFEREED Conference Proceedings
* Tait E, Wilson E, Harris T, Jordan K, Pepper M, Dzierszinski F, Roos D, and Hunter CA. Dendritic cell responses during acute infection and different strains of Toxoplasma gondii determine CD8+ T cell responses and parasite burden. Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting X, April 2008, Woods Hole, MA, USA. * Jordan K, Dzierszinski F, Roos DS, Liou H and Hunter CA. c-Rel is required for the generation and maintenance of the CD8+ T cell response to Toxoplasma gondii. Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting X, April 2008, Woods Hole, MA, USA. * Goyette S, Santamaria C, Ndao M, Ward GE, Spithill TW, Dzierszinski F and Ward BJ. Development of a subunit vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on the ectodomain of TgAMA-1. 21st Annual Canadian Society for Immunology Conference, April 2008, Mont-Tremblant, Qc, Canada. * Goyette S, Santamaria C, Ndao M, Ward GE, Spithill TW, Dzierszinski F and Ward BJ. Development of a subunit vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on the ectodomain of TgAMA-1. Center for Host Parasite Interactions 8th Annual Symposium, June 2008, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
c) Other Publications
* “Canadian women advance science to new frontiers”. CHR – Canadians for Health Research (national not-for-profit organization). October 2008.
2. Conference presentations and invited lectures Invited Lecture
* Dzierszinski F. De la phase aiguë à la phase chronique: interactions entre le protzoaire parasite Toxoplasma gondii et les voies de presentation d’antigènes dans la cellule hôte. 4ème Colloque international francophone de microbiologie animale, Université de Montréal & CRIP, September 21-24, 2008.
Conference Presentations
* Dzierszinski F. The North East Toxoplasma retreat. Minary Conference Center, Holderness, NH, USA. January 10-12, 2008. * Dzierszinski F. De la phase aiguë à la phase chronique: interactions entre le protzoaire parasite Toxoplasma gondii et les voies de presentation d’antigènes dans la cellule hôte. 4ème Colloque international francophone de microbiologie animale, Université de Montréal & CRIP, September 21-24, 2008. * Tait E, Wilson E, Harris T, Jordan K, Pepper M, Dzierszinski F, Roos D, and Hunter CA. Dendritic cell responses during acute infection and different strains of Toxoplasma gondii determine CD8+ T cell responses and parasite burden. Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting X, April 2008, Woods Hole, MA, USA. * Jordan K, Dzierszinski F, Roos DS, Liou H and Hunter CA. c-Rel is required for the generation and maintenance of the CD8+ T cell response to Toxoplasma gondii. Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting X, April 2008, Woods Hole, MA, USA. * Goyette S, Santamaria C, Ndao M, Ward GE, Spithill TW, Dzierszinski F and Ward BJ. Development of a subunit vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on the ectodomain of TgAMA-1. 21st Annual Canadian Society for Immunology Conference, April 2008, Mont-Tremblant, Qc, Canada. * Goyette S, Santamaria C, Ndao M, Ward GE, Spithill TW, Dzierszinski F and Ward BJ. Development of a subunit vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on the ectodomain of TgAMA-1. Center for Host Parasite Interactions 8th Annual Symposium, June 2008, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
3. Supervision of and collaboration with postdoctoral fellows and other
visitors - Dr Manami Nishi, supervision (June 2007 – present) - Dr Mae Huynh, collaboration (University of Michigan, Dr V. Carruthers’ lab)
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
- Dr Anne Schwab, collaboration (McGill University, Dr T. Geary’s lab)
4. Organization and participation in advanced seminars (beyond regular teaching assignments)
Organization/Advertisement/Accommodation of the following external invited guest seminar speakers:
1. Dr. Ana Sanchez, Brock University, “The Epidemiology of Taenia solium in Honduras”, May 2nd, 2008. 2. Dr. Silvina Fernandez, University of Guelph, “Population dynamics of gastrointestinal nematodes in Canadian flocks”, June 11th, 2008. 3. Dr. Marc-Jan Gubbels, Boston College, “Genetic Dissection of Toxoplasma th gondii host cell invasion and division”, June 20 , 2008. 4. Dr. Paul Wiseman, Depts of Physics and Chemistry, McGill, “Exploiting higher harmonics of light… SHG & THG for mapping collagen structure in heart tissue and malaria infection in blood cells without exogenous labeling”, November 28th, 2008.
5. Grants held - 3-yr. period: 2006-07; 2007-08; 2008-09. 1. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Individual Discovery Grants Program April 2007-March 2012, $35,059.00 per year.
2. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Research Tools and Instruments Program (RTI – category 1) October 2006 competition, $30,583.00
3. Canada Research Chair (CRC Tier 2 in Parasite Pathogenesis) April 2007-March 2012, $100,000.00 per year, renewable once.
4. Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). April 2007, $375,000.00
5. Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions (CHPI) / Le Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT); New Initiatives Program Joint grant Dzierszinski F (principal investigator, McGill) /Jardim A (McGill) / Desjardins M (Université de Montréal) March 2007: awarded, $28,468.00 for 1 year. March 2008: renewed, $28,468.00 6. March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award 2008 competition: awarded. $150,000.00, 2 years.
Fellowships & Scholarships Awarded to Lab Members
1. Canada summer Jobs 2007 to Allison Nicholls, U2, UVic co-op program, $1,400.00
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
2. CIHR doctoral research award to Stephanie Goyette, PhD Parasitology Graduate Program, McGill, $21,000 (plus $1,000 research allowance) per year for 3 years.
3. Lynden Laird Scholarship for studies in Parasitology to Louis-Philippe Leroux, MSc thesis Parasitology Graduate Program, McGill. $14,000.00 per year for 3 years.
4. FQRNT v2 merit postdoctoral fellowship to Dr Manami Nishi, $35,000.00, 1 year.
5. NSERC USRA, summer 2008, to Geneviève Dallaire (Micr., U2), $4,500.00
6. Canada Summer Jobs 2008 (Bassel Nazha), $1,636.25 7. Canada Summer Jobs 2009 (David Colatriano), $1,800 8. NSERC fellowship to Geneviève Dallaire, MSc thesis Parasitology Graduate Program, McGill
6. Honors and Awards received
* Canada Research Chair tier 2 in Parasite Pathogenesis (April 2007) * Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, March of Dimes Foundation
7. Refereeing and editorial work
* Scientific journals: - Immunology - Infection and Immunity - PLoS ONE - Molecular BioSystems
* Grants: - NSF - National Science Foundation, Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. External grant reviewer. May 2008.
- NSERC Discovery grants. Reviewer. 2008 competition.
8. Other scientific activities
* Ongoing/Active research collaborations: - Armando Jardim, McGill University - Marilyn Scott and Kris Koski, McGill University - Samantha Gruenheid, McGill University - Michel Desjardins, Université de Montréal - David Bzik, Dartmouth University - Huan Ngo, Northwestern University - Ira Blader, University of Oklahoma - Vern Carruthers, University of Michigan
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
- David S. Roos, University of Pennsylvania - Christopher A. Hunter, University of Pennsylvania - Marie-France Cesbron-Delauw, Université de Grenoble, CNRS - Laura Knoll, University of Madison -Wisconsin
* Chairing: - Session on Infection and Immunity, 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, June 2008. * Memberships: - Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, McGill University and FQRNT - Canadian Society for Immunology * Knowledge translation / dissemination activities: - CIHR Synapse mentor (2007-) - Member McGill “Let’s Talk Science” Partnership program (2008-) - “Academia Day”, McGill Career Centre 's Graduate Career Week, March 10th 2008, Participant.
* Invitations: - “Inventing the future: Ideas for the 21st Century” (CRCs national celebration), March 27th, 2008, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC - “Applause” (Prof D. Thérien, VP Research and International Relations, celebration of McGill University’s research excellence) February 19th 2008, Montreal Science Centre.
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Courses taught and evidence of effectiveness:
FALL 2008 SEMESTER COMMENT: scores are provided according to Q10 = “Overall, the instructor is a good teacher”, and Q21 = “Overall, this is a good course”
a. PARA 438 (Immunology) - Coordinator: Dr. Florence Dzierszinski Dzierszinski, F.: 26 lectures, exam preparation and grading Faubert, GM.: 13 lectures Mean Q10 = 3.6 ± 1.2; Mean Q21 = 4.1 ± 0.6; Response rate: 58.3%
b. MIMM 414 (Advanced Immunology) - Coordinator: Dr. Sylvie Fournier - Two lectures: Subversion of the host immune responses by the intracellular parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Theileria sp. - Participated to exams (2 questions) and grading of exams and term papers Mean Q10 = 4.2 ± 0.6; Mean Q21 = 3.9 ± 0.5; Response rate: 36.1%
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
c. PARA 655 (Host-Parasite Interactions) - Coordinator: Dr. Roger Prichard - One lecture: “Immunity to parasites” Mean Q10 = 4.8 ± 0.4; Mean Q21 = 4.6 ± 0.9; Response rate: 55.6%
d. ANSC 323 (Mammalian Physiology) - Coordinator: Dr. Sarah Kimmins - One lecture: “Overview of the immune system” No evaluation available
e. MICR481 (Microbiology Projects) - Coordinator: Dr. Lyle Whyte Student: Geneviève Dallaire. Lab research, written assignments, final oral exam No evaluation available
WINTER 2009 SEMESTER COMMENT: scores are provided according to Q1 = “Overall, this is an excellent
course”, and Q3 = “Overall, this instructor is an excellent teacher” a. PARA 635B (Cell Biology and Infection) - Coordinator: Dr. Florence Dzierszinski - Three lectures: a. “Antigenic variation in bacteria and protozoa” b. “Cell biology of antigen presentation” c. “Deconvolution and confocal microscopy”
*Note: I developed a lab component, in order for graduate students to better grasp the content of the papers that were analyzed in this course - Grading Mean Q1 = 4.1 ± 0.7; Mean Q3 = 4.6 ± 0.8; Response rate: 87.5%
b. PARA 515 (Health hazards of water-borne biological agents and chemicals) - Coordinator: Dr. Tim Geary - One lecture: “Toxoplasma gondii as water-borne biological hazard”. Mean Q1 = 4.8 ± 0.5; Mean Q3 = 3.5 ± 1.0; Response rate: 72.7%
c. MICR 482 (Microbiology Projects) - Coordinator: Dr. Lyle Whyte Student: Chadi Berjaoui. Lab research, written assignments, final oral exam No evaluation available
2. Supervision of undergraduate projects
a. Geneviève Dallaire (Jan 2008 – December 2008); McGill, FAES, U2-3 Microbiology major. MICR481 & 482 (Microbiology Projects; Winter 08 & Fall 08) and Summer project. Support: NSERC USRA (Summer 2008) and NSERC (Discovery grant to FD).
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
b. Chadi Berjaoui (Jan 2009 – December 2009); McGill, FAES, U2-3 Microbiology major. MICR481 & 482 (Microbiology Projects; Winter 08 & Fall 08)
c. David Colatriano (May 2009 - ). U2 Dept of Microbiology and Immunology. Support: Canada Summer Jobs and NSERC (Discovery grant to FD).
d. Karen Canales (May 2009 - ). U2 Microbiology major. Summer project. Support: NSERC (Discovery grant to FD).
e. Katia De Marco (May 2009 - ). U3 Environment major. Summer project. Support: NSERC (Discovery grant to FD).
f. Erica Seccareccia & Lauren Kay (Summer 2008). Supervisors: Drs Marilyn Scott & Kris Koski. Role: flow cytometry experiments and data analysis. Summer projects.
3. Graduate student currently being supervised:
a. Louis-Philippe Leroux (2007-present, MSc/PhD thesis Parasitology Graduate Program, McGill - Interactions between T. gondii and the MHC-II antigen presentation pathway. Support: Lynden Laird Scholarship for studies in Parasitology. $14,000.00 per year.
b. Stéphanie Goyette (2007-present), PhD Parasitology Graduate Program, McGill – Interactions between T. gondii and CD8 T cells in immune privileged areas. Co- supervision with Dr Brian Ward (McGill). Support: CIHR doctoral research award, $21,000 (plus $1,000 research allowance) per year.
c. Madhavi Latha Vemuri (June 2008-Nov 2008), MSc (Applied) in Biotechnology, McGill.
d. Geneviève Dallaire. McGill Parasitology MSc 2009-
e. Maurice Odiere (2008-2009). PhD thesis Parasitology. Supervisors: Drs Marilyn Scott & Kris Koski. Role: training in flow cytometry experiments and data analysis.
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Committees - Department/Faculty/University
a. Curriculum Graduate Studies committee, Institute of Parasitology. Member (January 2007-present).
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
b. Scholarships committee, Institute of Parasitology, McGill University. Member (January 2008-present). Including selection for: Tomlinson doctoral fellowship, Max E. Binz fellowship, Max Stern fellowship, Principal’s Graduate Fellowships, departmental selection / ranking of NSERC PhD applications, CHPI Bridging Funds.
c. Faculty search committee 2008, Institute of Parasitology, McGill University. Member (Junior position, replacement for Prof. G. Faubert)
d. Macdonald campus library committee, FAES, McGill University. Member (May 2007-present).
e. Small Animal Research Unit (SARU) Users Committee, FAES, McGill University. Chair (May 2008-present). Initiation of the formation of this committee, redaction of documents (presentation of the physical and staff needs of SARU to the Maconald FACC, report to the Dean regarding a possible agreement with CMARC), CCAC visit.
- Thesis Examination committees:
f. Tao Tu, PhD thesis. "Interactions among dietary Protein Intake, Immunopathology, and Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematode) Infection in Mice”. Supervisors: Profs. M.E. Scott, Institute of Parasitology and K. Koski, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Internal examiner. June 20th, 2008. g. Philippe Dufresne, PhD thesis. “Involvement of poly (A)-binding and heat shock 70 kDa proteins in Turnip mosaic virus infection”. Supervisor: Prof. M. Fortin, Department of Plant Science. External examiner. June 25th, 2008. h. Ndonkeu Tita Walter, PhD thesis. “Effect of the axenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae on the immune responses of two lepidopteran larvae, Galleria mellonella (F. Pyralidae) and Malacosoma disstria (F. Lasiocampidae)”. Supervisors: Profs. GB Dunphy (Dept of Natural Resource Sciences) & C Mandato (Dept of Anatomy and Cell Biology). External examiner. October 22nd, 2008. i. Louis-Philippe Leroux, MSc proposal exam. “Identification of genes involved in the inhibition of activation and maturation of antigen presenting cells by Toxoplasma gondii” Supervisor and Examining Committee Member. November 20th, 2008.
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
j. Geneviève Dallaire, MICR 482 exam. “Are dense granule proteins involved in MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation by Toxoplasma gondii-infected host cells?” Supervisor and Examining Committee Member. November 25th, 2008. k. Rona Strasser, PhD proposal exam. “Characterization of the structure of the Leishmania donovani peroxin 14 (LdPEX14) protein translocation complex”. Supervisor: Prof. A. Jardim, Institute of Parasitology. Internal reviewer. December 3rd, 2008. l. Louis-Philipe Leroux, transfer - PhD Proposal exam. “Identification of genes involved in the inhibition of activation and maturation of antigen presenting cells by Toxoplasma gondii” Supervisor and Examining Committee Member. March 20th, 2009. m. José Estrada, PhD candidate. Graduate Committee. Supervisor: Prof. S. Fournier, Department of Microbiology & Immunology. Committee member (replacing Dr. J. Desbarats). April 15th, 2009.
2. Academic advising
3. External activities * Memberships: - Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, McGill University and FQRNT - Canadian Society for Immunology * Knowledge translation / dissemination activities: - CIHR Synapse mentor (2007-) - Member McGill “Let’s Talk Science” Partnership program (2008-) - “Academia Day”, McGill Career Centre 's Graduate Career Week, March 10th 2008, Participant.
* Invitations: - “Inventing the future: Ideas for the 21st Century” (CRCs national celebration), March 27th, 2008, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Qc - “Applause” (Prof D. Thérien, VP Research and International Relations, celebration of McGill University’s research excellence) February 19th 2008, Montreal Science Centre.
4. Administrative appointments * Administrator microscopy core facility, Institute of Parasitology, McGill. December 2006-present. Involves: student training, establishment/writing of guidelines, microscope alignments and adjustments, warranties and service contracts, dealing with users.
* Administrator flow cytometry core facility, Institute of Parasitology, McGill. December 2006-present.
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Involves: Mr Jaime Sanchez (Dec 2006-March 2008), training of Ms Kristi Bangs (April 2008-present), Mr Serghei Dernovici, dealing with technical issues, financial aspects, student training, establishment/writing of guidelines, FAES equipment pool dossier, warranties and service contracts, dealing with internal and external users for access and experimental protocols, EHS re:laser safety.
5. Other professional activities
- Fire alarm contact, Institute of Parasitology 2nd floor, McGill. Since September 2007.
D. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Involvement of Toxoplasma gondii secreted proteins in the host cell MHC pathways a. Name of Project Director: F. Dzierszinski, McGill University and David Bzik, Dartmouth University b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined 2. CSGID Toxoplasma Targets a. Name of Project Director: Huan Ngo, Northwestern University b. Nature of the activity: Research/Protein Crystalisation/Potential drug targets c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined 3. Toxoplasma gondii chitinase a. Name of Project Director: F. Dzierszinski, McGill University and Vern Carruthers, University of Michigan b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined 4. Analysis of genome-wide expression in Toxoplasma gondii a. Name of Project Director: David S. Roos, University of Pennsylvania b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
5. Toxoplasma gondii transgenic parasites to study cellular immunity a. Name of Project Directors: F. Dzierszinski, McGill University and C.A. Hunter, University of Pennsylvania b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined 6. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule proteins a. Name of Project Directors: F. Dzierszinski, McGill University and Marie-France Cesbron-Delauw, Université de Grenoble, CNRS b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: France e. Project duration: Undetermined 7. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule proteins a. Name of Project Directors: F. Dzierszinski, McGill University and Laura Knoll, University of Madison Wisconsin b. Nature of the activity: Research collaboration c. Source and level of funding: N/A d. Partner country: USA e. Project duration: Undetermined
E. CONSULTING
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Name: Timothy G. Geary
Date: 17 August 2009
A. Research and Scholarly Activities (for the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008)
1a. Publications in REFEREED Journals
Prichard, RK and Geary, TG (2008) Fresh hope to can the worms. Nature 452: 157-8.*
Moreno, Y and Geary, TG. Stage- and gender-specific proteomic analysis of Brugia malayi excretory-secretory products. PLoS NTDs 2: e326.
1b. Publications in REFEREED Conference Proceedings
Ubalijoro, E, Owen, P, Atadja, P, Mpagi, JL, Geary, TG and Wambebe, C. Infectious diseases and traditional knowledge in Africa. African Union Commissioned Paper, Experts Workshop on Research Networking and Pan African Policy on Infectious Diseases, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 17-19 Nov 2008.
2a. Invited lectures
Invited seminar: Department of Pharmacology, McGill University, 3 March 2008: Nematode neuropeptidergic systems as targets for antiparasitic drug discovery”, TG Geary
Plenary Lecturer, British Society for Parasitology Annual Meeting, Newcastle, UK, 1 April 2008: “Enabling mechanism-based screening for antiparasitic discovery in developing regions”, TG Geary
Invited Lecture: Albion College, Albion, MI 16 April 2008: “What is a parasite?”, TG Geary
Invited Lecture: Hope College, Holland, MI 18 April 2008: “Engineering yeast to find antiparasitic drugs”, TG Geary
Invited speaker, CHPI Annual Conference, UQAM Montreal, 12-13 June 2008: “Careers in industry: discovery through development”, TG Geary
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Invited speaker and panel member, 2008 Hope College Critical Issues Symposium on Global Health: from Catastrophe to Cure, Holland, MI, 1-2 October, 2008: “Achieving science-based local solutions to health problems: tropical perspectives”, TG Geary.
Invited speaker, GIBEX/Africa conference, University of Capetown, RSA, 2-3 November 2008: “High throughput drug discovery in an African context”, TG Geary and E Ubalijoro.
2b. Abstracts at conferences
Moreno, Y and Geary, T. Proteomic analysis of the secretome of Brugia malayi. CHPI Annual Conference, UQAM Montreal, 12-13 June 2008.
Schwab, AE, Geary RG, Baillargeon, P and Fecteau, G. Association of BoLA class II alleles with susceptibility to N. caninum in Quebec cattle. CHPI Annual Conference, UQAM Montreal, 12-13 June 2008.
Solomon, J, Nabhan, J and Geary T. The localization and in vitro detection of Brugia malayi secreted proteins. CHPI Annual Conference, UQAM Montreal, 12- 13 June 2008.
Mackenzie, CD, Shamad, M, Proano, R, Lovato, R, Wanji, S and Geary, T. The identification of infection in onchocerciasis endemic areas approaching parasite elimination. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 7-11 December 2008.
Moreno, Y and Geary, TG. Stage- and gender-specific proteomic analysis of Brugia malayi excretory-secretory products. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 7-11 December 2008.
3. Supervision of and collaboration with postdoctoral fellows and other visitors.
Post-doctoral fellow: co-supervised Dr. Anne Schwab with Prof. Gilles Fecteau (Université de Montréal)
Hosted a visit from Prof. Thidarut Boonmars (Khon Kaen University, Thailand) for laboratory collaboration on cloning and expression of trematode proteins (July-September).
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
5. Grants held - 3-yr. period: 2006-07; 2007-08; 2008-09
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology, 2005-2012, $50,000 (research support)
CFI, 2005-2007, $375,000
NSERC, 2006-2011, $42,556
FQRNT New Initiatives, Geary (P.I.), Spithill, Fecteau, Villeneuve, 2005-2007, $60,000 total
FQRNT New Initiatives, Spithill (P.I.), Geary, Ward, Ndao, 2005-2007, $60,000
FQRNT New Initiatives, Beech (P.I.), Prichard, Dent, Geary, 2005-2007, $60,000
FQRNT New Initiatives, Beech (P.I.), Prichard, Dent, Geary, 2007-2009, $60,000
FQRNT New Initiatives, Stevenson (P.I.), Geary, Picirillo, 2007-2009, $60,000
Novartis Animal Health, Prichard (P.I), Geary, 2007-2009, $199,360
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Award, 2008-2009, $100,000 (USD)
7. Refereeing and editorial work
Editorial Board: Journal of Parasitology; International Journal for Parasitology; Parasitology; Parasites & Vectors; PLoS-Neglected Tropical Diseases
Journal Reviewer: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology; Journal of Parasitology; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters; International Journal of Parasitology; Experimental Parasitology; Parasitology; PLoSPathogens; PLoS-NTDs; Veterinary Parasitology; Parasites & Vectors; Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
C. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Courses taught and evidence of effectiveness
PARA515: Water, Health & Sanitation Question 3 = 4.9 Question 1 = 4.8
BTEC535: Functional Genomics of Model Organisms Question 10 = 5.0 Question 21 = 5.0
PARA 655: Host-Parasite Interactions (lecturer) Question 10 (46) = 5.0 Question 21 (63) = 4.6
MIMM 413: Parasitology Question 10 (28) = 4.0 Question 21 (1) = 3.3
PARA 635: Cell Biology and Infection Question 38 (3) = 4.9 Question 1 = 4.1
Also lectured in PHAR 503 (no ratings provided)
2. Supervision of undergraduate projects
Charles Viau, summer 2008, “Characterization of cholinergic pharmacology in cut preparations of Caenorhabditis elegans” (NSERC Fellowship)
Carolyn Romero, spring 2009, “Relationship between iron ingestion and drug action in nematodes” (Honours Project)
3. List names of students who have completed their theses
Jonathan Solomon, M.Sc. program in parasitology, 2006-2008, “The localization and in vitro detection of Brugia malayi secreted proteins”.
Current location: University of Windsor School of Law.
List the names of students currently being supervised
Yovany Moreno, Ph.D. program in parasitology, 2006-; $ 20K p.a. Vanessa Dufour, Ph.D. program in parasitology, 2008-; $ p.a. (FQRNT Fellowship)
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Elizabeth Ruiz Lancheros, PhD program in parasitology, 2008-; $ p.a. (Tomlinson Fellowhsip)
Karen Guekers, MSc program in parasitology, 2008-; $ p.a. (NSERC Fellowship)
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Committees - Department/Faculty/University Animal Science/FAES/McGill: Chair recruitment committee
Plant Science/FAES/McGill: Faculty member recruitment committee
University Tenure Committee for Recruitment (Alternate)
McGill Technology Transfer (Faculty Senate)
3 External activities - appointment, publicity, extension and recruitment activities carried out.
WHO/TDR Helminth Drug Initiative Management Committee
WHO/TDR Expert Drug Advisory Committee
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Expert Advisory Panel for Antifilarial Drug Discovery Projects
Nominations Committee, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists
4. List administrative appointments
Director, Institute of Parasitology Director, Biotechnology Program Associate Member, Department of Pharmacology, McGill University
5. List other professional activities
External expert panel for proposal evaluation, Methusalem Awards 2008, University of Gent, Belgium, September 10 – 12, 2008
Panel member (two panels: malaria and protozoa/helminths, NIH-RFA-NIAID: “Development of novel interventions and tools for the control of malaria, neglected tropical diseases and their vectors”, November 19-20.
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Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
Ad hoc grant review, CIHR
WHO/TDR Antiparasitic drugs panel: grant reviewer
Expert Reviewer for Proposal submitted to International Science and Technology Partnership Canada Inc. (China-Canada partnership)
External evaluation for promotion: Prof. Ray Kaplan, University of Georgia; Prof. Dennis Kyle, University of South Florida; Prof. Ian Fairweather, Queen’s University Belfast; Prof. Robert Greenberg, University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Sean Forrester, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Thesis Committees: Neeta Thawani, Ph.D., Experimental Medicine, McGill (External member) Aissatou Diawara, M.Sc., Parasitology, McGill, Internal Examiner Amira Kassis, Ph.D., Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill (Pro-Dean) Walter Tita, Ph.D., Natural Resource Sciences, McGill (Pro-Dean) Catherine James, Ph.D., University of Technology Sydney, External reviewer Mike Osei-Atweneboana, Institute of Parasitology, McGill, Internal examiner Kevin MacDonald (Institute of Parasitology) Candice Young (Bioresources Engineering) Houtan Moshiri (Institute of Parasitology) Andrea Rauba (Institute of Parasitology) Virginnie Barriere (Institute of Parasitology) Marie-Pierre Lardeau (Parasitology/Nutrition)
E. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
a. Name of Project Director TG Geary b. Nature of the activity (research, international development, teaching, training, etc...) Research in drug discovery c. Source and level of funding Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Award, $100,000 d. Partner countries South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Sudan, Cameroon e. Project duration 1 year with follow-on proposal to be submitted in November 2009
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a. Name of Project Director Charles Mackenzie b. Nature of the activity (research, international development, teaching, training, etc...) Research on diagnostics for filarial infections c. Source and level of funding Michigan State University, $30,000 d. Partner country USA e. Project duration 1 year with follow-up application planned for January 2010
E. CONSULTING ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009)
Please indicate the number of days allocated to Consulting Activities for the period June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009 in each of the following categories:
Name: Timothy G Geary Signature: __Timothy G. Geary_____
Private Sector Public Sector Other (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) Novartis Animal Health World Health Bill and Melinda Gates 1.5 days; consultant on drug Organization/Tropical Foundation, Expert Advisory development Disease Research, Panel, 2 days Expert Drug Advisory Committee: Helminth Drug Initiative, 3 days Drug Target Prioritization Committee, 2 days
Pfizer Animal Health 0.5 days; consultant on drug development Divergence, Inc, 4 days; Scientific Advisory Board
Total : 6 days Total: 5 days Total: 2 days
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ACTIVITY REPORT 2008 – 2009
Names: Georges, E.
Date: August 2009
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
1. a) Publications in Refereed Journals:
Bélisle JM, Costantino S, Leimanis ML, Bellemare MJ, Bohle DS, Georges E, Wiseman PW. Sensitive detection of malaria infection by third harmonic generation imaging. Biophys J. 2008 Feb 15;94(4):L26-8.
2. Conference Presentation and Invited Lectures
Edaye, S., Richard-Lalonde, M., Leimamis, M.L., and Georges, E. Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance: Implication of a putative ABC transporter. Seventh Annual Quebec Parasitology Symposium, June 13-14, 2008 at Complex des Science (UQAM), Montreal Qc.
Grants Held: 2006 – 2007
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP): Molecular mechanisms of drug binding and transport $40,000 (Operating Grant) Georges, E.
FQRNT (New Initiatives Fund, FQRNT-Center Grant) Development and Characterization of Novel Ozonides (trioxolanes) as Effective Antimalarial Drugs $30,400 (Operating Grant) Georges, E (PI), Spithill, T and Just, G.
YM Biosciences Inc. A public Biotechnology Company in Toronto “Molecular Mechanism of Tesmilefene in Breast Cancer” $179,241 (Contract) Amount of this contract was spread over the two year period.
National Institute of Health Expression of ABC transporters in Pichia pastoris $145,011 (US) Gros, P. (PI), Cai, J. and Georges, E.
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Grants Held: 2007 - 2008
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP): Molecular mechanisms of drug binding and transport $40,000 (Operating Grant) Georges, E.
National Institute of Health Expression of ABC transporters in Pichia pastoris $145,011 (US) Gros, P. (PI), Cai, J. and Georges, E.
Grants Held: 2008 - 2009
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP): Molecular mechanisms of drug binding and transport $40,000 (Operating Grant) Georges, E.
7. Refereeing and Editorial Work
I review for the following journals: Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Cancer Research; Journal of Biological Chemistry; Biochemistry.
Grants: Canadian Institute of Health Research; and National Sciences and National Cancer Institute of Canada. Canadian Liver Foundation. Alberta Research Foundation.
8. Patents ISSUED
Georges, E. et. al. “B23-directed diagnostics and therapeutics for multi-drug resistant neoplastic disease”. 7,413,851; August 19, 2008.
Georges, E. et. al. “TPI-directed diagnostics and therapeutics for multi-drug resistant neoplastic disease”. 7,358,042; April 15, 2008.
Patents FILED
Georges, E. et al. “ABP-125-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 60/024,430.
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Georges, E. et al. “ABP-126-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 60/024,435.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP127-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 61/024,428.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP128-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr . Application no. 61/024,422.
Georges, E. et al. “ABP129-Directed Diagnostics for Neoplastic Disease”. Provisional patent filed on January 29, 2008 in US by Hale and Dorr. Application no. 61/024,441.
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION
1. Teaching (Biotechnology Certificate Courses)
Course Coordinator: Biotechnology Management Course 394-621A I give two lectures of the course. Speakers are selected from various sectors of the Biotech industry. In the fall of 2008, I introduced a new component to the list of lectures “Project Presentation”. Students are divided into groups of four students, with each member of the group taking a position in the formation of a new Biotechnology Company. The students, in discussions with me, must come up with a novel concept or biotechnology product that gets spun off into a McGill NewCo.
This is a wonderful medium that allows students to utilize the information provided to them during the course. The first presentation is not graded but is used to direct the students with positive feedback. The second presentation is graded and is done in the presence of a panel of three judges from Industry that includes senior members from Investment banks.
Assessment for this course is one final report of 5-8 pages and a group presentation.
Course Coordinator: Biotechnology Practicum Course 394-691. The objective of this course is to place students in Industry laboratories for a 12- week Stage working on a research project designed to yield results and a final report by the end of the Stage. At the end of the 12 weeks, each student writes a report “manuscript style”, that includes all of the experimental results in the project.
Students are assessed on one final report.
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Course Coordinator: Biotechnology Research Internship BTEC 622-625 The Research Internship is divided into four courses 622, 623, 624, and 625. The internship begins with the placement of students in Industry or Research labs in Quebec or outside Quebec for a minimum of 16 weeks. Following their placement, an initial draft of the project objectives is presented and discussed with the immediate supervisor of the student. The latter draft is then approved or modified by each student committee (three members committee) as part of a research proposal marked by all committee members. Each student is expected to submit four progress reports and two evaluations done by the immediate supervisor. All students give a final oral presentation and a report.
Director of Biotechnology Graduate Programs (Resigned from this Position in Fall 2008): The biotechnology graduate program continues on a growth path in spite of the down-sizing of the Quebec biotechnology industry. This program, with the help of many faculty, staff and students continues to improve through the addition of complementary courses and laboratory updates. A major attraction for and contributing to the continual success of this program has been our record of student placement in Industry. The coordination of the program is very time intensive, and not possible without Mr. C. Trudeau’s watchful eyes and coordination, but equally rewarding.
3. Graduate Students
List of students currently being supervised:
It should be stressed at this point that I act as a co-supervisor/committee member of all students registered to the MSc(A) in Biotechnology.
1. Rémi-Martin Laberge 2004 - 2009 Ph.D. Student Research Project: “Overcoming drug resistance: Characterization of a multi-drug resistance ABC transporter MRP1, and its role in collateral sensitivity Two publications (one published and one in press), two in preparation.
2. Raghuram Ambadipudi 2008- Ph.D. Student Research Project: “Identification and Functional Characterization of ABCC1 Interacting Proteins” Co-author on two manuscripts in preparation
3. Sonia Edaye 2009- Ph.D. Student Research Project: “The Role of PfABCG2 in Plasmodium Falciparum Biology and Drug Resistance”
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C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
FAES Ethics Committee: Member
Faculty of Management Tenure Committee: Member
Faculty of Library Tenure Committee: Member
Biotechnology Students Admission Committee: Chair (now a member)
McGill Library Committee: Member
12- Graduate Student Committees (including the Biotech. MSc(.A) graduate students’ committees): Member
E. CONSULTING
The Handbook of Regulations and Policies for Academic Staff, Chapter 7, states the following: “In addition to the performance of normal academic duties, a member of the academic staff may respond to the needs of society outside the University. This latter service, which may or may not involve financial remuneration, is hereinafter called consulting, and may include (a) the giving of professional advice in areas of the staff member’s expertise to clients whether in personal matters, industry, government or other fields; (b) lecturing to public or private groups; or (c) services related to publishing, journalism, broadcasting, artistic performances and other similar creative activities.”
Here indicated are the number of days allocated to Consulting Activities for the period Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008 in each of the following categories :
Name : _Elias Georges____ Signature : __Elias Georges______
Private Sector Public Sector Other (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) Aurelium BioPharma
Total : 4 days a month Total: Total:
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McGill University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2008-2009
Name: Armando Jardim Appointments: Institute of Parasitology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology Director for the FQRNT Centre for Host Parasite Interactions
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
1. PUBLICATIONS:
a) REFEREED JOURNALS
1. Pilar, A.V., Madrid, K.P., and Jardim, A. (2008) Interaction of Leishmania PTS2 receptor peroxin 7 with the glycosomal protein import machinery. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 158, 72-81.
2. CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES:
1. Cyr, N. and Jardim, A. (2008) The Leishmania donovani peroxin 14 undergoes a marked conformational change following association with peroxin 5. The 3rd Montreal Structural Biology Meeting, Montreal, QC, Canada 2. Caballero-Franco, C. Dufresne, L., and Jardim, A. (2008) Biochemical characterization of EspD protein from the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. The 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, QC, Canada 3. Pilar, A.V.C., Strasser, R., and Jardim, A. (2008) Quantitative assessment of the interactions between the PTS2 receptor LmPEX7 and other components of the glycosomal protein import pathway in Leishmania sp. The 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, QC, Canada 4. Cyr, N., Madrid, K.P., Aurousseau, M., and Jardim, A. (2008) Structural insights into the conformational changes occurring to the Leishmania donovani peroxin 14 upon binding to peroxin 5. The 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, QC, Canada
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5. EXTRAMURAL FUNDING (GRANTS HELD):
1. A. Jardim (PI) “Glycosome Biogenesis: The Role of LdPEX14 in Protein Targeting and Import” CIHR Operating Grant Period of funding: 2009-2010 at $100,000/yr
2. A. Jardim (PI), P. Ribeiro, R. Beech, M. Scott, R.Prichard, G. Faubert, E. Georges, K. Chadee, J. Dent, A. Descoteaux, G. Fecteau,K.Koski, G. Matlashewski, M. Olivier, M. Ouellette, B. Papadopoulou, S.Sato, M.Stevenson, A. Villeneuve, B.Ward, et al (29 members) FQRNT Regroupments Stratégiques “Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions”, period of funding 2009-2014 ( application initiated in Nov. 08) Funded $350,000/yr
4. H. Bennett (principal investigator), A. Jardim (co-applicant), J. Coulton, K. Gehring, G. Hendy, H. Le-Moual, J. Pelletier, N. Sonenberg, G. Decrescenzo. “Multi-User Protein-Protein Interaction Facility” CIHR Multi-user Maintenance Grant Period of funding: 2007-2010 at $50,000/yr
7. REFEREEING AND EDITORIAL WORK:
1. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology (Editorial Board Member)
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION
1. COURSES TAUGHT AND EFFECTIVENESS:
A) UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING:
FDSC 211 Biochemistry I * SCORES (course coordinator) Q. # 10 Q. #21 (Instructor) (Course) 4.3 4.0
B) GRADUATE TEACHING:
Biotechnology Laboratory Techniques** SCORES Course BTEC-619B (course coordinator) Q. # 10 Q. # 21 (Instructor) (Course) (Course) 4.75 4.5 * Response rate 53% responded for FDSC 211 ** Response rate 28% for the BTEC 619B
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2. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION:
1. Penny Toliopoulos NSERC USRA studentship (McGill, FAES) 2. James McClean McGill
3. GRADUATE STUDENT AND POSTDOCTORAL SUPERVISION:
1. Normand Cyr, (Ph.D. Candidate), enrolled 2006, support: FQRNT Fellowship 2. Mathieu Cambos, (Ph.D. Candidate), enrolled 2005, (co-supervised with T. Scorza at UQAM) 3. Rona Strasser, (Ph.D. Candidate), enrolled 2007, support: W. M. Stewart & Max E. Binz fellowships 4. Hiren Banerjee, (PDF), start 2007, support: CIHR 5. Maria Ait Tihyaty, (MSc Applied), 2008-2008, support: CIHR
4. STUDENTS GRADUATED
1. Ana V. Pilar, (Ph.D. 2008) Biochemical and molecular characterization of the glycosomal PTS2 import receptor peroxin 7 in Leishmania donovani - one manuscript published and two in preparation - present location: postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University
2. Celia Caballero-Franco, (Ph.D. 2008) “Studies on the interaction between gastrointestinal bacteria and epithelial cells” - one manuscript published and one in preparation - present location: postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1. COMMITTEES:
a) University: Tenure Committee (Faculty of Science)
b) Faculty: 1. Academic Program Committee 2. Faculty Agr. & Env. Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Committee 3. Committee for the Review of the Faculty Graduate Programs (M.Sc.)
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c) Departmental:
1. Fellowships Committee member
2. Graduate Student Admission Committee Parasitology member
3. M.Sc. (Applied) Biotech Admissions Committee member
4. Certificate in Biotech. Admissions Committee member
5. Curriculum Committee member
6. Board Member for the FQRNT Centre for member Host-Parasite Interactions
2. ACADEMIC ADVISING:
Graduate Student Thesis Committees: 1. Mr. R. Ambadipudi (Ph.D.) Advisor Dr. Georges 2. Mr. L.-P. Leroux (Ph.D.) Advisor Dr. Dzierzinski 2. Mr. M. Osei-Atweneboana (Ph.D.) Advisor Dr. R. Prichard 3. Mr N. Patocka (Ph.D.) Advisor Dr. Ribeiro 4. Ms. A. Tamara (Ph.D.) Advisor Dr. Ribeiro 5. Mr. H. Moshiri (M.Sc.) Advisor Dr. R. Salavati 6. Ms. K. Yam (Ph.D.) Advisor B.Cousineau
Graduate Thesis Examination Committees:
Rémi-Martin Laberge Understanding the Molecular Mechanism of Collateral Sensitivity of MDR Tumor Cells Expressing ABC Proteins Ph.D. (E. Georges, 2008)
Marie-Josée Bellemare The Malaria Pigment Hematin Anhydride: Surface Chemistry and Photoluminescence Phenomenon. Ph.D. (S. Bohle, 2008)
3. OTHER:
1. Director of the Institute of Parasitology’s Molecular Biology Core Facility
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D. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
1. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION:
1. Glycosome Biology Dr. Milind S. Patole Scientist Cell Repository National Centre for Cell Science, University of Pune, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411007 INDIA
2. Drug Discovery for Leishmania and African Trypanosomes Dr. Moses Lee, Hope College, New Holland, MI
3. Genetic and Proteomic Approach to Discovery of Immunogenic Leishmania Proteins for Immunization and Development Diagnostic Tests Dr. Ricardo Gazzinelli, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, UMASS Medical School and at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation / Federal University of Minas Gerais
E. CONSULTING:
1. American Institute of Biological Sciences, Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program FY 08, 2008 (5 days total) 2. Upstream Biosciences Inc, Vancouver, B.C. (1 day/month) Consultation on anti- Leishmania compounds 3. Conjura Pharmaceuticals LL, (New Holland, MI) (1 day/month) consulting on Design of Novel Trypanocidal Drugs
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ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2008-2009
Name: Roger Prichard
Date: July 29, 2009
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
1. Publications, calendar 2008: a) REFEREED Journals:
Prichard, R.K. & Geary, T.G. (2008) Fresh hope to can the worms. Nature, 452(7184): 157-158.
Mottier, M.L. & Prichard, R.K. (2008) Genetic analysis of a relationship between macrocyclic lactone and benzimidazole anthelmintic selection on Haemonchus contortus. Pharmacogenetics & Genomics, 18: 129–140.
Bourguinat, C., Ardelli, B.F., Pion, S.D.S., Kamgno, J., Gardon, J., Duke, B.O.L., Boussinesq, M., & Prichard, R.K. (2008) P-glycoprotein-like protein, a possible genetic marker for ivermectin resistance selection in Onchocerca volvulus. Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology, 158: 101-111.
Blackhall, W.J., Prichard, R.K. & Beech, R.N. (2008) P-glycoprotein selection in strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to benzimidazoles. Veterinary Parasitology, 152: 101-107.
Churcher, T.S., Schwab, A.E., Prichard, R.K. & Basáñez, M-G. (2008) An analysis of genetic diversity and inbreeding in Wuchereria bancrofti: implications for the spread and detection of drug resistance. PLoS Neg. Trop. Dis., 2 (4): e211 doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000211, 1 - 9.
Lespine, A., Alvinerie, M., Vercruysse, J., Prichard, R.K. & Geldhof, P. (2008) ABC transport modulation: a strategy to enhance the activity of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics. Trends Parasitol. 27 (7): 293-298.
In press, Dec. 31, 2008:
Taylor MJ, Awadzi K, Basanez MG, Biritwum N, Boakye D, Boatin B, Bockarie M, Churcher TS, Debrah A, Edwards G, Hoerauf A, Mand S, Matthews G, Osei- Atweneboana M, Prichard RK, Wanji S, Adjei O. (2009) Onchocerciasis control: vision for the future from a Ghanian perspective. Parasit. Vectors Jan 21;2(1):7.
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Diawara, A., Drake, L.J., Suswillo, R.R., Kihara, J., Bundy, D.A.P., Scott, M.E., Halpenny, C., Stothard, J.R., Prichard, R.K. (2009) Assays to detect β-tubulin codon 200 polymorphism in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. PLoS Neg. Trop. Dis. 3(3):e397. Epub 2009 Mar 24.
Rao, V.T.S., Siddiqui, S.Z., Prichard, R.K., Forrester, S.G. (2009) A dopamine- gated ion channel (HcGGR3*) from Haemonchus contortus is expressed in the cervical papillae and is associated with macrocyclic lactone resistance. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 166: 54-61.
Ardelli, B.F. & Prichard, R.K. Effects of ivermectin and moxidectin on the transcription of genes coding for multidrug resistance associated proteins and behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans. J. Helminthol. In press, 2009.
Ardelli, B.F., Stitt, L.E., Tompkins, J.B. & Prichard, R.K. A comparison of the effects of ivermectin and moxidectin on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Vet.Parasitol. In press, 2009.
Book Chapters:
Prichard, R. (2008) Drug Resistance in Nematodes. In: Antimicrobial drug resistance: Principles and practices for the clinic and bench. (Eds. D. Mayers, S. Lerner, J. Sobel & M. Ouellette), Humana Press.
In press, Dec. 31, 2008:
von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Prichard RK, Wolstenholme AJ in press. Anthelmintic resistance as a guide to the discovery of new drugs. In: Drug Discovery in Infectious Diseases (Ed. P. Selzer), Wiley-VCH.
b) REFEREED Conference Proceedings: See list below under Conference papers.
c) Other publications: e) Co-authors affiliation: Mottier MdeL., Postdoctoral fellow, Institute of Parasitology Bourguinat, C., Ph.D. student, Institute of Parasitology Pion, S.D.S., postdoctoral fellow, Imperial College, London Kamgno, J., Pasteur Institut, Cameroon Gardon, J., IRD, Bolivia Duke, B.O.L., River Blindness Foundation, UK Boussinesq, M., IRD, France
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Blackhall W.J., former Ph.D. student, Institute of Parasitology, now Institute of Parasitology, Hannover, Germany Beech R.N., Institute of Parasitology Churcher, T.S., former Ph.D. student, Imperial College, UK Schwab, A.J., Montreal General Hospital Basáñez, M.G., Imperial College, UK Lespine, A., INRA, France Alvinerie, M., INRA, France Vercruysse, J., University of Gent, Belgium Geldhof, P., University of Gent, Belgium
2. Conference presentations and invited lectures, 2008:
Invited Conference Papers and Lectures, 2008
Prichard, R.K. Understanding the mechanisms of ivermectin resistance. Menzies School of Medicine, Darwin, Australia, July 18, 2008.
Prichard, R.K. Mechanisms of nematode resistance: Genetic basis; molecular markers; practical implications; use of moxidectin; differences between moxidectin and avermectins. Fort Dodge Animal Health Anthelmintic Resistance Symposium, Princeton, NJ, USA, August 26 – 27, 2008.
Prichard, R.K. Mechanisms of anthelmintic resistance: Implications for the future of parasite control. 15th Brazilian Congress of Veterinary Parasitology. Curitiba, Brazil, September 14 – 18, 2008.
Other Conference Papers and Lectures, 2008
Rao, V., Prichard, R.K., Forrester, S.G. Cloning and characterization of a novel ligand-gated chloride channel in Haemonchus contortus. 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, June 12-13, 2008, UQAM, Montreal.
Diawara, A., Halpenny, C., Scott, M., Prichard, R. Assays to detect benzimidazole-resistance SNPs in soil transmitted helminths. 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, June 12-13, 2008, UQAM, Montreal.
Prichard, R.K., Diawara, A. Soil transmitted helminths in humans: DNA assays for benzimidazole resistance SNP in β-tubulin. Annual Meeting of the Australian Society for Parasitology, July 6-9, 2008, Glenelg, S.A., Australia.
Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Atta, S.A., Awadzi, K., Boakye, D.A., Gyapong, J.O., Prichard, R.K. Phenotypic and genotypic evidence of emerging ivermectin resistance in onchocerciasis. 57th Annual Meeting American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Dec. 7-11, 2008, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Pion, S.D., Nana-Djeunga, H., Bourguinat, C., Cabaret, J., Charvet, C., Gardon, J., Kamgno, J., Njiokou, F., Prichard, R., Wanji, S., Boussinesq, M. Dynamics of Onchocerca volvulus microfilarial loads of Cameroonian patients submitted to repeated (5-23) ivermectin treatments over 14 years (1994-2007). 57th Annual Meeting American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Dec. 7-11, 2008, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Knapp, E., Flores, R., Steger, K., Lubega, G., Nantezza, Namayanja, M., Prichard, R., Holtzman, D., Yusibov, V. Tubulin-based subunit vaccine candidates show promise in animal studies. 57th Annual Meeting American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Dec. 7-11, 2008, New Orleans, LA, USA.
3. Supervision of postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists, 2008-09:
Dr. Catherine Bourguinat Dr Rodrigo Miranda; obtained a postdoctoral fellowship from the Government of Canada
4. Organization of advanced seminars:
Member International Advisory Committee, International Congress of Parasitology, Melbourne
Chair, Scientific Programme Committee for the 2009 World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology biennial Conference, Calgary, AB, Canada
5. Grants held (PI bolded): Year Grantee(s) Agency Type Amount $ Can ______
2006/2007 Prichard NSERC Res 85,732 Prichard McGill James McGill 10,000 Prichard World Bank FRESH 19500 Prichard et al CFI IOF 288,000 Prichard, Beech Fort Dodge Contr 140,000 Yusibov, Lubega, Prichard Gates Fdn Op 600,000 Boussinesq, Prichard et al ANR, France Health & Envir €213,000 Spithill, Prichard et al FQRNT Centre 360,000 Spithill, Prichard et al McGill Centre 90,000 Prichard, Geary Novartis Contr 106,000
2007/2008 Prichard NSERC Res 85,732 Prichard McGill James McGill 10,000 Prichard et al CFI IOF 288,000 Prichard, Beech Fort Dodge Contr 140,000 Prichard, Geary Novartis Contr 106,000 Yusibov, Lubega, Prichard Gates Fdn Op 600,000 Boussinesq, Prichard et al ANR Health & Envir €213,000 Spithill, Prichard et al FQRNT Centre 360,000 Spithill, Prichard et al McGill Centre 90,000 Prichard CIHR Research 75,530 67
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2008/2009 Prichard CIHR Research 98,218 Prichard NSERC Res 85,732 Prichard McGill James McGill 10,000 Prichard Fort Dodge Contr 140,000 Prichard, Geary Novartis Contr 106,000 Jardim, Prichard et al FQRNT Centre 350,000 Dent, Prichard FQRNT Team 53,000 Jardim, Prichard et al McGill Centre 90,000 Yusibov, Lubega, Prichard Gates Fdn Op 1,000,000
6. Honours and Awards received:
James McGill Chair
Fellow, Australian Society for Parasitology
Honorary Member, European Veterinary Parasitology College
7. Refereeing and editorial work:
Member of Editorial Board of PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Referring for: Nature Lancet Journal of Parasitology Veterinary Parasitology Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Trends in Parasitology Parasitology International Journal of Parasitology PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Pharmacogenetics and Genomics Experimental Parasitology
Grant reviews for: CFI College of Reviewers NSERC MRC, UK BBSRC, UK The Wellcome Trust Government of Alberta Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada
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8. Other scientific activities:
Coordinator of the International Consortium for Anthelmintic Resistance SNPs
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION (June 1, 2008-May 31, 2009)
1. Courses taught and effectiveness:
PARA655 Host-Parasite Interactions; Coordinator and teacher Q10 = 4.4; Q21 = 4.6
PARA635 Cell Biology and Infection; teacher Q1 = 4.1; Q3 = 4.6
2. Supervision of Undergraduate projects:
Gaelle Bekolo, in B.Sc. Microbiology and Immunology program. Project: Phenotype evaluations of experimental anthelmintics on Caenorhabditis elegans
3. Graduate Student Supervision:
Students being supervised who completed during 2008-2009:
Mike Osei-Atweneboana, Ph.D. Title: “Molecular Epidemiology of Emerging Ivermectin Resistance in Onchocerciasis”
Publications: 1. Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Eng, J.K.L., Boakye, D.A., Gyapong, J.O. & Prichard, R.K. (2007) Prevalence and intensity of Onchocerca volvulus infection and efficacy of ivermectin in endemic communities in Ghana: a two phase epidemiological study. Lancet 369: 2021 – 2029. 2. Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Eng, J.K.L., Boakye, D.A., Gyapong, J.O. & Prichard, R.K. (2007) Efficacy of ivermectin against Onchocerca volvulus in Ghana. Lancet 370: 1124-1125. 3. Eng J.K.L., Blackhall W.J., Osei-Atweneboana M.Y., Bourguinat C., Galazzo D., Beech R.N., Unnasch, T.R., Awadzi K., Lubega G.W. & Prichard, R.K. (2006) Ivermectin selection on β-tubulin: Evidence in Onchocerca volvulus and Haemonchus contortus. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 150: 229-235. Institute of Parasitology 2008-2009
4. Churcher, T.S., Pion, S.D.S., Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Prichard, R.K., Awadzi, K., Boussinesq, M., Collins, R.C., Beatriz Muñoz, B., Whitworth, J.A., Basáñez, M-G. River Blindness control: Identifying sub-optimal responses to anthelmintics. (Submitted, PNAS). 5. Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Awadzi, K., Attah, S.K., Boakye, D.A., Gyapong, J.O., Prichard, R.K. Phenotypic evidence in adult Onchocerca volvulus, of emerging ivermectin (Mectizan®) resistance. (In preparation). 6. Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y., Boakye, D.A., Gyapong, J.O., Prichard, R.K. Phenotypic and genotypic evidence of emerging ivermectin resistance in Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of human Onchocerciasis. (In preparation).
Current Position: Senior Scientific Officer, CSIR, Accra, Ghana
Current (2008-2009 and ongoing) Graduate Students:
Vijay Rao, Ph.D. student, Sept. 2006, FQRNT bourse. Co-supervised by Dr Sean Forrester
Aissatou Diawara, Ph.D. student, Sept. 2008, FQRNT bourse
Andrea Rauba, M.Sc. student, Sept. 2007, NSERC Graduate Fellowship
Pablo Godoy, M.Sc. student, Sept. 2007, MIDEPLAN Fellowship, Chile
Virginie Barrere, M.Sc. student, Sept., 2008, supported $15,000 p.a.
Postdoctoral fellows:
Catherine Bourguinat, Sept. 2007, co-supervised with Prof. T. Geary, supported $36,000 p.a.
Rodrigo Miranda, March 2008, Government of Canada International Fellowship
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C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1. Departmental activities:
Graduate Admissions Committee, Chair
P.I. on CFI ($12,000,000) and CFI-IOF ($1,440,000) grants bringing major infrastructure to Institute of Parasitology and Faculty
Associate Director, FQRNT Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions
Search Committee for CRC Chair
2. University and Faculty activities:
Faculty Planning Committee, Chair
Faculty Nominating Committee, Member
Member of University Tenure Committee for the Desautels Faculty of Management
Member of University International Advisory Committee to VPRIR
Member, Innovation Steering Committee to VPRIR
Chair, Working Group on Values, Culture and Attitudes of Innovation Steering Committee
Member, Research Ethics Investigation Committee for VPRIR
Member, Internal Review Committee for Canada Research Chairs, James McGill Professors, and William Dawson Scholars for Provost
3. External activities:
Invited Examiner on European Union PARASOL project (€10,000,000)
Jury member of Ph.D. examination or Annelies van Zeveren, University of Gent, Belgium
4. Other professional activities:
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D. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Development of a vaccine against Trypanosomiasis a) Project Director: Dr Vidadi Yusibov, Fraunhofer Center, Newark, DE, USA b) Research c) Gates Foundation funding; d) Partner countries, USA, Uganda and Canada e) 3 years, ongoing
2. Modeling anthelmintic resistance development and spread in Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis a) Collaboration with Dr Maria-Gloria Basanez, Imperial College, London, UK b) Research and training c) MRC, UK, 5 vears of funding to Dr Basanez d) UK, France, Cameroon, Canada e) 5 years
3. Ivermectin effects on genetic selection and reproduction phenotype in Onchocerca volvulus a) Collaboration with Dr Michel Boussinesq, Institut de recherche en developpement, Paris, France b) Research and training c) WHO, IRD, River Blindness Foundation d) Canada, France, Cameroon, UK e) 4 years
4. Detection of Albendazole resistance genetic changes in Human Soil Transmitted Nematodes a) Collaboration with Dr Lesley Drake, Imperial College, London, UK b) Research, training and development c) World Bank d) UK, Kenya, Canada e) 2 years
8. Longitudinal study of responsiveness of Onchocerca volvulus in Ghana a) Dr John Gyapong, Director of the Ghana Onchocerciasis Program, Ghana b) Research, training and development c) Government of Ghana d) Ghana, Canada e) 3 years
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9. Response to benzimidazole treatment and anthelmintic resistance monitoring in human populations in Haiti a) Dr Patrick Lammie, CDC, Atlanta, USA b) Research, training and development c) Centers for Disease Control, USA d) Haiti, USA, Canada e) 2 years
E. CONSULTING ACTIVITIES (See also Appendix III) Name: Roger Prichard Signature: Roger Prichard
Private Sector Public Sector Other (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) Fort Dodge - 1 days PARASOL - 4 days Fraunhofer Center for WHO-TDR – 4 days Molecular Biotechnology (not-for-profit) – 1 day Total : 1 days Total: 8 days Total: 1 days
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ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2008
Name: Paula Ribeiro
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
1. Publications (b) Refereed conference proceedings Patocka, N. and Ribeiro, P. (2008) A closer look at the proteins involved in serotonin signaling in Schistosoma mansoni and how they modulate behaviour. Amer. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 79 (6): 89-90. El-Shehabi, F. and Ribeiro, P. (2008) Deorphanization of two novel Schistosoma mansoni G protein coupled receptor (GPCRs) using a yeast expression system. Amer. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 79 (6): 219-219.
2. Conference / invited Presentations: Ribeiro, P. (2008) Mechanisms of neurotransmission in the human bloodfluke, Schistosoma mansoni, Iowa State,University, Department of Biomedical Science, Ames, Iowa, USA. Patocka, N. and Ribeiro, P. (2008). Serotonin signaling in Schistosoma mansoni: Identifying the players involved. 8th Annual Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, Qc, Canada El-Shehabi, F. and Ribeiro, P. (2008) Deorphanization of novel GPCRs in Schistosoma mansoni. 8th Annual Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, Qc, Canada Taman, A.. and Ribeiro, P. (2008) Identification of a novel dopamine receptor in Schistosoma mansoni. 8th Annual Molecular Parasitology Symposium, Montreal, Qc, Canada
5. Grants Held: (PI marked in bold)
Applicant Funding source / Title Total / Years
Ribeiro, P. and Dent. J FQRNT Center –New Initiatives Grant 56,000 07-09 Neuronal control of development in nematodes
Ribeiro, P. NSERC Discovery Supplement Award 120,000 07-09 Molecular biology of helminths
Ribeiro, P. NSERC Discovery Grant 250,000 07-11 Molecular biology of helminths
Spithill , T. et al FQRNT Center Grant 2,074,800 03-09 Center for Host Parasite Interactions
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7. Editorial Work / Refereeing:
“Ad Hoc” reviewing of manuscripts: International Journal for Parasitology, Genetics; Neuropharmacology, Proceedings of the Royal Society (B) “Ad Hoc” reviewing of grants: NSERC Member of the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Zoology Grant / Award selection committees o NSERC Steacie Fellowships Selection Committee 2007-08 (committee member) o NSERC Discovery Grant Program Structure for the Life Sciences (consultant)
8. Other Scientific Activities: Collaborations Ongoing collaborations with: Dr. J. Dent, Department of Biology, McGill University Dr. Michael Kimber, Iowa State University, US
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENTS SUPERVISION (June 1, 2008- May 31, 2009)
1,2. Courses Taught:
Course # Duties Contact hrs Enrolment (approx.) Biotech Lab BTEC 620 Course director 35 hrs (labs and 20 (lectures) Cell Biology AEBI 202 Course director 30 hrs (labs and 80 lectures) Parasitology PARA 606/607 Coordinator - 4 Seminar 1 Parasitology PARA 710/711 Coordinator - 8 Seminar 2
Teaching Evaluations: Question 10* Question 21** Biotech Lab BTEC 620 4.80 4.60 Cell Biology AEBI 202 4.40 4.10
*overall, the instructor is a good teacher (#10 in new Mercury form) ** overall, this is a good course (#1 in new Mercury form)
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3. Supervision of HQP:
(a) Students who have graduated
Hana Goto Degree B.Sc. (senior project) Project title: The role of serotonin and its receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans Funding : NSERC b) Students being supervised
Fouad El-Shehabi Degree: Ph.D. Starting date: September 2002 Thesis Title: Properties of biogenic amine receptors in Schistosoma mansoni Funding: NSERC
Nick Patocka Degree: Ph.D. Thesis Title: Identification of a monoamine transporter in Schistosoma mansoni Starting date: Jan 2005 (Transferred from M.Sc.) Funding; FQRNT scholarship
Amira Taman Degree: Ph.D Project Title: Glutamate receptors in Schistosoma mansoni Starting date: January 2006 Funding: International scholarship
Kevin Macdonald Degree: Ph.D. Thesis Title: Mechanisms of cholinergic signaling in flatworms Starting date: Sept 2008 Funding; NSERC
c) Research Assistants / technicians Laura Sayeg Research Assistant 2007 – 08 Mohammed Rashid Summer student 2008
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C. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009)
1. Committees :
Departmental Curriculum Committee Chair Scholarships Committee Chair Departmental Safety Officer Chair Biotechnology Committee committee member Seminar series coordinator
Faculty Macdonald Faculty Committee Safety Committee Chair University Tenure Committee (FAES) committee member Graduate Program Review Committee (Ph.D.) committee member New Life Sciences major – Directly involved staff member
University University Laboratory Safety Committee Macdonald representative University Teaching Laboratory Working Macdonald representative Group (UTLWG) NSERC Steacie Fellowships Member (McGill internal selection committee)
D. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES N/A
E. CONSULTING ACTIVITIES N/A
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ACTIVITY REPORT 2008 - 2009
Name: Petra Rohrbach Date: 28 July 2009 Please note: I joined McGill University on November 16, 2008. Therefore, this report is primarily reflective of my work as a Postdoctoral Fellow.
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY (For the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008)
1. a) Publications in REFEREED Journals
* Friedrich O, von Wegner F, Chamberlain JS, Fink RHA, Rohrbach P (2008) L-Type Ca2+ Channel Function Is Linked to Dystrophin Expression in Mammalian Muscle. PLoS ONE 3(3): e1762.
b) Publications in REFEREED Conference Proceedings. None
c) Other Publications. (Include books, lecture notes, publications in non-refereed Conference Proceedings, technical reports, etc.) None
2. Conference presentations and invited lectures. Include authors, titles, conference dates and locations. Invited lecture: Petra Rohrbach, “Live cell imaging of Plasmodium falciparum: Shedding light on multi-drug resistance”, June 2008, CNRS / University of Montpellier, France.
3. Supervision of and collaboration with postdoctoral fellows and other visitors.
Collaborations: Oliver Friedrich (Privat Dozent), Medical Biophysics Group, Institute of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Germany. Alexander Rotmann (postdoctoral fellow), Department of Parasitology, Heidelberg University, Germany.
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Supervision: Nicole Sturm (PhD student visitor), Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
4. Organization and participation in advanced seminars None
5. Grants held - 3-yr. period: 2006-07; 2007-08; 2008-09 None
6. Honors and Awards received. January 2008: Habilitation in Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
7. Refereeing and editorial work. Refereeing: Biochemical Pharmacology, May 2008, Full length article, accepted.
8. Other scientific activities. Chaired PhD oral defense of Remi Laberge, Dec 2008, McGill University
Collaboration with the research group of Katja Becker group, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Assisting with live cell imaging and microscopy experiments for various research projects of the group. A PhD student and a technician were trained by me to perform these experiments during this time.
Co-supervision of Andreas Raabe (PhD student), group of Henri Vial, University of Montpellier, France. The student was trained to use live cell imaging for the completion of his PhD by myself and I was supervising/assisting him on this section of the project.
D. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Courses taught and evidence of effectiveness: Heidelberg University: Scientific training in Parasitology (6-weeks).
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McGill University: Cell Biology and Infection - Winter 2009 - PARA-635-001 My Role: Section Designer/Section Instructor Score for questions 10 and 21 are not evaluated for my section, however, the evaluation for my part was mostly at or over the mean of the department.
2. Supervision of undergraduate projects. None
3. a. List names of students who have completed their theses under your supervision, the duration of that supervision, title of thesis, papers, even if not joint, which may have resulted from the thesis and present location of the student. Nicole Kilian (MSc equivalent), 08-2007 to 06-2008, “Isolation of scFV antibodies against transmembrane proteins of Plasmodium falciparum”, Department of Parasitology, Heidelberg University, Germany. Presently in PhD program, Heidelberg University, Germany.
b. List the names of students currently being supervised, the program and year of enrolment and the support paid to each student. Karen Geukers, MSc McGill student admitted September 2008, supported by an NSERC Fellowship. I am co-supervising this student along with Prof. Timothy Geary.
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009).
1. Committees - Department/Faculty/University MAUT (as of March 2009), McGill University, council member. Animal Care Committee (as of April 2009), McGill University, Macdonald campus, member.
2. Academic Advising - Indicate number of undergraduate students advised. None
3. External None
4. List administrative appointments. None
5. List other professional activities. None
F. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009 None
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ACTIVITY REPORT 2008 - 2009
Name: Reza Salavati
Date: 29 July 2009
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY (All of Section A with the exception of A.5. is for the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008)
1. Publications a) Refereed Journals: 1. Najafabadi, H.S., Salavati, R. (2008) Sequence-based prediction of protein- protein interactions by means of codon usage. Genome Biol. 9(5):R87. b) Other Publications: 1. Salavati, R. (2008) Webct lecture notes Biochemistry I (FDSC 211) 2. Salavati, R. (2008) Webct lecture notes and laboratory manual BTEC555 3. Salavati, R. (2008) Lecture notes Experiments in biotechnology (AEBI 306)
2. Conference presentations and invited lectures 1. Salavati, R “Protein-protein interaction in parasites”. University of Montreal, Department of Biochemistry. Montreal, Canada. Host: Dr. Gertraud Burger, Feb 2008 2. Mao, Y., Najafabadi, H.S., Salavati, R. 2008. “Prediction and characterization of regulatory RNAs in Trypanosoma brucei”. Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 3. Najafabadi, H.S., Salavati, R. 2008. “Homology-independent annotation of Trypanosoma brucei genome”. Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 4. Moshiri, H., Salavati, R. 2008. “Fluorescence-based reporter substrate for monitoring RNA editing in Trypanosomatid pathogens”. Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 5. Mao, Y., Najafabadi, H.S., Salavati, R. 2008. “Putative structural RNAs in Trypanosoma brucei.” Robert Cedergren Bioinformatics Colloquium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 6. Najafabadi, H.S., Salavati, R. 2008. “Codon usage as a universal mechanism for synchronization of gene expression.” Robert Cedergren Bioinformatics Colloquium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 7. Shaneh, A., Berger, G., Salavati, R. 2008 “Inferring Structural Homology of Oligonucleotide/saccharide Binding Folds of Kinetoplastid RNA Editing Proteins A.” Robert Cedergren Bioinformatics Colloquium. Montreal, Qc, Canada. 8. Shaneh, A., Traian, S., Purisima, E., Salavati, R. 2008 “The Molecular Dynamics Studies of Kinetoplastid RNA Editing Ligases.” GRASP Symposium. Montreal, Qc, Canada.
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3. Grants held - 3-yr. period: 2006-07; 2007-08; 2008-09
1. Structural and functional organization of the editosome in trypanosomatids Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: NSERC Type of Grant: Operating Amount of Grant: $173,730 Yearly installment: $34,746 Duration: from: 04/1/2006 to 03/31/2011
2. Structural organization of the editosome in trypanosomatids Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: CFI Leader opportunity fund Type of Grant: Infrastructure Amount of Grant: $375,000 Duration: from: 06/20/2006 to 06/30/2008
3. Structural organization of the editosome in trypanosomatids Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: CFI infrastructure operating fund 3 Type of Grant: Infrastructure and operating Amount of Grant: $30,000 Duration: from: 06/20/2006 to 06/30/2011
4. RNA as the catalyst for screening drugs against trypanosomatids Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: NIH Type of Grant: Operating Amount of Grant: $ 153,000 Duration: from: 06/30/2006 to 06/30/2009
5. Architecture of trypanosomatids KREPA control of editosome function Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: FQRNT CENTRE FOR HOST-PARASITE INTERACTIONS Type of Grant: New Initiatives Amount of Grant: $28,500 Duration: from: 04/1/2007 to 03/31/2009
6. Structure-based design of trypanosomatid-specific inhibitors of RNA ligases Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: CIHR (Salavati, R., PI) Type of Grant: Operating Amount of Grant: $100,000 Duration from: 03/1/08 – 02/28/10
7. Systems Analysis of Trypanosomatids Genomes towards Drug Target Discovery Principal Investigator: Reza Salavati Granting agency: CIHR
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Type of Grant: Operating Amount of Grant: $100,000 Duration from: 03/1/09 – 02/28/11
8. CIHR Strategic Training Program in Chemical Biology Principal Investigator: David THOMAS Granting agency: CIHR Type of Grant: training Amount of Grant: $2,241,325 Duration from: 2009-10
4. Refereeing work Reviewed papers in RNA and PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases NSERC grant applications
B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION.
1. Courses taught and evidence of effectiveness a) BTEC555 structural Bioinformatics Overall, the instructor is a good teacher: 4.0 Overall, this was a good course: 4.0 b) PARA635 Cell Biology and infection Overall, the instructor is a good teacher: 4.4 Overall, this was a good course: 4.2 c) FDS211 Biochemistry I Overall, the instructor is a good teacher: 4.5 Overall, this was a good course: 4.0
2. List the names of students who have completed their theses under your supervision, the duration of that supervision, title of thesis, papers, or which may have resulted from the thesis and present location of student.
1. Houtan Moshiri (M.Sc.) 2006-2008: Fluorescence-based reporter substrate for monitoring RNA editing in Trypanosomatid pathogens (manuscript in preparation); currently Ph.D. candidate in my laboratory.
2. Gaetano Cianciarelli M.Sc. (applied) May 2008- Dec 2008: Identification of novel antibodies specific for the 20S editosome of T. brucei using the S. cerevisiae scFv surface display library. Currently employed by Canada Health
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3. Yuan Mao M.Sc. (applied) May 2008- Dec 2008: McGill University “Genome- wide computational identification of functional RNA elements in Trypanosoma brucei” (BMC Genomics, In Press). Currently employed in my laboratory as Research Assistant
4. List the name of currently students currently being supervised, the program and year of enrolment and the support paid to each student
1. Alireza Shaneh (Ph.D.) 2006: Characterization of RNA editing ligases in trypanosomes (NSERC)
2. Houtan Moshiri (Ph.D.) 2008: High throughput screening of chemical compounds against the editosome (CIHR)
3. Smriti Kala (Ph.D.) 2006: Characterization of the proteins with an OB-fold in the editosome (NSERC and Harper’s)
4. Hamed Shateri Najafabadi (Ph.D.) 2007: Drug targets in trypanosomes (McGill majors and CIHR)
5. Rajashree Sen (MSc) 2008: Characterization of the RNA editing ligases and their interacting partners in the editosome (CIHR)
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1. Committees - Department/Faculty/University
Faculty IT committee member 2006-present Faculty undergraduate recruitment committee member 2006-present Faculty McGill Centre for Bioinformatics scholarship committee 2006-present Institute fellowships committee member 2007-present Biotechnology M.Sc. applied admission committee member 2008-present
Academic Advising- Graduate student examination committee Robert Annan (Ph.D.) Mara Leimanis (Ph.D.) Nitnipa Soontorngun (Ph.D.) Rona Strasser (Ph.D.) Deena M.A. Gendoo (Ph.D.)
2. External activities
Co-supervisor for bioinformatics graduate students enrolled at the UdeM. Associate member in Department of Biochemistry, McGill University Member, McGill Centre for Bioinformatics
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McGill University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and McGill School of Environment
ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2008-2009
NAME: Marilyn E. Scott
DATE: September 2, 2009
A. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
1. Publications in Refereed Journals (January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008)
*Scott ME. 2008. Ascaris lumbricoides: a review of its epidemiology and relationship to other infections. Annales Nestlé 66, 11-27. (Translated to French and Spanish; German translation forthcoming)
Scott ME. 2008. Ascaris lumbricoides: analyse de son épidémiologie et de ses relations à d’autres infestations. Annales Nestlé [Fr] 66, 7-22.
Scott ME. 2008. Ascaris lumbricoides: Una revisión de su epidemiología y su relación con otras infecciones. Annales Nestlé [Esp] 66, 7-22.
*Tu T, Koski KG, Scott ME. 2008. Mechanisms underlying reduced expulsion of a murine nematode infection during protein deficiency. Parasitology 135, 81-93.
Randhawa HS, Saunders GW, Scott ME, Burt MDB. 2008. Redescription of Pseudanthobothrium hanseni Baer, 1956 and description of P. purtoni n. sp. (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) from different pairs of rajid skate hosts, with comments on the host-specificity of the genus in the northwest Atlantic. Systematic Parasitology 70, 41-60.
Loaiza JR, Bermingham E, Scott ME, Rovira JR, Conn JE. 2008. Species composition and distribution of adult Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Panama. Journal of Medical Entomology 45, 841-851.
Tu T, Phillips AT, Koski KG, Scott ME. 2008. Acute phase nematode infection reduces resting metabolic rate in both protein sufficient and protein deficient mice. Canadian Journal of Zoology 86, 1432-36. ….
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Tu T, Scott ME, Sabally K, Koski KG. 2009. Tissue mineral distributions are differentially modified by dietary protein deficiency and a murine nematode infection. Biological Trace Element Research 127: 234-44.
Diawara A, Drake LJ, Suswillo RR, Kihara J, Bundy DAP, Scott ME, Halpenny C, Stothard JR, Prichard RK. 2009. Assays to detect β-tubulin codon 200 polymorphism in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 3(3): e397.
Loaiza J, Scott M, Bermingham E, Rovira J, Sanjur O, Conn JE. 2009. Short Report: Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Panama. Am J Trop Med Hyg (in press). ….
Gheorghiu C, Marcogliese DJ, Scott ME. Temporal dynamics of epidermal responses of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to a sublethal range of waterborne zinc concentrations. Journal of Fish Biology (accepted pending minor revisions, 8 June 2009).
Odiere MR, Koski KG, Weiler HA, Scott ME. Concurrent nematode infection and pregnancy induce physiological responses that impair linear growth in the murine foetus. Parasitology (under revision)
Hongoh V, Artsob H, Ogden NH, Lindsay R, Ross NA, Scott ME, Berrang-Ford L. A review of environmental determinants and risk factors for avian-associated mosquito arboviruses in Canada. Biodiversity Special Issue on Invasive Alien Species in a Changing World (submitted 1 July 2009)
2. Conference Presentations
Odiere MR, Koski KG, Scott ME. 2008. Morphological effects, parasitological outcomes and trade-offs of concurrent Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda) infection and pregnancy in CD-1 mice. Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions (CHPI) – 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, 12-13th June, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Montreal, Canada.
Diawara A, Halpenny C, Scott ME, Prichard RK. 2008. Assays to detect benzimidazole-resistance SNPs in soil transmitted helminths. Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions (CHPI) – 8th Annual Quebec Molecular Parasitology Symposium, 12-13th June, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Montreal, Canada.
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Odiere MR, Koski KG, Scott ME. 2008. Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda) infection modifies body composition in pregnant mice. Am Soc Parasitol Meeting, 27-30 June, Arlington, Texas, USA.
Gheorghiu C, Marcogliese DJ, Scott ME. 2008. Zinc toxicity in a fish- ectoparasite system. Fisheries Society of the British Isles International Symposium, Cardiff, Wales, July 21-25.
Loaiza J, Scott ME, Bermingham E, Rovira J, Conn JE. 2008. Demographic history and micro-geographic population genetics of Anopheles albimanus in Central America based on mitochondrial DNA CO1 and Cyt b sequences. Am Soc Trop Med Hyg Annual Meeting, December 5-13, New Orleans, USA. … Pérez-Jvostov F, Delaire L, Dargent Bocanegra F, Scott ME, Fussmann G. 2009. Ecological responses of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to infections with Gyrodactylus sp. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, Halifax, May 14-17.
Dargent F, Scott ME, Fussmann GF. 2009. Evolution of tolerance and resistance in a guppy-parasite system. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, Halifax, May 14-17.
3. Postdoctoral Fellows and Visitors
4. Organization of Advanced Seminars
5. Grants Held McGill Office of Research Vitamin Funds; “Benefits of Micronutrients supplements in lowering Ascaris Re-infection Rates through improved immunity and nutritional status of indigenous Panamanian Children”; (Koski and Scott); $55,000 pa (2009-2012)
NSERC Research Grant, “Host-Parasite Population Dynamics”, renewed for $44,850 pa for five years (2007-2012)
NSERC Special Research Opportunity Grant (Fussmann, Scott, Hendry, Bentzen), “Ecology and Evolution of Parasite-Host Relationships in a Real Ecosystem”; $141,400; $127,700; $82,760 (2008-2011)
SENACYT Science Against Poverty Grant from Panama (Valdez, Scott, de Arias, Calvo), Investigación científica integral sobre el impacto de los programas de transferencia condicionada en el ciclo de pobreza, $50,000 US (in total) (2008-2011)
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SENACTY International Collaboration Grant from Panama (Murillo, Scott, Koski, Sinisterra); Consumo de Café y Suplementos de Hierro: Sus Roles e Interacciones Sobre la Anemia Ferropriva, la Baja Talla para Edad y los Niveles de Infección Gastro-Intestinales en Niños Indígenas de la Comarca Ngöbe Buglé de Panamá; $91,238 US (in total) (2008-2010)
SENACYT International Collaboration Grant from Panama (Sanjur, Conn, Scott, Rovira); Estado taxonómico, estructura genética y historia demográfica del vector de malaria Anopheles punctimacula en Panamá basado en análisis de ADN mitocondrial y nuclear; $70,000 US (in total) (2008-2011)
McGill School of Environment New Initiatives (Scott, Fussmann, Hendry); “Host-Parasite Evolution and Ecosystem Dynamics during a Controlled Invasion Event”; $2000 (2007-2008)
NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grant (Wykes, Koski and Scott) Bioplex system for multiplexing microassays of biomarkers. $66,844 (2007-2008)
FQRNT New Initiatives Grant (Scott, Koski, Ortega, Ndar, Ward, Urban), “Multiple Infections and Multiple Nutritional Deficiencies: A Challenge for Innovative Approaches to Parasite Control”, $30,400 pa (2006-2008)
McGill-Panama Consortium Funding from McGill’s VP Research, Deans of Science, Arts, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and from Laval University and UQAM; (Potvin, Scott, Koski, Blanchette, McGill); $43,000 pa (2006-2008)
7. Refereeing and Editorial work
Editorial Board of Parasitology Editorial Consultant for Journal of Parasitology Associate Editor for Ecoscience Ad hoc reviews for the following journals: Infection and Immunity International Journal for Parasitology Heredity Journal of Parasitology
Grant reviews: NSERC Strategic Grant (3) NSERC Discovery Grants (2)
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B. TEACHING AND GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION
1. Courses Taught
Environment and Infection (sole instructor; 29 students; response rate 41.4%) Overall, the instructor is a good teacher: 4.7 Overall, this is a good course: 4.7
Guest Lectures AGRI 411 International Agriculture (2 hrs) PARA 655 Host-Parasite Interactions (7.5 hrs ; 11 students) Overall good instructor (5.0)
2. Undergraduate Projects
Summer Students (2008) Lauren Kay (Physiology; NSERC Summer Student) Erica Seccareccia
Summer Students (2009) Erica Seccareccia (NSERC Summer Student)
3. Graduate student supervision
Graduated Students (Effective June 1 2009)
Tao Tu, (co-supervisor with Koski); registered 2000 (on maternity leave from January – June 2005); graduated June 2008; Currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Current Students (Status Effective June 1 2009)
Jose Loaiza, Ph.D. 5; registered September 2005; SENACYT Scholarship
Carli Halpenny, PhD 4; registered September 2006; NSERC Scholarship
Maurice Odiere, PhD 4; registered September 2006; Rotary International Scholarship
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Marie-Pierre Lardeau, MSc 3: registered September 2006 in joint ad personam degree between School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition and Institute of Parasitology; will submit thesis in August 2009
Dorian Irwin Kristmanson (co-supervisor with Koski); MSc 2; registered September 2007 (School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition); will submit thesis in August 2009
Candice Scatliff (Baker); MSc (Non Thesis) 2; registered January 2008 (School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition); NSERC Scholarship; will submit final project in August 2009
Felipe Perez Jvostov (co-supervised by Gregor Fussmann, Biology); MSc 1; registered September 2008
Felipe Dargent (co-supervisor with Gregor Fussmann, Biology); PhD 2; registered September 2008; Tomlinson Postgraduate Scholarship
4. Internal/External Examiner
Internal Examiner Andrea Maldonado, Dietetics and Human Nutrition (MSc) External Examiner Vanessa Kilburn (MSc Thesis, Department of Biology)
C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1. Committees
Institute of Parasitology Member, Fellowships Committee Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Admissions Committee
McGill School of Environment Chair, MSE Council Chair, MSE Executive Committee
University Director, Quebec-Panama Consortium
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Affiliate Member, Centre for University Teaching and Learning Associate Member, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition Associate Member, Department of Natural Resource Sciences Member, McGill Working Group on the Environment Member, Standing Internal Review Committee for NSERC-related CRCs (beginning September 2009)
2. Academic Advising
Ecological Determinants of Health Domain, MSE
3. External Activities
2008-2009 Member, National Steering Committee for Environmental Labour Market Information Project, Environmental Careers Organization
4. Administrative Appointments
Director, McGill School of Environment
5. Other Professional Activities
D. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Project Director: Marilyn Scott with Kristine Koski, Victoria Valdez, Enrique Murillo, Teresita de Arias, Odalis Sinisterra, Arlene Calvo, Oris Sanjur, Jan Conn, José Rovira Nature of Activity: Nutrition-infection interactions; vector biology Source of Funding: McGill Seed Funding, RRSPQ, SENACYT Partner Country: Panama Project Duration: 3 years
E. CONSULTING (see attached)
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CONSULTING ACTIVITIES (June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009)
The “Regulations on Consulting and Similar Activities by Academic and Librarian Staff” state the following:
“In addition to the performance of normal academic duties, a member of the academic staff may respond to the needs of society outside the University. This latter service, which may or may not involve financial remuneration, is hereinafter called consulting, and may include (a) the giving of professional advice in areas of the staff member’s expertise to clients whether in personal matters, industry, government or other fields; (b) lecturing to public or private groups; or (c) services related to publishing, journalism, broadcasting, artistic performances and other similar creative activities.”
Please indicate the number of days allocated to Consulting Activities for the period June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009 in each of the following categories :
Name : ____Marilyn E. Scott_____ Signature : Marilyn E. Scott
Private Sector Public Sector Other (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) (detailed breakdown) 1 day manuscript reviews 3 days grant review
Total : Total: 4 days Total:
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