FACULTY:

Luis A. Bate, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
e-mail: bate@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Prenatal endocrine influences on development of the newborn pig.
2. Applications of microwave technology to the animal industry. (Rewarming hypothermic animals; supplementary heating of animals.)
3. Applications of maternal stimuli to modify behavioural activities of food producing animals.
4. Development of welfare oriented housing facilities for farm animals.

FACULTY:

John F. Burka, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor
e-mail: burka@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Biology of the host-parasite relationship between the copepodid parasite Lepeophtheirussalmonis  and Atlantic salmon.
2. Developing alternative sea lice management strategies.
3. Investigate the roles of stress responses on the effectiveness of current and future therapeutic agents.

FACULTY:

Catherine B. Chan, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor
e-mail: cchan@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Stimulus-secretion coupling of insulin;:  a)changes in stimulus-secretion coupling in beta cells in noninsulin-dependent diabetes and obesity;  b)beta cell gene expression in diabetes/obesity and relationship to insulin secretion; and c) role of uncoupling proteins in beta cells.
2. Evaluation of physical activity interventions for prevention of  chronic disease.

 

FACULTY:

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

      1.    Drug and Chemical Safety
                  -  Comparative Pharmacogenetics
                  -  Molecular Toxicology
      2. Cancer Research 
      3. Clinical Pharmacology

FACULTY:

Susan D. Dawson, B.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
e-mail: sdawson@upei.ca

COURSE:    Macroscopic Anatomy VBS 101

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Functional morphology, biomechanics and evolution of marine mammals.

FACULTY:

Susan Elizabeth Dohoo, D.V.M., M.Sc.
Board Certification, A.C.V.A.
Associate Professor

e-mail: sdohoo@upei.ca

Dr. Dohoo holds a part-time faculty appointment,
with teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Cynthia L. Gaskill, DVM, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
e-mail: cgaskill@upei.ca
 

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Issue in clinical toxicology
2. Adverse effects and efficacy of anticonvulsant drugs

Caroline J. Hewson, M.V.B., Ph.D
Research Chair in Animal Welfare
Assistant Professor
e-mail:   chewson@upei.ca 

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

Welfare of companion animals and horses

1. Veterinarians' use of analgesics in their patients.
2. Canine quality of life assessment.

FACULTY:

W.P. Ireland, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor
e-mail: ireland@upei.ca


CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Computational neuroscience
2. Technical and biomechanical investigations of interest to the mussel industry

FACULTY:

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Toxicity of metals to aquatic animals
2. Copper homeostasis in fish
3. Histopathology of metals exposure
4. Development of kinetic bioaccumulation models for metals Ecological Risk Assessment.

FACULTY:

T.M. Saleh, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
e-mail: tsaleh@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

Central Regulation of Autonomic Function.

1. Application of electrophysiological and neuroanatomical techniques to investigate the role of autonomic regulatory nuclei in the control of blood pressure and heart rate.
2. Investigating the role of peptides (such as substance P, neurotensin, cholecystokinin, somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptides) and hormones (estrogen) in modulating neuronal responses in cardiovascular nuclei to visceral afferent activation.
3. Investigating the involvement of neurochemicals and neurohormones in autonomic nuclei which have been implicated in the central component of baroreflex.
4. Investigation of the central nervous system regulation of baroreflex sensitivity.

FACULTY:

David E. Sims, B.A., M.Eng., Ph.D.
Professor
e-mail: sims@upei.ca

COURSE:   Microscopic Anatomy VBS 111

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Structure-function correlates in the venule wall during inflammation.
2. Role of the pericyte in microcirculation.

FACULTY:

e-mail   csong@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY
 

1. Systemic studies:   The role of inflammation in neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) by studying the relationship between inflammation (pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines), neurotransmission (neurotransmitter release, synthesis and metabolites), and behaviors (learning and memory, stress and anxiety-like, motor activity) at systemic levels.

2. Cellular and molecular studies: i) The inflammation induced apoptosis related changes in cellular signals (mRNA and protein expression) and oxidation in hippocampal neurons and neuroblastoma; ii) The interaction between neurons, astrocytes and microglia during neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration; iii) Th relationship between the expression of neurotransmitter and cytokine receptor in neurodegenerative models.

3. Development of naturally-occurring bioactive compounds to treat neurodegeneration: i) the function of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids in neuroinflammation and therapeutic mechanisms; ii) Herbal extracts to modulate inflammation-induced changes in AD and PD models

4. Clinical studies: i) Seasonal depression, melatonin and immune function; ii) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, glucocorticoid hormone and inflammatory response.

R.Andrew R. Tasker, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research
e-mail:  tasker@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

Neuropharmacology; Pharmacokinetics.
 

1. Role of AMPA/Kainate Receptors in Neurodegenerative Disease, Learning and Memory. Specifically, we use combinations of behavioural pharmacology and molecular biology to understand EAA pharmacology at both the cellular and whole animal level.
2. Investigations of the effects of environmental contaminants on wildlife health in Labrador.

FACULTY: 

Glenda M. Wright, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Professor
e-mail: gwright@upei.ca

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

1. Matrix protein characterization and chondrogenesis of non-collagenous cartilages.
2. Microfibril function in arterial diseases.
3. Cell/developmental biology of jawless craniates, fish and invertebrates.

FACULTY:

CURRENT ACTIVITY:
 

1. Serves as the veterinarian for teaching and research animals
2. Provides training in clinical techniques for research team members.
3. Serves as an exotic pet veterinarian in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
4. Teaches in classes for veterinary students, graduate students, and undergraduate students.