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I received my HBSc and PhD in Cell Biology from the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo in 2001 and 2006, respectively. I was a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine from 2006-2010.
My research program focuses on the innate antiviral immune response of animals. Viruses make double-stranded (ds)RNA during their replication within a host cell. We use cutting edge techniques from the fields of cell biology and molecular biology to study 1) the production of dsRNA by viruses and 2) the detection and response to viral dsRNA by the host cell. A better understanding of the innate immune response to virus infections could lead to the development of novel therapeutics such as antiviral drugs and vaccine adjuvants. Our currently projects are using dsRNA to knockdown virus replication and to kill cancer cells. Our dsRNA molecules are in pre-clinial trials as an inhaled trivalent antiviral therapeutic and an ovarian cancer treatment.
I support a number of different research positions within my laboratory including graduate students, undergraduate 4th year thesis students and volunteer positions. Please email me if you are interested in my research program, describing to me your research background, scientific interests and GPA.
For 2024/2025 Undergraduate research opportunities please see below:
*** Undergraduate research opportunities for 2024/2025 have now been filled ***
If you are interested in doing a 4th year thesis project or a two term 0.5 directed studies project with me and my team in starting September 2024, please submit the following documents in an email to me (sdewitteorr@wlu.ca) by January 31st, 2024:
1) A short paragraph or two describing: (i) why you want to do research and why with my team, (ii) what research you have done thus far, (iii) what is your plan after graduating (ie. how does a research experience fit into your career goals) and (iv) any specific circumstances I should know regarding your application package
2) A CV or resume
3) a copy of your unofficial transcript
I will be contacting students for chats mid-February. If you haven't been contacted, unfortunately we won't have a position for you this year.
All undergraduates will be paired with a graduate student mentor. You will be given your own project, working on innate immune responses to virus infections and will learn cell culture, virology, molecular biology and microscopy skills. Some projects will have an opportunity to work with industry. Any data generated by you while working in the lab that contributes to a paper will earn you authorship on that paper.
Contact Info:
T: 548.889.3884
Office location: BA541
Office hours:
Varies each term; please check course syllabus.
Languages spoken: English