Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Cell Signalling and Structure

Our lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms that regulate leukocyte trafficking during inflammation. Leukocytes are essential mediators of host defense. During inflammation, large numbers of leukocytes leave the bloodstream and traffic into the tissue where they rapidly and effectively locate and destroy invading microorganisms. Although leukocytes are critical for normal host defense, many diseases are characterized by uncontrolled inflammation. Chronic inflammatory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, have an enormous impact on the quality of life for millions of Canadians and cost billions of dollars annually in direct health care expenditures and lost productivity.