Dr. Rod Russell – Chair

Dr. Russell is an Associate Professor within the Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. He is trained in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Immunology and Virology. He has eight years of experience in HIV research (Memorial/MSc and McGill/PhD) and twelve years of experience in HCV research (NIH/PDF and Memorial/Faculty Member). He also teaches undergraduate and graduate Virology courses, and therefore possesses general knowledge on other relevant viruses. Dr. Russell has chaired the IBC at Memorial since 2009 and is a member of the PHAC Advisory Committee for the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act.

 

Dr. Jennifer Keyte

Dr. Keyte is Memorial's Veterinarian and Director of Animal Care Services. As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with over 17 years experience in Laboratory animal medicine and surgery, Dr. Keyte is experienced is program management, and risk management, including Biocontainment and bioexclusion. During that time Dr. Keyte has been involved in protocol and facility assessment and development for ACL2 protocols in small animals.

 

Dr. Robert Brown

Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor with the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science. He is trained in biochemistry and translational medicine. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in human metabolism and lipid biochemistry. Dr. Brown's research laboratory focuses on the development of atherosclerosis.

 

Dr. Dawn Bignell

Dr. Bignell is an Associate Professor within the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science. She is trained in Microbiology and Plant Pathology and teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in Microbiology at Memorial University. Dr. Bignell’s research laboratory focuses on bacterial plant pathogens.

 

Dr. Patricia Cousins

Dr. Patricia Cousins is the Manager of Medical Laboratories and Clinical Learning and Simulation (CLSC) for the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. She earned a Ph.D. in Medicine from MUN (Immunology and Infectious Disease). She has been trained in biochemistry, chemistry, immunology and virology, with approximately 20 years of experience in HBV and HCV research, in both animal and cell culture models of hepatitis B and C virus infection. She completed post-doctoral work and was employed in laboratory management for the Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Research Facility prior to her current roles. She and her teams participate in all areas of research and curriculum laboratory safety with the Faculty of Medicine and contributes to teaching in graduate courses in immunology and virology in her role as Adjunct professor. In this role, she manages the core laboratory instrumentation and support services provided by the Medical Laboratories team, and aids in supports for clinical skills, high-fidelity simulation and standardized and teaching patients with the CLSC.

 

Dr. Christian Alberto

Profile to come...

 

Dr. Rod Hobbs

Dr. Hobbs is Memorial's Radiation and Biological Safety Officer (RSO/BSO), as well as the Designated Official (DO) for Memorial's Controlled Goods Program, Responsible Individual (RI) for Memorial's Cannabis Research Safety program and Memorial's Scientific Diving Safety Officer (DSO). Rod holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology, which focussed on the use of genetic tools to evaluate the evolution of cold adaptation in north Atlantic fish species. Rod has extensive experience with research and educational biological safety and the applicable legislative requirements in Canada. Rod is responsible for administrating and managing Memorial's biological safety program and is the point of contact for all matters relating to biological safety at Memorial.