Colin SUEN

Biography

Year of Entry:  2010

Year of Completion:  2017

Current Position:  Resident in anaesthesiology, University of Toronto

PhD Supervisor:  Dr. Duncan Stewart

Thesis:  Defended May 17, 2017

Personal Background: 

I was born in Halifax and raised in Thornhill, Ontario. I completed my undergraduate training in Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University and began a Master’s of Science in Clinical Pharmacology.  I developed an interest in cardiovascular sciences, which led me to pursue further research training as an MD/PhD student at the University of Ottawa. I was on the Executive Committee for the Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada for two years, and led as University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine Editor-in-Chief in 2014-2015.  In my spare time, I’m passionate about cooking, music and basketball.

Research Focus:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and debilitating cardiopulmonary disease with poor morbidity and mortality that is poorly understood.  My doctoral work focuses on three main areas in PAH research. However, there is no cure and the current pharmacological options are only modestly effective. Stem cell therapy, using cells such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have demonstrated efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies, but the mechanisms are unclear. One of my research aims was to understand the mechanisms of EPC therapy, particularly their paracrine effects. PAH patients eventually succumb to right heart failure, therefore my research aim  was to study the molecular mechanisms of right ventricular dysfunction and investigate therapies to enhance right ventricular function. Lastly, I worked on a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for PAH.

Scholarship Support:

2013-2015  CHIR Vanier Scholarship

2012-2015 CIHR Training Program in Regenerative Medicine Fellowship