Biography
Overview of Research Interests
The Vanderhyden lab studies many aspects of ovarian cancer, including the role of specific genes in human ovarian cancer initiation, progression, chemo-sensitivity and prognosis. They create model systems of ovarian cancer to study disease initiation and to test the therapeutic efficacy of novel anti-cancer drugs. They are particularly interested in the role of stem cells in the ovarian and oviductal epithelia and their contribution to cancer initiation. With a growing interest in chromatin remodeling proteins, they are exploring the roles of these proteins in reproductive tissues, including ovary, placenta and embryonic stem cells.
During the past three years, Dr. Vanderhyden has served on grants review panels for the Canadian Institute for Health Research, the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, the Cancer Research Society and the European Commission. She is currently on the editorial boards for the Journal of Ovarian Research and BMC Cancer. She is a recent President of the Society for the Study of Reproduction and is Chair of the Study Committee of the TFRIfunded COEUR (national ovarian cancer biomarker) project. She is a member of the board of directors of Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Chair of their Research Committee.
Scientific Breakthroughs
The Vanderhyden lab has considerable expertise in model development and was the first to generate an in vivo model to study the rarest form of ovarian cancer, small cell carcinoma of the ovary, suitable for therapeutic testing. They reported the first syngeneic mouse model of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the most common and deadly form of this type of cancer. The Vanderhyden lab was also the first to report a method to isolate the stem/ progenitor cells present in the ovarian epithelium.
Teaching Accomplishments / Awards
Dr. Vanderhyden is a recipient of the Dr. J. David Grimes Research Career Achievement Award, the Capital Educator’s Award and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
Grant Support
Research in the Vanderhyden lab is funded by grants from the Canadian Institute for Health Research, the Cancer Research Society and the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute