Research and Innovation
Beyond the Lab Coat
"Beyond the Lab Coat" invites you to meet the Faculty of Medicine researchers in a new light—uncovering the stories, inspirations, and quirks behind their scientific pursuits. Each feature offers a glimpse of a researcher’s journey, from the spark that ignited their research passion to the advice they would give future scientists, revealing the human side of scientific discovery.
Dr. Alice Zwerling on Global Research in Tuberculosis Health Economics
Dr. Alice Zwerling, an infectious disease epidemiologist specializing in tuberculosis (TB), is pioneering the use of health economics to improve TB prevention and treatment worldwide. By focusing on the cost-effectiveness of new tools and treatment regimens, Dr. Zwerling’s work helps optimize healthcare resources, especially in regions with high TB burdens.
Global Impact: International Collaborations in TB Research
Dr. Zwerling’s research spans Eswatini, Tanzania, Lesotho, Uganda, and Malawi, where she collaborates with local governments, health organizations, and research institutes to explore innovative ways to diagnose and treat latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Her use of advanced economic modeling, such as Markov modeling, guides decisions on scaling up diagnostics and preventive treatments in resource-limited settings.
“Our focus is on understanding the economic viability of novel diagnostics and preventive treatments,” says Dr. Zwerling. “By leveraging models like Markov modeling, we can assess how effective and affordable these new approaches are for widespread use in regions where TB remains a critical public health issue.”
These collaborations ensure that new tools are implemented efficiently, helping policymakers prioritize interventions that maximize impact while maintaining cost-efficiency.
Focusing on Canadian TB Elimination: Addressing TB in Nunavut
Domestically, Dr. Zwerling’s work addresses TB rates in the Canadian Arctic, particularly among Inuit populations, where TB rates are significantly higher than in the rest of Canada. Collaborating with Nunavut’s government and Indigenous organizations, she evaluates the cost-effectiveness of TB screening and care strategies, including digital health tools like video consultations and shorter treatment regimens.
“We’re focusing on how we can reach TB elimination in the Canadian Arctic,” Dr. Zwerling explains. Her research in this area highlights the importance of adapting TB interventions to the unique geographic and logistical challenges in Canada’s North. Dr. Zwerling’s recent findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, are detailed in her article, Opportunities for tuberculosis elimination in the Canadian Arctic: cost-effectiveness of community-wide screening in a remote Arctic community.
Driving Impact: Research, Policy, and Social Justice
Dr. Zwerling’s passion for evidence-based decision-making drives her work. “I enjoy problem-solving and helping to provide the evidence required by decision-makers, policymakers, and governments to optimize limited healthcare resources,” she says. This approach is particularly impactful in settings with limited resources, like sub-Saharan Africa and Nunavut, where the TB burden remains high.
Her contributions extend beyond her research sites; Dr. Zwerling collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) to review health economics data for guideline development and expert panels. Her methods integrate social justice considerations into health economics, ensuring that cost-effectiveness reflects both financial and societal well-being.
Mentorship and Inspiration
Dr. Zwerling attributes her success to her mentors. “I’ve been very lucky to have had terrific academic mentors who inspired me not only for what they’ve accomplished scientifically, but for who they are as human beings,” she reflects. She emphasizes respect and academic collegiality, values she hopes to pass on to the next generation of researchers.
For young researchers, she shares advice from her own journey: “Be open and responsive as a researcher. Some of my proud and memorable moments have come from unexpected opportunities that took me off my ‘planned’ path.” Flexibility and openness, she believes, are keys to innovation and discovery.
Life Beyond Research
These opportunities have fueled Dr. Zwerling’s love for travel and adventure. Recently, she and her family returned from a sabbatical in Eswatini, where her children attended local schools, fully immersing themselves in African life—a testament to her openness and adaptability, values she upholds in both her personal and professional life.
Dr. Zwerling’s Research Focus:
- Global collaborations assessing TB diagnostics and treatment, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa and the Canadian Arctic.
- Economic modeling, including Markov models, to evaluate cost-effective TB care.
- Integrating health economics with equity and social justice considerations in decision-making.
Beyond the Lab Coat: Dr. Jonathan Angel on the Frontlines of HIV Cure Research
Dr. Jonathan Angel is a trailblazing researcher and clinician-investigator in the field of HIV, with a career that spans foundational laboratory research through to pioneering clinical trials. His work has transitioned over the years from studying HIV immunopathogenesis to a singular focus on HIV cure research—a global priority with transformative potential for millions. Dr. Angel’s research intersects basic science and novel clinical studies, pushing boundaries to better understand and one day, hopefully, eradicate HIV.
Building Knowledge at the Intersection of Inflammation and HIV
Dr. Angel’s interest in HIV research emerged during his early training years in a laboratory focused on inflammation. "In the early ’90s, there was significant interest and investment in HIV research, which led my work to explore the impact of HIV on inflammation and the immune system," he shares. As groundbreaking therapies emerged, his own research began to pivot, aiming to understand how these treatments affected immune function. Now, with therapies that are highly effective, Dr. Angel is advancing research toward a cure, leveraging his expertise in HIV immunopathogenesis to address one of medicine’s most critical challenges.
Inspiration from Mentors and Role Models
Mentorship has been pivotal throughout Dr. Angel’s career. "From a clinical infectious diseases standpoint, it was Hillar Vellend in Toronto who first inspired me. Later, Gary Garber, who recruited me to Ottawa, became a key role model, especially relevant now as I serve as Division Head," he reflects. Additionally, Bill Cameron, a long-standing colleague, has been an outstanding supporter and resource throughout Dr. Angel’s nearly three-decade research journey. The influence of these mentors has shaped both his scientific direction and his leadership style, reinforcing his commitment to support the next generation of researchers.
Advice for Emerging Researchers
Dr. Angel’s guidance for new researchers emphasizes dedication, efficiency, and resilience. "Work hard," he advises. "Find people willing to unselfishly support you, be efficient with your time, and don’t sacrifice things you enjoy—though remember, this isn’t a 9-to-5 job." These words encapsulate his own approach to a career that demands both intellectual rigor and passion for discovery. Dr. Angel’s experience demonstrates that hard work and strategic mentorship can be the foundation for impactful research and meaningful clinical advancements.
Beyond Research: A Unique Pet and Family Life
When asked to share a lesser-known fact about himself, Dr. Angel reveals a fun, unexpected detail: he has a pet ball python named Lois, an unusual but beloved family member he inherited from one of his children. This glimpse into his personal life hints at a sense of humor and adaptability—qualities that are likely just as valuable in his professional life.
Dr. Angel’s Research Focus:
- Advancing HIV cure research, from basic science to first-in-human trials
- Examining the intersections of inflammation and HIV’s impact on the immune system
- Collaborating with global experts to move HIV cure research forward
Through his work, Dr. Angel exemplifies a commitment to transforming the landscape of HIV treatment, with a dedication to science, mentorship, and a mission to change lives.
Beyond the Lab Coat: Dr. Marceline Côté on the Fight Against Emerging Viruses
Dr. Marceline Côté is an Associate Professor and Acting Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI), Canada Research Chair in Molecular Virology, and member of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars. Known for her nonlinear yet inspiring path, Dr. Côté is a driving force in the study of zoonotic viruses—pathogens that cross over from animals to humans. Her research and approach to combating these viruses have evolved significantly, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Primary Research Interests
Dr. Côté’s work primarily focuses on zoonotic viruses, especially enveloped viruses, which have an outer lipid layer and include some of the most notable threats, like Ebola, SARS, and avian influenza. She is fascinated by the process of viral entry, the mechanism by which these pathogens infiltrate human cells. Blocking this entry could stop infection. “We try to establish safe platforms to study these viruses by using molecular virology,” she explains. Her lab collaborates worldwide, examining new viral sequences to gauge potential threats to human health. Over her career, she has generated numerous plasmids encoding viral glycoproteins, including those of SARS-CoV-2, some of which are shared globally via Addgene. This collaboration has been key to testing antibodies and antivirals in preparation for future outbreaks. “It’s all about being prepared for these viruses,” she emphasizes, underscoring the urgency of staying ahead of ever-evolving threats.
Inspiration and Beginnings
Dr. Côté’s passion for virology ignited during her undergraduate studies, where she had the chance to work in labs in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Lausanne, Switzerland. In Sherbrooke, she worked with adenoviruses in cancer gene therapy; in Switzerland, she focused on mouse mammary viruses and the triggers of viral disease. These experiences led her to see viruses in a new light—not just as harmful agents but as powerful tools in research. “If we understand them well, we could use them as tools,” she says, reflecting on her early fascination.
Her postgraduate studies at McGill University focused on oncogenic retroviruses with glycoproteins, which both induce cancer and allow viral entry into host cells. This deepened her interest in the viral entry process, which later brought her to the esteemed lab of Dr. James Cunningham at Harvard. There, she focused on the Ebola virus. “It was the postdoctoral work on Ebola virus, at a time when SARS was still fresh in everyone’s mind and emerging viruses like MERS were becoming more frequent, that really solidified my interest in this area,” she shares.
Mentors and the Role of Collaboration
Dr. Côté attributes her success not only to her mentors but also to the collaboration and support of her research team. Working under Dr. Cunningham at Harvard, who was studying Ebola’s entry into human cells, was pivotal in her career. Dr. Côté points to more than just mentorship in her path to success: “It’s about the teamwork in the lab and among different labs, especially after COVID-19,” she says, highlighting how collaboration across disciplines and borders has been integral to her success. The global effort to now share data, viral sequences, and research constructs has changed the landscape of virology and underscores the importance of community in science.
Advice for Aspiring Researchers
For young researchers hoping to make a difference, Dr. Côté has simple yet profound advice: find something you truly love. “Research is hard,” she admits. “Ninety percent of experiments won’t give the results you hoped for or expect, and that’s not even counting the ones that fail. You have to push through the negatives to find what you’re looking for.” Her secret to persevering? Passion. “If it feels like work, it’s not the right field,” she says with a smile. “Find something that excites you, and the rest will follow.”
With her dedication and innovative research, Dr. Marceline Côté continues to be a shining example of what passion, perseverance, and collaboration can achieve in the ever-challenging world of virology.
