Dr. Rebecca Amer is a graduate of McMaster University School of Medicine and has also enjoyed an internal medicine residency in Hamilton. She has her MSc in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and is currently in her first year of training in Respirology. She demonstrates strong clinical skills, leadership qualities, research initiative and lots of enthusiasm. Rebecca was the recipient of the Dr. David Feldman Internal Medicine award in 2005. This award was given in honour of a former St. Joseph’s Healthcare master clinician who had a successful and impressive career path. Rebecca also received the PGY3 Chief Medical Resident Award for Excellence in Clinic Competence and Teaching in 2007.

Dr. Rebecca Amer is a graduate of McMaster University School of Medicine and has also enjoyed an internal medicine residency in Hamilton. She has her MSc in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and is currently in her first year of training in Respirology. She demonstrates strong clinical skills, leadership qualities, research initiative and lots of enthusiasm. Rebecca was the recipient of the Dr. David Feldman Internal Medicine award in 2005. This award was given in honour of a former St. Joseph’s Healthcare master clinician who had a successful and impressive career path. Rebecca also received the PGY3 Chief Medical Resident Award for Excellence in Clinic Competence and Teaching in 2007.

Research Interests: Immunosenescence, macrophage biology, macrophage receptor expression, scavenger receptor and phagocytic receptor function and signalling, aging and immunity, innate immunity & host defence, bacterial colonization and infections (e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae), animal models of pneumonia and post-influenza pneumonia, microbiome of the upper respiratory tract, pathogen, commensals of the upper respiratory tract

Research Interests: Immunosenescence, macrophage biology, macrophage receptor expression, scavenger receptor and phagocytic receptor function and signalling, aging and immunity, innate immunity & host defence, bacterial colonization and infections (e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae), animal models of pneumonia and post-influenza pneumonia, microbiome of the upper respiratory tract, pathogen, commensals of the upper respiratory tract

Education and Professional Standing

Dr. Cox qualified in 1981 from UCD, Ireland. He trained in respiratory medicine at McMaster University and continued training in basic science at McMaster University and at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He joined the faculty at McMaster University in 1992 where he continued his research into the basic mechanisms that control inflammation during respiratory diseases. Currently, he is Head of Acute Clinical Services at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. In addition, he is President of the Canadian Thoracic Society.

Clinical Interests

In addition to general respirology, Dr. Cox has a special interest in interstitial lung diseases such as sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis. In association with Dr. Martin Kolb, he runs a dedicated clinic at FIRH-SJHH, caring for patients with these uncommon disorders.

Selected Publications

• Induced sputum: Validity of fluid-phase IL-5 measurement. JACI 2000; 105:1162-8
• NO+ but not free radical relaxes airway smooth muscle via cGMP-independent release of internal Ca2+. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2000; 278
• Excitatory and inhibitory actions of isoprostanes in human and canine airway smooth muscle. J Pharmacol and Exper Therapeutics 2000; 295:506-511
• Eosinophil cationic protein relates to sputum neutrophil counts in health subjects. JACI 2000;106:593-4
• A randomized, controlled trial comparing thorascopy and limited thoracotomy for lung biopsy in interstitial lung disease. Ann Thorac Surg 2000; 70:1647-50
• Nicotine replacement combined with a novel compound (ProBAN ) for smoking cessation: a pilot study. Can Respir J 2001; 163:85-90
• Coronary and laryngeal spasm provoked by methacholine inhalation. JACI 2001; 107:392-3
• Increased detection of interluekin-5 in sputum by addition of protease inhibitors. Eur Respir J. 2001; 18:685-91
• The effect of air filtration systems on asthma: A systematic review of randomized trials. Chest. 2002 Nov;122 (5):1535-42
• Cysteinyl leukotrienes and human airway smooth muscle migration. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Sep 1; 166 (5):738-42

Research Interests: Mechanisms of disease and development of novel strategies for diagnosis and therapy based on improved understanding of how respiratory diseases arise. Current projects examine the accumulation of cells during pulmonary inflammation and the structural consequences of chronic inflammation. Clinical research examines the potential for lung cancer to be detected using the examination of sputum. In collaboration with Dr. John Miller of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Cox is examining the potential role of bronchial thermoplasty (a bronchoscopic procedure) as a treatment for asthma.

Education and Professional Standing

Dr. Cox qualified in 1981 from UCD, Ireland. He trained in respiratory medicine at McMaster University and continued training in basic science at McMaster University and at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He joined the faculty at McMaster University in 1992 where he continued his research into the basic mechanisms that control inflammation during respiratory diseases. Currently, he is Head of Acute Clinical Services at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. In addition, he is President of the Canadian Thoracic Society.

Clinical Interests

In addition to general respirology, Dr. Cox has a special interest in interstitial lung diseases such as sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis. In association with Dr. Martin Kolb, he runs a dedicated clinic at FIRH-SJHH, caring for patients with these uncommon disorders.

Selected Publications

• Induced sputum: Validity of fluid-phase IL-5 measurement. JACI 2000; 105:1162-8
• NO+ but not free radical relaxes airway smooth muscle via cGMP-independent release of internal Ca2+. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2000; 278
• Excitatory and inhibitory actions of isoprostanes in human and canine airway smooth muscle. J Pharmacol and Exper Therapeutics 2000; 295:506-511
• Eosinophil cationic protein relates to sputum neutrophil counts in health subjects. JACI 2000;106:593-4
• A randomized, controlled trial comparing thorascopy and limited thoracotomy for lung biopsy in interstitial lung disease. Ann Thorac Surg 2000; 70:1647-50
• Nicotine replacement combined with a novel compound (ProBAN ) for smoking cessation: a pilot study. Can Respir J 2001; 163:85-90
• Coronary and laryngeal spasm provoked by methacholine inhalation. JACI 2001; 107:392-3
• Increased detection of interluekin-5 in sputum by addition of protease inhibitors. Eur Respir J. 2001; 18:685-91
• The effect of air filtration systems on asthma: A systematic review of randomized trials. Chest. 2002 Nov;122 (5):1535-42
• Cysteinyl leukotrienes and human airway smooth muscle migration. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Sep 1; 166 (5):738-42

Research Interests: Mechanisms of disease and development of novel strategies for diagnosis and therapy based on improved understanding of how respiratory diseases arise. Current projects examine the accumulation of cells during pulmonary inflammation and the structural consequences of chronic inflammation. Clinical research examines the potential for lung cancer to be detected using the examination of sputum. In collaboration with Dr. John Miller of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Cox is examining the potential role of bronchial thermoplasty (a bronchoscopic procedure) as a treatment for asthma.

Dr. Nathan Hambly earned his medical degree at the University of Ottawa (2009) and completed both internal medicine (2012) and adult respirology (2014) residencies at McMaster University.  He has since fulfilled clinical fellowships in pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease at McMaster University, University of Toronto and Royal Brompton Hospital in London, United Kingdom.  Dr. Hambly is the clinical lead of the Firestone Institute Pulmonary Hypertension Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital and McMaster University and works as a consultant respirologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  His clinical interests include pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and sarcoidosis.

Research Interests: Pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis and acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Dr. Nathan Hambly earned his medical degree at the University of Ottawa (2009) and completed both internal medicine (2012) and adult respirology (2014) residencies at McMaster University.  He has since fulfilled clinical fellowships in pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease at McMaster University, University of Toronto and Royal Brompton Hospital in London, United Kingdom.  Dr. Hambly is the clinical lead of the Firestone Institute Pulmonary Hypertension Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital and McMaster University and works as a consultant respirologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  His clinical interests include pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and sarcoidosis.

Research Interests: Pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis and acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Research Interests: Respiratory mucosal immunology, environmental exposures, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, airway epithelial cells, ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters commercialization of research, science communication.

Research Interests: Respiratory mucosal immunology, environmental exposures, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, airway epithelial cells, ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters commercialization of research, science communication.

Dr. Mark Inman completed his initial training in exercise physiology at the University of Waterloo (BSc ’84, MSc ’86). He then came to McMaster University to study the mechanics of breathing with Drs Kieran Killian and Moran Campbell (PhD ’93). During this time he also completed a medical degree (MD ’93). Rather than continuing with clinical training, Dr Inman chose to pursue a career in medical research, and began a 4 year post doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr Paul O’Byrne. At this time, Dr Inman’s research activities were divided between studies of the management of exercise induced bronchoconstriction and the role of the bone marrow in supporting allergen induced inflammation. Following his post-doctoral training, Dr Inman accepted a faculty position within the department of Medicine at McMaster. Since joining the faculty, Dr Inman has divided his time between research and educational activites. His research had focused on the mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness, a condition thought to play a major role in the frequent episodes of bronchoconstriction experienced by patients with asthma. To address this, Dr Inman has relied on models of allergen induced airway disease in mice, as well as sophisticated technology with which to assess lung function in small animals. Many of the models and research techniques were developed within Dr Inman’s laboratory, either by his graduate students or his technicians, Russ Ellis and Jennifer Wattie. To date, Dr Inman has authored or co-authored over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts. Dr Inman’s teaching interests have remained in the area of respiratory physiology; he currently teaches a graduate course in Respiratory Physiology that is also part of the required training for respirology residents at McMaster. Dr Inman also has a lifelong interest in research design and frequently offers sessions addressing common misunderstandings in various graduate student training forums.

Research Interests: Mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness, a condition thought to play a major role in the frequent episodes of bronchoconstriction experienced by patients with asthma

Dr. Mark Inman completed his initial training in exercise physiology at the University of Waterloo (BSc ’84, MSc ’86). He then came to McMaster University to study the mechanics of breathing with Drs Kieran Killian and Moran Campbell (PhD ’93). During this time he also completed a medical degree (MD ’93). Rather than continuing with clinical training, Dr Inman chose to pursue a career in medical research, and began a 4 year post doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr Paul O’Byrne. At this time, Dr Inman’s research activities were divided between studies of the management of exercise induced bronchoconstriction and the role of the bone marrow in supporting allergen induced inflammation. Following his post-doctoral training, Dr Inman accepted a faculty position within the department of Medicine at McMaster. Since joining the faculty, Dr Inman has divided his time between research and educational activites. His research had focused on the mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness, a condition thought to play a major role in the frequent episodes of bronchoconstriction experienced by patients with asthma. To address this, Dr Inman has relied on models of allergen induced airway disease in mice, as well as sophisticated technology with which to assess lung function in small animals. Many of the models and research techniques were developed within Dr Inman’s laboratory, either by his graduate students or his technicians, Russ Ellis and Jennifer Wattie. To date, Dr Inman has authored or co-authored over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts. Dr Inman’s teaching interests have remained in the area of respiratory physiology; he currently teaches a graduate course in Respiratory Physiology that is also part of the required training for respirology residents at McMaster. Dr Inman also has a lifelong interest in research design and frequently offers sessions addressing common misunderstandings in various graduate student training forums.

Research Interests: Mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness, a condition thought to play a major role in the frequent episodes of bronchoconstriction experienced by patients with asthma

Dr. Martin Kolb is an associate professor of medicine and director of research for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. He obtained his MD from the University of Würzburg, Germany in 1991, where he also completed a PhD equivalent in Experimental Respirology in 2003. He trained with Dr. Jack Gauldie at McMaster University from 1999-2001 and they closely collaborate since then on basic and translational projects in pulmonary fibrosis. Dr. Kolb runs a specialty clinic for interstitial lung diseases and pulmonary fibrosis at St. Joseph’s Healthcare and is involved as Principal Investigator and Steering Committee member in several multi-center trials for lung fibrosis. Dr. Kolb has published more than 80 scientific articles and is Deputy Editor for Respirology and on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Research 
Dr. Kolb’s major research area is focused on mechanisms of lung injury, repair and fibrosis, particularly in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He has a strong interest in growth factor biology (e.g. TGF? and IL-1), extracellular matrix, and mesenchymal cell progenitors (mesenchymal stem cells and fibrocytes). In his lab he uses a variety of animal models to study disease mechanisms and also the efficacy of novel drugs in the preclinical setting. Dr. Kolb leads activities in biomarker development for lung fibrosis and he participates as Principal Investigator and Steering Committee members in numerous clinical trials on interstitial lung disease. Dr. Kolb has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, American Journal of Pathology, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Journal of Immunology, European Respiratory Journal and many others. He is/was funded by CIHR, NIH, CFI, OTS and different Pharma companies over the years. He has received career awards from the Parker B. Francis Families Foundation, the Department of Medicine at McMaster and the New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institute for Health Research.

Clinical Activities

Dr. Kolb looks after several hundred patients with interstitial lung disease in his specialty clinic and also practices in General Respirology. He is medical staff at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for Respirology and General Internal Medicine. Clinic bookings can be made through extension x35003.

Current standing

• Associate professor, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine and Pathology & Molecular Medicine; Reseach director; Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare
• Specialty clinic for interstitial lung disease and lung fibrosis
• Inpatient service for general internal medicine, respirology and ICU
• Consulting service

Education and professional standing

• M.D., University of Würzburg, Germany, 1991
• Residency, Anatomical Pathology, University Erlangen/Nürnberg
• Residency, General Internal and Respiratory Medicine, University of Würzburg, Germany, 1993
• Postdoctoral research fellowship in pulmonary fibrosis with Dr. Jack Gauldie, McMaster University, 1999
• Habilitation for Internal Medicine (PhD equivalent ), Germany, 2003
• Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, McMaster, 2003
• Department of Medicine and the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, 2004
• Research Director, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, 2009
• Director, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University 2013

Selected publications

• Richeldi L, du Bois RM, Raghu G, Azuma A, Brown KK, Costabel U, Cottin V, Flaherty KR, Hansell DM, Inoue Y, Kim DS, Kolb M, Nicholson AG, Noble PW, Selman M, Taniguchi H, Brun M, Le Maulf F, Girard M, Stowasser S, Schlenker-Herceg R, Disse B, Collard HR. Efficacy and Safety of Nintedanib in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2014 May 29;370(22):2071-82.
• Bellaye PS, Wettstein G, Burgy O, Besnard V, Joannes A, Colas J, Causse S, Marchal-Somme J, Fabre A, Crestani B, Kolb MRJ, Gauldie J, Camus P, Garrido C, Bonniaud P. The small heat shock protein ?B-crystallin is essential for the nuclear localization of Smad4: impact on pulmonary fibrosis. J Pathol 2014; 232: 458–472.
• Wettstein G, Bellaye PS, Kolb MRJ, Hammann A, Crestani B, Soler P, Marchal-Somme J, Hazoume A, Gauldie J, Gunther A, Micheau O, Gleave M, Camus P, Garrido C, Bonniaud P. Inhibition of HSP27 blocks fibrosis development and EMT features by promoting snail degradation. FASEB J. 2013 Apr;27(4):1549-60
• Hanumegowda C, Farkas L, Kolb MRJ. Angiogenesis in Pulmonary Fibrosis-Too much or not enough? Chest 2012 July 1;142(1):200-7
• Farkas L, Gauldie J, Voelkel N F, Kolb MRJ. Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis-A Tale of Angiogenesis, Apoptosis and Growth Factors. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2011 Jul;45(1):1-15
• Farkas L, Ask K, Möller A, Farkas D, Margetts PJ, Gauldie J, Inman M, Kolb MRJ. VEGF-mediated angiogenesis ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in an animal model of lung fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2009;119(5):1298-311
• Möller A, Gilpin SE, Ask K, Cox G, Cook DJ, Gauldie J, Margetts PJ, Farkas L, Dobranowski J, Boylan C, O’Byrne PM, Strieter RM, Kolb MRJ. Circulating Fibrocytes are an indicator for poor prognosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2009; 179(7):588-94

Dr. Martin Kolb is an associate professor of medicine and director of research for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. He obtained his MD from the University of Würzburg, Germany in 1991, where he also completed a PhD equivalent in Experimental Respirology in 2003. He trained with Dr. Jack Gauldie at McMaster University from 1999-2001 and they closely collaborate since then on basic and translational projects in pulmonary fibrosis. Dr. Kolb runs a specialty clinic for interstitial lung diseases and pulmonary fibrosis at St. Joseph’s Healthcare and is involved as Principal Investigator and Steering Committee member in several multi-center trials for lung fibrosis. Dr. Kolb has published more than 80 scientific articles and is Deputy Editor for Respirology and on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Research 
Dr. Kolb’s major research area is focused on mechanisms of lung injury, repair and fibrosis, particularly in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He has a strong interest in growth factor biology (e.g. TGF? and IL-1), extracellular matrix, and mesenchymal cell progenitors (mesenchymal stem cells and fibrocytes). In his lab he uses a variety of animal models to study disease mechanisms and also the efficacy of novel drugs in the preclinical setting. Dr. Kolb leads activities in biomarker development for lung fibrosis and he participates as Principal Investigator and Steering Committee members in numerous clinical trials on interstitial lung disease. Dr. Kolb has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, American Journal of Pathology, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Journal of Immunology, European Respiratory Journal and many others. He is/was funded by CIHR, NIH, CFI, OTS and different Pharma companies over the years. He has received career awards from the Parker B. Francis Families Foundation, the Department of Medicine at McMaster and the New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institute for Health Research.

Clinical Activities

Dr. Kolb looks after several hundred patients with interstitial lung disease in his specialty clinic and also practices in General Respirology. He is medical staff at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for Respirology and General Internal Medicine. Clinic bookings can be made through extension x35003.

Current standing

• Associate professor, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine and Pathology & Molecular Medicine; Reseach director; Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare
• Specialty clinic for interstitial lung disease and lung fibrosis
• Inpatient service for general internal medicine, respirology and ICU
• Consulting service

Education and professional standing

• M.D., University of Würzburg, Germany, 1991
• Residency, Anatomical Pathology, University Erlangen/Nürnberg
• Residency, General Internal and Respiratory Medicine, University of Würzburg, Germany, 1993
• Postdoctoral research fellowship in pulmonary fibrosis with Dr. Jack Gauldie, McMaster University, 1999
• Habilitation for Internal Medicine (PhD equivalent ), Germany, 2003
• Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, McMaster, 2003
• Department of Medicine and the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, 2004
• Research Director, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, 2009
• Director, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University 2013

Selected publications

• Richeldi L, du Bois RM, Raghu G, Azuma A, Brown KK, Costabel U, Cottin V, Flaherty KR, Hansell DM, Inoue Y, Kim DS, Kolb M, Nicholson AG, Noble PW, Selman M, Taniguchi H, Brun M, Le Maulf F, Girard M, Stowasser S, Schlenker-Herceg R, Disse B, Collard HR. Efficacy and Safety of Nintedanib in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2014 May 29;370(22):2071-82.
• Bellaye PS, Wettstein G, Burgy O, Besnard V, Joannes A, Colas J, Causse S, Marchal-Somme J, Fabre A, Crestani B, Kolb MRJ, Gauldie J, Camus P, Garrido C, Bonniaud P. The small heat shock protein ?B-crystallin is essential for the nuclear localization of Smad4: impact on pulmonary fibrosis. J Pathol 2014; 232: 458–472.
• Wettstein G, Bellaye PS, Kolb MRJ, Hammann A, Crestani B, Soler P, Marchal-Somme J, Hazoume A, Gauldie J, Gunther A, Micheau O, Gleave M, Camus P, Garrido C, Bonniaud P. Inhibition of HSP27 blocks fibrosis development and EMT features by promoting snail degradation. FASEB J. 2013 Apr;27(4):1549-60
• Hanumegowda C, Farkas L, Kolb MRJ. Angiogenesis in Pulmonary Fibrosis-Too much or not enough? Chest 2012 July 1;142(1):200-7
• Farkas L, Gauldie J, Voelkel N F, Kolb MRJ. Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis-A Tale of Angiogenesis, Apoptosis and Growth Factors. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2011 Jul;45(1):1-15
• Farkas L, Ask K, Möller A, Farkas D, Margetts PJ, Gauldie J, Inman M, Kolb MRJ. VEGF-mediated angiogenesis ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in an animal model of lung fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2009;119(5):1298-311
• Möller A, Gilpin SE, Ask K, Cox G, Cook DJ, Gauldie J, Margetts PJ, Farkas L, Dobranowski J, Boylan C, O’Byrne PM, Strieter RM, Kolb MRJ. Circulating Fibrocytes are an indicator for poor prognosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2009; 179(7):588-94

Dr. Li is a physician at the Sleep Assessment Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Dr. Li is a physician at the Sleep Assessment Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Dr. McIvor, a professor of medicine at McMaster University and a staff respirologist at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, is originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. He qualified with an Honour’s degree in Medicine from Queen’s University, Belfast in 1984. After completing his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine, he immigrated to Canada in 1989. He trained in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Toronto and obtained an MRC grant to study in Clinical Epidemiology at McMaster University where he spent time working in the field of obstructive lung disease and obtained his MSc.

Dr. McIvor has just completed a 5-year term as chairman of the Asthma Committee of the Canadian Thoracic Society and as an examiner in respirology for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada.

Publications

Dr. McIvor is author of more than a 100 scientific papers.

Research Interests: Knowledge translation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr. McIvor, a professor of medicine at McMaster University and a staff respirologist at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, is originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. He qualified with an Honour’s degree in Medicine from Queen’s University, Belfast in 1984. After completing his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine, he immigrated to Canada in 1989. He trained in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Toronto and obtained an MRC grant to study in Clinical Epidemiology at McMaster University where he spent time working in the field of obstructive lung disease and obtained his MSc.

Dr. McIvor has just completed a 5-year term as chairman of the Asthma Committee of the Canadian Thoracic Society and as an examiner in respirology for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada.

Publications

Dr. McIvor is author of more than a 100 scientific papers.

Research Interests: Knowledge translation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

After obtaining his medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Kerala in India in 1988, Dr Nair trained in general and respiratory medicine at the University of Kerala Medical College Hospital in Trivandrum (with an MD for thesis on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, Diploma in Tuberculosis, and National Board Certification in Respiratory Medicine (DNB), and Royal Sunderland and Royal Sussex County Hospitals in England (MRCP in General Medicine, 1996). He joined the faculty of Health Sciences of McMaster University in 2004 after training in Health Research Methodology, a clinical research fellowship and a PhD under the supervision of Professors Frederick Hargreave and Paul O’Byrne. He was elected a Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of India in 1993, Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians in 1999, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 2003 and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 2009 with certification in Internal Medicine and Respirology. He was awarded the Ann Woolcock Prize in 2005 by the American Thoracic Society and the Bastable-Potts Prize in 2016 by the Asthma Society of Canada for excellence in asthma research.

His laboratory characterizes the types of bronchitis in airway diseases using measurements in sputum, develops novel biomarkers in sputum, identifies mechanisms of bronchitis and explores novel targeted therapies of bronchitis. He directs the AllerGen National Centre of Excellence Clinical Investigators Consortium for Severe Asthma and is a co-investigator of the Canadian Respiratory Research Network. He was supported by the Canada Research Chair program from 2005-2015.

Clinical Interests

At the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, he looks after patients with complex obstructive airway diseases, severe asthma, recurrent bronchitis, and eosinophilic lung disorders.  These unique multi-disciplinary clinics, in collaboration with Dr Mike Trus, Dr Nader Khalidi, and Dr Gerry Cox, provide these patients access to biologics, molecular microbiology and bronchial thermoplasty and opportunities to participate in research programs.

Research Interests: Developing and applying non-invasive measurements of airway inflammation in the treatment of severe asthma and COPD.

After obtaining his medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Kerala in India in 1988, Dr Nair trained in general and respiratory medicine at the University of Kerala Medical College Hospital in Trivandrum (with an MD for thesis on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, Diploma in Tuberculosis, and National Board Certification in Respiratory Medicine (DNB), and Royal Sunderland and Royal Sussex County Hospitals in England (MRCP in General Medicine, 1996). He joined the faculty of Health Sciences of McMaster University in 2004 after training in Health Research Methodology, a clinical research fellowship and a PhD under the supervision of Professors Frederick Hargreave and Paul O’Byrne. He was elected a Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of India in 1993, Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians in 1999, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 2003 and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 2009 with certification in Internal Medicine and Respirology. He was awarded the Ann Woolcock Prize in 2005 by the American Thoracic Society and the Bastable-Potts Prize in 2016 by the Asthma Society of Canada for excellence in asthma research.

His laboratory characterizes the types of bronchitis in airway diseases using measurements in sputum, develops novel biomarkers in sputum, identifies mechanisms of bronchitis and explores novel targeted therapies of bronchitis. He directs the AllerGen National Centre of Excellence Clinical Investigators Consortium for Severe Asthma and is a co-investigator of the Canadian Respiratory Research Network. He was supported by the Canada Research Chair program from 2005-2015.

Clinical Interests

At the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, he looks after patients with complex obstructive airway diseases, severe asthma, recurrent bronchitis, and eosinophilic lung disorders.  These unique multi-disciplinary clinics, in collaboration with Dr Mike Trus, Dr Nader Khalidi, and Dr Gerry Cox, provide these patients access to biologics, molecular microbiology and bronchial thermoplasty and opportunities to participate in research programs.

Research Interests: Developing and applying non-invasive measurements of airway inflammation in the treatment of severe asthma and COPD.

Dr. O’Byrne is currently the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Dr. O’Byrne is  world renowned for his research on asthma that is the result of allergies.

His current research interests focus on the mechanisms and treatment of asthma, with particular reference to the role of environmental allergens and the mechanisms by which these cause airway inflammation. Dr. O´Byrne is a prolific publisher, as evidenced by his almost 400 peer-reviewed papers in highly regarded journals. He has also edited ten books and has written more than 100 review papers and is a frequent lecturer at international meetings.

Dr. O’Byrne is member of the Executive Committee of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), is Associate Editor of Chest, Thorax  and International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.

Research Interests: The mechanisms and treatment of asthma: specifically the regulation of environmental allergen-induced airway inflammation and the development of new anti-inflammatory asthma treatments.

Dr. O’Byrne is currently the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Dr. O’Byrne is  world renowned for his research on asthma that is the result of allergies.

His current research interests focus on the mechanisms and treatment of asthma, with particular reference to the role of environmental allergens and the mechanisms by which these cause airway inflammation. Dr. O´Byrne is a prolific publisher, as evidenced by his almost 400 peer-reviewed papers in highly regarded journals. He has also edited ten books and has written more than 100 review papers and is a frequent lecturer at international meetings.

Dr. O’Byrne is member of the Executive Committee of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), is Associate Editor of Chest, Thorax  and International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.

Research Interests: The mechanisms and treatment of asthma: specifically the regulation of environmental allergen-induced airway inflammation and the development of new anti-inflammatory asthma treatments.

Dr. Raghavan completed medical school at McGill University in Montreal.  She then completed Internal Medicine residency training at Queen’s University in Kingston before coming to McMaster for specialization in Respirology.  Following Respirology training, she returned to Queen’s to work in the Respiratory Investigation Unit at Kingston General Hospital with Dr. Denis O’Donnell to work on research in applied respiratory physiology.

She currently works at the Hamilton General Hospital on the Internal Medicine Clinical Teaching Units, as well as on the respirology consult service.  She has a general respirology out-patient practice at the Hamilton General Hospital.  She also works at St. Joseph’s Healthcare on the pulmonary rehabilitation service.

Dr. Raghavan completed medical school at McGill University in Montreal.  She then completed Internal Medicine residency training at Queen’s University in Kingston before coming to McMaster for specialization in Respirology.  Following Respirology training, she returned to Queen’s to work in the Respiratory Investigation Unit at Kingston General Hospital with Dr. Denis O’Donnell to work on research in applied respiratory physiology.

She currently works at the Hamilton General Hospital on the Internal Medicine Clinical Teaching Units, as well as on the respirology consult service.  She has a general respirology out-patient practice at the Hamilton General Hospital.  She also works at St. Joseph’s Healthcare on the pulmonary rehabilitation service.

Dr. Saffie completed medical school at Saba University in Netherlands Antilles, residency in Internal Medicine at Western University and fellowship in Adult Respirology at the University of Toronto. He then pursued a two-year clinical scholarship focusing on tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections at McMaster University. Simultaneously he obtained a Masters of Health Sciences in Health Administration at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. He has worked at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Division of Health System Quality and Funding exploring policy options linking healthcare quality to funding in Ontario.

Dr. Saffie’s clinical Interests are in tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria and infectious lung diseases. He is an active medical staff member at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences where he provides consultation services in Internal Medicine and Respirology.

Research Interests: Global health policy and its impact on pulmonary infections; health system funding and policy

Dr. Saffie completed medical school at Saba University in Netherlands Antilles, residency in Internal Medicine at Western University and fellowship in Adult Respirology at the University of Toronto. He then pursued a two-year clinical scholarship focusing on tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections at McMaster University. Simultaneously he obtained a Masters of Health Sciences in Health Administration at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. He has worked at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Division of Health System Quality and Funding exploring policy options linking healthcare quality to funding in Ontario.

Dr. Saffie’s clinical Interests are in tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria and infectious lung diseases. He is an active medical staff member at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences where he provides consultation services in Internal Medicine and Respirology.

Research Interests: Global health policy and its impact on pulmonary infections; health system funding and policy

Roma’s current focus of interest is in studying the molecular mechanisms that stimulate migration of progenitor cells into the lung tissue following allergen challenge. This new and exciting area will not only widen our understanding of the cellular components of an allergic inflammatory response but may provide a further handle by which pharmacological intervention can control the tissue damage associated with allergic inflammatory responses.

Funding

Roma has received funding from various national and provincial sources including the CIHR and Ontario Thoracic Society.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research: “Transmigration pathways of CD34+ progenitor cells in allergic inflammation: from bone marrow to lung” (2002-2005)

Selected Publications

Roma has published 28 peer-reviewed articles, 6 book chapters and 38 abstracts to date and serves on the Ontario Thoracic Society Block Term review committee.

1. Systemic aspects of allergic disease: bone marrow responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol (suppl) 106:S243-46, 2000
2. The effects of inhaled budesonide on circulating eosinophil progenitors and their expression of cytokines after allergen challenge in atopic asthmatics. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162:2139-44, 2000
3. Regulation of IL-5 receptor on eosinophil progenitors in allergic inflammation: role of retinoic acid. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 124:246-48, 2001
4. Retinoic acid modulates IL-5 receptor expression and selectively inhibits eosinophil-basophil differentiation of hemopoietic progenitor cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 109:307-13, 2002
5. Allergen-induced increases in bone marrow T-lymphocytes and interleukin-5 expression in subjects with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166(5):883-9, 2002
6. Distinct phenotypic adhesion molecule expression on human cord blood progenitors during early eosinophilic commitment: up-regulation of integrins. Scand J Immunol 56(2):161-7, 2002
7. Cysteinyl leukotrienes promote human airway smooth muscle migration. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166(5):738-42, 2002
8. Pathogenesis of murine experimental allergic rhinitis; a study of local and systemic consequences of IL-5 deficiency. J Immunol. 168:3017-23, 2002
9. Allergen-induced fluctuations in CC chemokine receptor 3 expression on bone marrow CD34+ cells from asthmatic subjects: significance for mobilization of hemopoietic progenitor cells in allergic inflammation. Immunology 109(4):536-46, 2003
10. Anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy induces bone marrow eosinophil maturation and decreased eosinophil progenitors in the bronchial mucosa of atopic asthmatics. J Allergy Crit Care Med 111(4):714-9, 2003

Research Interests: Role of mature eosinophils and their progenitor cells in the development of asthmatic responses. Major contributions to research have included: 1. Effect of cytokines on eosinophil migrational responsiveness 2. Development of methods to accurately enumerate and follow phenotypic changes on hemopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow, blood, cord blood and sputum samples following allergen exposure in allergic individuals.

Roma’s current focus of interest is in studying the molecular mechanisms that stimulate migration of progenitor cells into the lung tissue following allergen challenge. This new and exciting area will not only widen our understanding of the cellular components of an allergic inflammatory response but may provide a further handle by which pharmacological intervention can control the tissue damage associated with allergic inflammatory responses.

Funding

Roma has received funding from various national and provincial sources including the CIHR and Ontario Thoracic Society.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research: “Transmigration pathways of CD34+ progenitor cells in allergic inflammation: from bone marrow to lung” (2002-2005)

Selected Publications

Roma has published 28 peer-reviewed articles, 6 book chapters and 38 abstracts to date and serves on the Ontario Thoracic Society Block Term review committee.

1. Systemic aspects of allergic disease: bone marrow responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol (suppl) 106:S243-46, 2000
2. The effects of inhaled budesonide on circulating eosinophil progenitors and their expression of cytokines after allergen challenge in atopic asthmatics. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162:2139-44, 2000
3. Regulation of IL-5 receptor on eosinophil progenitors in allergic inflammation: role of retinoic acid. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 124:246-48, 2001
4. Retinoic acid modulates IL-5 receptor expression and selectively inhibits eosinophil-basophil differentiation of hemopoietic progenitor cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 109:307-13, 2002
5. Allergen-induced increases in bone marrow T-lymphocytes and interleukin-5 expression in subjects with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166(5):883-9, 2002
6. Distinct phenotypic adhesion molecule expression on human cord blood progenitors during early eosinophilic commitment: up-regulation of integrins. Scand J Immunol 56(2):161-7, 2002
7. Cysteinyl leukotrienes promote human airway smooth muscle migration. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166(5):738-42, 2002
8. Pathogenesis of murine experimental allergic rhinitis; a study of local and systemic consequences of IL-5 deficiency. J Immunol. 168:3017-23, 2002
9. Allergen-induced fluctuations in CC chemokine receptor 3 expression on bone marrow CD34+ cells from asthmatic subjects: significance for mobilization of hemopoietic progenitor cells in allergic inflammation. Immunology 109(4):536-46, 2003
10. Anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy induces bone marrow eosinophil maturation and decreased eosinophil progenitors in the bronchial mucosa of atopic asthmatics. J Allergy Crit Care Med 111(4):714-9, 2003

Research Interests: Role of mature eosinophils and their progenitor cells in the development of asthmatic responses. Major contributions to research have included: 1. Effect of cytokines on eosinophil migrational responsiveness 2. Development of methods to accurately enumerate and follow phenotypic changes on hemopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow, blood, cord blood and sputum samples following allergen exposure in allergic individuals.

After graduating high school, Dr. Tunks went to Medical School at the University of Toronto and graduated in 2004. Afterwards, he went back to the University of Toronto where he studied Internal Medicine which he completed in 2007. In 2009 he graduated from McMaster University’s Respirology Training Program. He continued with McMaster where he fulfilled his clinical scholar training until 2010. He also acquired additional training in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in both acute and chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Dr. Tunks primary interest is in chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary physiology and the assessment of dyspnea.

In 2010 Dr. Tunks became an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University. He is best known for his roles in inpatient and outpatient respirology, as well as Medical Step-down/CCU attending at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. He is the clinical lead for patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, where he is the medical director of the pulmonary function laboratory and the medical liaison to the department of respiratory therapy. He is the coordinator for the Division of Respirology’s regional clinical rounds. His duties also include doing respiratory consultations at the Juravinski Hospital.

Research Interests: Chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary physiology and the assessment of dyspnea.

After graduating high school, Dr. Tunks went to Medical School at the University of Toronto and graduated in 2004. Afterwards, he went back to the University of Toronto where he studied Internal Medicine which he completed in 2007. In 2009 he graduated from McMaster University’s Respirology Training Program. He continued with McMaster where he fulfilled his clinical scholar training until 2010. He also acquired additional training in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in both acute and chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Dr. Tunks primary interest is in chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary physiology and the assessment of dyspnea.

In 2010 Dr. Tunks became an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University. He is best known for his roles in inpatient and outpatient respirology, as well as Medical Step-down/CCU attending at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. He is the clinical lead for patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, where he is the medical director of the pulmonary function laboratory and the medical liaison to the department of respiratory therapy. He is the coordinator for the Division of Respirology’s regional clinical rounds. His duties also include doing respiratory consultations at the Juravinski Hospital.

Research Interests: Chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary physiology and the assessment of dyspnea.

Dr. Wald completed his medical school, internal medicine residency and fellowship training in respirology at McMaster University where he developed an interest in the management of chronic respiratory disease and exercise physiology. He subsequently completed a fellowship at the Montreal Chest Institute in pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic disease management. He returned to the firestone institute for respiratory health in July 2017 to begin his academic career with a focus on pulmonary rehabilitation and the comprehensive care of patients with COPD.

Research Interests: Management of chronic respiratory disease and exercise physiology

Dr. Wald completed his medical school, internal medicine residency and fellowship training in respirology at McMaster University where he developed an interest in the management of chronic respiratory disease and exercise physiology. He subsequently completed a fellowship at the Montreal Chest Institute in pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic disease management. He returned to the firestone institute for respiratory health in July 2017 to begin his academic career with a focus on pulmonary rehabilitation and the comprehensive care of patients with COPD.

Research Interests: Management of chronic respiratory disease and exercise physiology