Current Research

Determining robust osteogenic and chondrogenic phenotypes from Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular (HUCPV) cells.

HUCPV cells are non-hematopoietic cells obtained using a novel method, and are very fast proliferating and have a very high frequency of colony forming progenitors (see Rahul's work). In my Master's research, I will be further exploring osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials of these cells. Although we have obtained bone and a little cartilage using these cells in the past, the results are not robust and through careful examination of variables, I hope to determine a methodology to confidently obtain both bone and cartilage. Some of the variables that need to be considered are: serum used (both lot and amount), media used (for example different levels of glucose can affect differentiation), potential for different proliferation and differentiation media, and finally fine-tuning the dissection and digestion procedures used in obtaining the cells to ensure we are getting cells from the correct region. With these variables addressed, we hope to obtain a complete methodology that will produce a fast-growing, multipotential, allogenic cell source for many applications.

Background

As a biology major at Queen's University, I conducted my thesis on the uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in rainbow trout from Kingston Harbour sediment in Lake Ontario.

Awards and Scholarships

• Dean's List - Queen's University

Abstracts

J. E. Ennis, J. A. Dungavell, and P. V. Hodson, "Bioavailability of sediment PAHs to fish," Nippissing University Science Day, Canada, March 2004.

J. D. Dungavell, J. E. Ennis, T. P Cross, and P. V. Hodson, "Alterations in fish CYP1A induction by PAH due to temperature," Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference, Austin, TX, November 2003.

J. D. Dungavell, J. E. Ennis, T. P. Cross, and P. H. Hodson, "Temperature modifications of PAH-induced CYP1A activity in fish," Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Ottawa, Canada, September 2003. (Honourable Mention)

Personal Interests

Volleyball, squash, running, jazz.