London, ON - Dr. Robert Hegele, a professor in the
Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry at
Western`s Schulich School of Medicine and a
scientist at the Robarts Research Institute has been
appointed to the Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished
Medical Research Chair in Human Gene Function.
The new role will allow him to translate his
research on gene discovery and gene mutations
into strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of diseases such as diabetes, obesity,
stroke and heart disease.
"Since coming to London from Toronto, my
lab has successfully identified numerous genes
that cause early heart attacks, strokes and diabetes
in certain Canadian families and communities,"
says Hegele. "But finding these genes is just the
first step in the research process. We will now be
able to take our genetic discoveries to the next
level. We will be able to characterize the
complex mechanisms whereby these faulty genes
cause these diseases in our patients. These new
understandings will lead to new options and
approaches to slow the progression of these
illnesses."
Dr. Carol Herbert, Dean of Western`s Schulich
School of Medicine notes, "Dr. Hegele`s work will
build on the research underway at Western`s
Schulich School of Medicine and its affiliated
research institutions, which is vital to advancing
our knowledge and understanding of the
fundamental risk factors involved in diseases
affecting a growing population."
Hegele is an endocrinologist, scientist and
Director of the Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics
Lab at Robarts. An expert in the field of molecular
genetics and cardiovascular disease, his
accomplishments include discovering the genes
that cause eight different human diseases,
including aboriginal-type 2 diabetes and familial
partial lipodystrophy, as well as having made
significant contributions to the areas of clinical
teaching and mentoring of research trainees.
Hegele was awarded a Career Investigatorship
from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario,
was recognized by the American Heart Association
for making one of the top 10 discoveries in 2001,
and received the Young Scientist Award from the
Canadian Diabetes Association in 2002. He is also
the 2004 recipient of Western`s Hellmuth Award for
Achievement in Research.
For more information, please contact Christine
Roulston, Communications & Public Affairs, at
(519) 661-2111, ext. 85165.