Announcement: Dr. David Litchfield takes on Vice Dean role
I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Litchfield has been appointed as Vice Dean, Research & Innovation effective July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2023.Dr. David Litchfield graduated with an Honours BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1982 from McMaster University. He earned a PhD in Biochemistry in 1987, from Western University followed by postdoctoral training in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Washington Seattle. In 1991, he joined the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology at the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation with an academic appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Manitoba. He was then recruited to Western as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry in 1996 and in 1999 was cross appointed to the Department of Oncology.
In addition to his role as Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Dr. Litchfield’s administrative roles have also included Chair of the Biochemistry Graduate Education Committee from 2002 to 2004, Director of the Functional Proteomics Facility from 2003 to 2017, and Chair of the Basic Medical Sciences Chairs Committee from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015.
Dr. Litchfield’s research is directed toward elucidation of the biochemical mechanisms that control the growth and survival of mammalian cells since defects in these mechanisms underlie many human diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, neurological disorders and immune dysfunction. The current emphasis of this research is on the development of functional proteomics and chemical biology strategies to investigate protein kinases and the potential of kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents for applications of Precision Medicine. These studies have involved a number of collaborations locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Litchfield has also been an active member of the review community for scientific journals including Editorial Board of the Biochemical Journal and Executive Editor of BBA – General Subjects, as well as national and international granting agencies including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, US Department of Defense Lung Cancer Research Program, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Dr. Litchfield was the recipient of the Western University Alumni Association’s Professional Achievement Award in 2005, the Dean’s Award of Excellence in 2005, Western’s Faculty Scholar Award from 2005 to 2007 and the Excellence in Academics Award from the Department of Oncology, Division of Experimental Oncology in 2011.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Litchfield on his new role.
Dr. Michael J. Strong
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Distinguished University Professor
Arthur J. Hudson Chair in ALS Research
Scientist, Robarts Research Institute
