Dr. Peter Cadieux named to research chair

Lawson Health Research Institute today announced Dr. Peter Cadieux, has been selected the inaugural Miriam Burnett Research Chair in Urological Sciences. Cadieux is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Surgery (Division of Urology) and Microbiology and Immunology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and a Scientist at Lawson.

"I plan to use my research knowledge and experience to bring together several key, clinically-relevant research areas including bacterial infections, bladder cancer and probiotics," says Cadieux. "Currently, our research group has collaborations with basic scientists, clinicians and industrial partners both nationally and internationally, and through this position I seek to expand this network to further our research goals."

Dr. Cadieux's research background includes work on prostate cancer, probiotics, device-related urinary tract infections, bacterial biofilms and kidney stone disease. As Chair, he plans to focus his research on two major areas: bacterial biofilms in urology and the role of microbes in bladder cancer development, prevention and treatment. "Both areas will have a solid probiotic component to them as well", adds Cadieux. "Numerous studies have already demonstrated the ability of probiotic organisms to inhibit pathogenic biofilms and prevent bladder tumour recurrence, and we plan to identify specific mechanisms involved in these health benefits."

The chair is funded by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and the late Mrs. Miriam Burnett.