Duncan J. Stewart, Senior Scientist, OHRI 

What We Do 
The Stewart Lab is focused on translational research utilizing stem/progenitor cells (i.e. endothelial progenitor cells EPCs, mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs], induced pluripotent stem cells [iPSCs]) for the treatment of cardiopulmonary and vascular diseases, together with enhancement strategies to increase their regenerative activity and overcome the deleterious effects of aging and attendant cardiac risk factors.

Ongoing projects range from basic science discovery research on novel mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension and the role of exosomes in mediating the therapeutic effects of stems cells in vascular disease, to translational research including clinical trials on gene-enhanced progenitor cell therapy for acute myocardial infarction and immunomodulatory cell therapy for septic shock.

The role of endothelial factors, such as nitric oxide and angiopoietins, in vascular health and disease, as well as in angiogenesis and neovascularization, continues to be a central focus for our work.

Our work is supported by:
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Ontario Research Fund (ORF)
Stem Cell Network (SCN)

Current Lab Members

Staff
Yupu Deng, Senior Research Associate
Kenny Schlosser, Senior Research Associate
Maria Florian, Research Associate
Danyaal Ansari, Research Technician
Anu Situ, Research Technician
Chi Wang, Research Technician (Lab Manager)
Anli Yang, Research Technician

Trainees
Jalil Azami, Postdoctoral Fellow
Savi Gupta, PhD Candidate
Yuan Tan, PhD Candidate
Elham Salehisiavashani, PhD Candidate
Elmira Safaie Qamsari, PhD Candidate
Abdul Karim Halal, Undergraduate Student