Chris Bladen

Biography

"My Education and work experience reflect two of my main passions in life, Science and the Environment. I have written over 30 Publications on these topics and have presented my work both nationally and internationally as both posters and oral presentations. I obtained my PhD in Neuroscience in December 2014 from the University of Calgary's faculty of Medicine. The focus of my thesis was pain, epilepsy and ion channel physiology, with a view to understanding the interactions between drugs and ion channels so that cures and better therapies can be developed for the numerous diseases associated with ion channels (Channelopathies). My skills include; extensive experience in Electrophysiology, Molecular biology and Biochemistry, obtained during the many years I have spent in both Academia and Industry. My new position at Macquarie University will build on this expertise by studying Drug/Ion Channel physiology, with an emphasis on developing novel Cannabinoid-based therapies that will regulate abnormal ion channel activity associated with epilepsy, pain and other diseases. 250,000 Australians currently live with epilepsy, and chronic pain costs Australian healthcare more than cancer, heart disease and HIV combined. Drugs that target ion channels is a multibillion-dollar industry due to their effectiveness in treating diseases. This project aims to identify selective and potent cannabinoids and define their mode of action on ion channels by electrophysiology and molecular biology approaches. My other passion is for Ecology and Environmental and Health Management. I recently graduated from the U of Calgary environmental management certification program which complimented my undergraduate background from Wales in Ecology. I used both my scientific and environmental background to help tackle some of the major environmental problems associated with Northern Alberta’s Oilsands mining industry, in particular, cleaning-up the vast tailings ponds created by this industry. "

Research Interest

Biomedical Sciences, Material Science