Pawan K Singal

Biography

B.Sc. (Biophysics), Panjab Univ., 1968 • M.Sc. (Biophysics), Panjab Univ., 1970 • Ph.D. (Physiology), Univ. of Alberta, 1974 • D.Sc., Panjab Univ., 1995 • Postdoctoral Fellow (Physiology), Univ. of Saskatchewan, 1974-77 • Research Associate (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1977-78 • Lecturer (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1979-82 • Assistant Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1982-86 • Associate Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1986-90 • Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1990-present • Staff Scientist, St. Boniface General Hospital, 1987-present • Associate Dean (Academic) Faculty of Graduate Studies, 2000-03.

Research Interest

Dr. Singal’s laboratory initiated and has continued interest in describing the role of oxidative stress in heart cell pathophysiology. For this purpose, he employs three different animal models of congestive heart failure subsequent to: adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and a chronic pressure overload. Dr. Singal proposed that cardiac dilation may be due to a relative increase in the production of free radicals and lipid peroxides as well as a decrease in the "antioxidant reserve." This hypothesis has been proven by different hemodynamic, molecular biology and histological approaches. Changes in non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as vitamin A and E, are also being characterized to fully understand the oxidative stress changes and their consequences. A major breakthrough in the safe use of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin was achieved in the experimental model developed and reported in the past. More recently, the lab is also focused on investigating to mitigate the cardiotoxic side effects of Herceptin - another anticancer drug in use for breast cancer patients. This research may significantly change/improve therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cancer patients.