David Hess

The focus of Dr. Hess’ research is to understand the mechanisms by which distinct stem cell subsets co-ordinate hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. Ultimately, Dr. Hess is interested in the development of cellular therapies to mediate the repair of diseased, damaged, or ischemic tissues. Specific applications for his work include the use of transplanted human stem cells to promote wound healing and blood vessel formation in patients with ischemic vascular diseases, and to regenerate insulin-producing beta cells during diabetes.

In order to isolate and study the regenerative functions of human bone marrow or umbilical cord blood derived stem cells, Dr. Hess' lab has developed novel purification technologies to identify multiple (hematopoietic, endothelial, and mesenchymal) stem cell lineages isolated simultaneously using high-speed fluorescence activated cell sorting based on a conserved stem cell function (high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity) and cell surface markers. These progenitor cell lineages can be expanded efficiently in vitro and their regenerative functions are studied by the transplantation in immune deficient mouse models specifically designed to track the contributions of human cells during blood vessel formation during critical limb ischemia, and during the regeneration of islet function in hyperglycemic recipients. Ultimately, Dr. Hess hopes to impact the current clinical therapy for vascular disease and diabetes through the development of safe and effective stem cell therapies.

Education

PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

Training

• Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON. Supervisor: Dr. Mickie Bhatia.
• Post-doctoral Research Fellow/Research Associate, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Hematopoietic Development and Malignancy Group, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. Supervisor: Dr. Jan A. Nolta.

Awards

• MacDonald Scholarship, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• New Investigator Salary Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• Banting and Best Postdoctoral Fellowship, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund
• Harry and Gundrun Sharma Award for Research Excellence, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Western Ontario
• Medical Research Council PhD Studentship, National Health Research and Development Program, Health Canada
• Medical Research Council MSc Studentship, National Health Research and Development Program, Health Canada