Dr. Angela Brooks-Wilson, PhD
Distinguished Scientist, Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer
| Phone | 604-675-8153 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 604-675-8178 |
| abrooks-wilson@bcgsc.ca |
Affiliations
Distinguished Scientist, BC Cancer Research Centre, BC Cancer
Professor and Chair, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia
Member, Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer
Professional Profile
Dr. Angela Brooks-Wilson is a distinguished scientist at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre. Her laboratory group investigates the genetic basis of cancer susceptibility. One of her primary interests is lymphoid cancers, which include Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and myeloma. Through collaboration with members of the Cancer Control Research Group at BC Cancer and others, Dr. Brooks-Wilson studies the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers in causing lymphoid cancers. She also collaborates with InterLymph, an international consortium of researchers studying the genetic and environmental basis of lymphoma. Her interest in cancer is complemented by her work on healthy aging, in which she studies "Super Seniors"—individuals 85 and older who have never been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, major pulmonary disease, diabetes or dementia.
Research Projects
The Healthy Aging Study
We invite anyone aged 85 or older to participate, regardless of their health status. If you are interested, call the study co-coordinator at 604-675-8151 or email studycoordinator@bcgsc.ca.
The number of elderly Canadians is increasing as the baby boomers age. The healthcare needs of this growing group will increasingly influence the volume of health care that will be required in the country as a whole. A minority of Canadians are fortunate to be disease-free and have a good quality of life beyond the age of 85. These people represent a group who may either lack susceptibility factors that contribute to disease in the majority of people or may possess resistance factors that enhance their ability to resist disease and prolong lifespan. Genetic variants found to be associated with healthy aging, or associated with protection against specific common age-related diseases, will be useful as prognostics in the tailoring of individual disease prevention programs. The Healthy Aging Study aims to identify genetic factors that underlie healthy aging and resistance to common age-related diseases. It involves more than 700 "super seniors": individuals 85 or older who have never been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, diabetes or dementia. Please call the study co-coordinator at 604-675-8151, or visit the Healthy Aging Study website.
Lymphoid Cancer Families Study
The Brooks-Wilson Lab has undertaken a family-based study to identify genetic factors contributing to lymphoid cancers including lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. Although most lymphoid cancers occur in people without a family history of the disease, the diagnosis of lymphoid cancers in more than one member of a family may indicate the existence of genetic susceptibility or other shared factors. The Brooks-Wilson Lab aims to identify genes involved in susceptibility to lymphoid cancers using Next Generation Sequencing methods. We continue to welcome new families to participate in this project. Please click here for details.
More information about the Brooks-Wilson lab is available here.