Dr. Richard James Alfred Wilson
Positions
Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Child Health & Wellness Researcher
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
Full Member
Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Full Member
Campus Alberta Neuroscience
Full Member
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Contact information
Phone number
Office: +1 (403) 831-7773
For media enquiries, contact
Kelly Johnston
Senior Communications Specialist
Please submit your media request here
Preferred method of communication
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Hyatt
patricia.hyatt@ucalgary.ca
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Learning opportunities
We have opportunities for trainees that share a passion for science and discovery and want to be in the fore front of innovative research.
Learning opportunities
BRAIN CREATE Neurotechnology Training Program breaks the mould of traditional graduate programs with an individualized trainee program
For more information click HERE
Background
Educational Background
Ph.D Neurobiology, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1992
B.Sc (Honors) Neurobiology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom, 1989
Research
Areas of Research
Our research examines how the brain, breathing, and cardiovascular system interact, and how dysfunction in one drives disease across the others. The brain regulates breathing and circulation; breathing shapes brain function, cardiac performance, and vascular control; and cardiovascular state alters both cerebral function and respiratory stability.
My lab takes an integrative approach, with particular emphasis on oxygen sensing, autonomic regulation, and cardiorespiratory failure, to understand and address serious diseases including sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, orthostatic hypotension, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, asthma, febrile seizure and sudden infant death syndrome.
While our science is driven by interest, the huge social and economic consequences of cardiorespiratory disorders motivate our investigations which include comparative and translational research ranging from animals to humans.
Our activities include research at high altitude were the cardiorespiratory system is particularly challenged, developing novel experimental preparations, medical technologies for monitoring physiological function (e.g., functional optical coherence tomography, fOCT) and drug discovery.
Recent foundational advances include (a) a cardiorespiratory chemosensory mechanism involving the nervous system which invokes asthmatic attacks, (b) new evidence suggesting that the cardiorespiratory circuit in the brainstem is more dynamic than previously thought, and (c) discovery of spinal oxygen sensors and a baroreflex intrinsic to the spinal cord, mechanisms that may have major implications for autoresuscitation and cardiovascular health after spinal cord injury.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Awards
- Nominee, Killam McCaig Teaching Award, University of Calgary. 2019
- Nominee, Killam McCaig Teaching Award, University of Calgary. 2018
- Nominee, Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award, University of Calgary. 2013
- AIHS Senior Scholar, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions. 2011
- AHFMR Scholar, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. 2004
- CIHR/HS New Investigator, Canadian Institute for Health Research/Heart and Stroke Foundation. 2002
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship for Pulmonary Research, Parker B. Francis Foundation. 1999
- Post Doctoral Fellowship, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. 1997
- Thematic Symposium in Circulatory & Respiratory Health Award, George Fodor National Research Forum for Young Investigators. 2005
- Luciano Morasca Young Scientist Award, 1991
Publications
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