Brigitte Thériault

Experience

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  Jellett Biotek

  Sept 1999 - Apr 2001

  R&D Research Associate

  Project title: Optimization of the MIST Alert(TM) Rapid Detection Test for paralytic shellfish toxin detection.Contributions • Responsible for the production and QA/QC of antibodies for use in the MIST AlertTM lateral-flow immunochromatographic device in adherence with GLP/GMP guidelines• Evaluated the specificity, avidity and cross-reactivity of the antibodies to various PSP (Paralytic shellfish poisoning) toxins via ELISA according to GLP/GMP laboratory guidelines• Prepared and coordinated blood collection and injection schedules of animal colonies used in the production of anti-PSP antibodies• Assessed the quality control/quality assurance of reagents and laboratory equipment• Wrote and edited research reports and documentation in a standard operating procedure (SOP) format in accordance with USFDA guidelines Show less

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  Dalhousie University

  Apr 2001 - Nov 2007

  Thesis title: The role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 signaling in human ovarian cancer cell behavior.Contributions• Developed a novel research area (still active in the laboratory) from one initial observation that treatment of ovarian cancer cells with exogenous BMP4 induces a cell-spreading response• Determined that autocrine BMP4 signaling induces an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in primary human ovarian cancer cells, characterized by Rho-GTPase-mediated alterations in cellular behaviors (increased motility, adhesion, invasion) that can be blocked by the naturally-occuring pharmacologic inhibitor Noggin• Discovered that primary ovarian surface epithelial cells (OSE), a postulated cell of origin for ovarian cancer, do not respond to either autrocrine BMP4 or Noggin signals, demonstrating the importance of autocrine BMP4 signaling in promoting ovarian cancer progression• Studied other members of the TGFβ superfamily (BMP6, Activin A, TGFβ1) and uncovered a complexity of different signalling influences to which ovarian cancer cells may be exposed within the peritoneal cavity, providing insight into crucial signalling pathway(s) that contributes to primary ovarian cancer metastatic behaviours, suggesting strategies for therapeutic intervention Show less Contributions• Determined the positive effects of a Chinese traditional medicine (Gu-Sui-Bu) on the growth properties of in vitro cultures of primary mouse, rat and rabbit osteoblasts and osteoblasts• Studied the pharmacologic effects of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor Zileuton on gait recovery in a canine total hip replacement model• Managed daily laboratory operations, maintained accurate records and reported directly to the principal investigator• Trained and directed the research projects of multiple summer, Honors students and medical residents on research rotations Show less

  • PhD candidate

    Sept 2003 - Nov 2007

  • Laboratory Manager

    Apr 2001 - Sept 2003
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  University Health Network

  Jan 2008 - Dec 2012

  Post-Doctoral Research Scientist

  Project title: Kinesin family member 14 (KIF14) as a novel therapeutic target for serous ovarian cancer.Contributions• Demonstrated a role for the mitotic kinesin KIF14 in ovarian cancer progression • Determined that KIF14 is an independent prognostic biomarker of poor outcome for serous ovarian cancer patients • Studied the pre-clinical validation of KIF14 as a novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer • Identified cytokinesis-independent roles and novel protein-protein interactions for KIF14 providing the mechanistic basis for development of therapies to specifically target the carcinogenic function of KIF14 Show less

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  Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2022

  Project: Development of immunomodulatory kinase inhibitors for the treatment of colorectal cancers• Development of genetic target validation assays, in vitro primary human immune cell-based activity assays, as well as target engagement assays for the assessment of inhibitor activity;• Development of ex vivo pharmacodynamic assays for assessment of inhibitor activity;• Development of in vivo efficacy model.Project: Development of inhibitors for the treatment of AML • Development of in vitro and in vivo cell-based activity assays, target engagement and pharmacodynamic assays for assessment of target activity;• Demonstration of genetic and pharmacologic target validation and in vitro/in vivo target engagement with target inhibitors;• Development of in vivo efficacy assays for measurement of small molecule inhibitor activity;• Demonstration of in vivo efficacy, leading to declaration of pre-clinical lead candidates and successful partnership with a pharmaceutical company for clinical candidate development (IND-enabling studies).Project: Development of BCL6 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Lymphoma• Development of a high-content long-term proliferation assay to assess proliferation phenotype of lymphoma cell lines in response to treatment with anti-BCL6 compounds;• Generated both systemic and subcutaneous mouse xenograft models of lymphoma cell lines, for evaluation of tumour growth in response to anti-BLC6 compounds;• Demonstrated genetic and pharmacologic target validation, in vitro/in vivo target engagement and in vivo efficacy, leading to declaration of pre-clinical lead candidates and successful partnership with a pharmaceutical company (Janssen) for clinical candidate development. Show less

  • Senior Research Scientist, Drug Discovery Group

    Feb 2019 - Jan 2022

  • Senior Research Scientist, Biology Group

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2022

  • Research Fellow

    Jan 2013 - Dec 2013
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  Fusion Pharmaceuticals

  Jan 2022 - now

  • Senior Director, Biology

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Director, Biology

    Jan 2022 - now