Sarah Wootton

Program

Pathobiology and Biotechnology

About my research:

I am an Associate Professor of Virology in the Department of Pathobiology specializing in lung gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy and viral vectored vaccines. The overarching goal of research in my lab is to engineer viruses to prevent, treat and cure diseases, including monogenic lung diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer.

How will my research Improve Life:

In our lab, we genetically modify viruses to express therapeutic transgenes or antigens in order to prevent and/or treat genetic or acquired diseases in both humans and animals. This One Health approach aims to lower infectious disease burden, treat cancer and potentially cure genetic lung disease thereby reducing human and animal suffering.

Why choose grad studies at U of G?

One of the unique advantages of doing graduate work at the University of Guelph is that the graduate faculty are generally available to their students and very much hands on. Faculty are heavily invested in graduate student training as the majority of trainees in our labs are MSc and PhD students. For this reason, we are able to mentor our students in a manner that provides them with the skills necessary to excel in their chosen profession. Additionally, many faculty on campus have industry related grants which provide students with an invaluable opportunity to liaise with industry representatives.