Dr. David Litchfield re-appointed Chair, Department of Biochemistry

I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Litchfield has been re-appointed as Chair, Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2018.

Dr. Litchfield graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1982 from McMaster University. He received his PhD in Biochemistry in 1987, from Western University. In 1991, following post-doctoral training at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle he joined the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology as a Senior Investigator with a faculty appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. He was recruited to Western University as Associate Professor to the Department of Biochemistry in 1996. Dr. Litchfield's previous administrative experience includes Chair, Department of Biochemistry (2007-2012), Chair, Basic Sciences Chair Committee (2009-2010), Facility Director for the Functional Proteomics Facility within the London Regional Proteomics Centre (2003-present) and Chair, Graduate Studies, Department of Biochemistry (2002-2004).

Dr. Litchfield has trained more than 30 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and has published more than 100 publications. His research involves elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that control the growth and survival of mammalian cells since defects in these mechanisms underlie many human diseases including cancer, neurological disorders and immune dysfunction. Currently his work is focused on the development of systematic strategies to promote the development and validation of drugs for molecular-targeted therapy and personalized medicine. Dr. Litchfield was the recipient of the Excellence in Academics Award from the Department of Oncology, Division of Experimental Oncology (2011), the UWO Alumni Association's Professional Achievement Award (2005) and the Dean's Award of Excellence (2005).

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Litchfield on his re-appointment.


Dr. Michael J. Strong, Dean
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry