Christopher Dunham

BSc, MD

Investigator, BC Children's Hospital

As a pediatric Neuropathologist, I am charged with the diagnosis and study of diseases of the nervous system in children. I examine abnormal tissues that are sampled from patients undergoing surgery or autopsy. These clinically derived tissues form the basis of my laboratory based practice and largely guide my research. Chiefly via microscopy, I am able to distinguish the culprit disease process(es) that is(are) affecting a patient; in turn, this information is then relayed to the primary care clinicians (eg, neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists etc.) and used to guide patient care.

One form of brain cancer has particularly captured my attention: Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). My research into ATRT is aimed at re-examining BCCH’s experience with this tumor and using this information to guide the treatment of future patients. In addition, in a BCCH Telethon funded project, I am investigating the microscopy and genetics of Anencephaly, most common congenital brain malformation which is considered to reside amongst the ‘neural tube disorders’.