Pawan K Singal, Professor

Dr. Singal is a Professor of Physiology and is Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital and the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. After 3 years in Saskatoon, Canada, as a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Medical Research Council, Dr. Singal joined the Physiology Department at the University of Manitoba as a lecturer, rose through the ranks and has been a Professor since 1990. He served as Associate Dean for the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba. He is also holder of the Naranjan S. Dhalla Chair established by the St. Boniface Hospital & Research Foundation. Internationally known for his work on oxidative stress and heart failure, Dr. Singal has made significant contributions in our understanding of the sequeale of heart failure. He has published 240 papers, has co-edited 25 books and trained more than 100 students, fellows and visiting scientists. He has received more than 50 national and international recognitions. The University of Manitoba has established an award in his name called ‘Pawan K. Singal Award for Graduate Students in Cardiovascular Sciences’. His name has been added to the Wall of Fame in the University Center at the University of Manitoba recognizing his outstanding teaching skills and research.

Academic Achievements

• B.Sc. (Biophysics), Panjab Univ., 1968
• M.Sc. (Biophysics), Panjab Univ., 1970
• Ph.D. (Physiology), Univ. of Alberta, 1974
• D.Sc., Panjab Univ., 1995
• Postdoctoral Fellow (Physiology), Univ. of Saskatchewan, 1974-77
• Research Associate (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1977-78
• Lecturer (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1979-82
• Assistant Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1982-86
• Associate Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1986-90
• Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1990-present
• Staff Scientist, St. Boniface General Hospital, 1987-present
• Associate Dean (Academic) Faculty of Graduate Studies, 2000-03

Research Interests

Dr. Singal’s laboratory initiated and has continued interest in describing the role of oxidative stress in heart cell pathophysiology. For this purpose, he employs three different animal models of congestive heart failure subsequent to: adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and a chronic pressure overload. Dr. Singal proposed that cardiac dilation may be due to a relative increase in the production of free radicals and lipid peroxides as well as a decrease in the "antioxidant reserve." This hypothesis has been proven by different hemodynamic, molecular biology and histological approaches. Changes in non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as vitamin A and E, are also being characterized to fully understand the oxidative stress changes and their consequences. A major breakthrough in the safe use of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin was achieved in the experimental model developed and reported in the past. More recently, the lab is also focused on investigating to mitigate the cardiotoxic side effects of Herceptin - another anticancer drug in use for breast cancer patients. This research may significantly change/improve therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cancer patients.
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See Also:

Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences

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