People
Paula Foster, PhD
Paula Foster, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and leads the Cellular and Molecular Imaging Research Program at Robarts Research Institute. Her research is focused on the development and application of MRI cell tracking techniques and iron- and fluorine- based cell labeling technologies for in vivo imaging of cells in experimental animal models.
A major focus of research in the Foster lab is tracking cancer cell dormancy and metastasis and inflammatory cells associated with tumors, in preclinical models of breast cancer, melanoma and prostate cancer. Cellular therapy is another exciting area where these cell tracking techniques may be important. In the Foster lab cellular MR imaging is being used to monitor the fate of dendritic cell vaccines for cancer immunotherapy and transplanted mesenchymal stem cells to treat osteoarthritis.
The Cellular and Molecular Imaging Research Program is based on a broad spectrum of scientific and medical disciplines and incorporates a fundamental capability and drive toward translational research. The projects are broadly multidisciplinary, always involving teams of scientists with expertise in engineering and physics, molecular and cell biology, immunology, physiology and chemistry.
