Keith Wheaton

Dr. Keith Wheaton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa, and serves as the Director of the Translational Molecular Medicine (TMM) Undergraduate Program. He is actively involved in curriculum development and science education, with a focus on active learning and student engagement in molecular medicine and aging biology.

Education:

• BSc, Biochemistry – University of Guelph
• BEd, Adult Education – Brock University
• PhD, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology – University of Calgary
• Post-doctoral Research – University of Toronto & York University

Research Interests:

Dr. Wheaton’s research spans molecular biology, cellular senescence, and cancer biology, with a particular emphasis on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway and its role in aging and Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. His work has contributed to understanding how replication stress and genomic instability drive premature aging phenotypes.

He is also a leader in science education, developing inquiry-based laboratory courses and integrating active learning strategies into biology and biochemistry curricula. He has taught in the Ottawa-Shanghai Joint School of Medicine and participates in the SEA PHAGES program, which engages undergraduates in genomics research.

Scientific Contributions:

Dr. Wheaton has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Molecular and Cellular Biology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Aging Cell. His work explores the molecular underpinnings of aging, the role of p53 in cellular senescence, and epigenetic regulation via ubiquitination and chromatin modification.

Teaching & Outreach:

He leads the TMM undergraduate program and teaches courses on aging, cancer biology, and molecular biology. He encourages undergraduate research and welcomes students to contact him for opportunities in the TMM program.