Myron R Szewczuk

Dr. Myron R Szewczuk is a Full Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University's School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences. With over thirty-five years of experience at Queen's University, he has established himself as a leading researcher in cancer immunology, cell biology, and receptor signaling. His work focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, inflammation, and receptor activation, with particular emphasis on glycosylation processes and Neu1 sialidase activity.

• Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences
• Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME), Research Centres & Institutes
• Editor-in-Chief of MOJ Polymer Science special issue on Insulin Receptor Signaling
• Editorial Board Member of Discovery Medicine
• Section Board Member of Biomolecules journal

Dr. Szewczuk earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physical Chemistry from the University of Guelph in 1971, followed by an M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Thermodynamics of Protein-Protein Interactions from the same institution in 1972. He completed his Ph.D. in Biology and Immunochemistry at the University of Windsor in 1974. His postdoctoral training included positions as a Killiam and NIH Post-doctoral Research Scholar at Cornell University Medical College, focusing on cellular immunology under Dr. Greg Siskind.

Dr. Szewczuk's research program centers on several interconnected areas that reveal fundamental mechanisms in disease pathophysiology. His work on Neu1 sialidase has uncovered its critical role in receptor activation across multiple systems, including TOLL-like receptors, insulin receptors, and cancer-related pathways. His laboratory has identified that Neu1 sialidase forms a molecular platform with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that is essential for receptor activation in health and disease. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cancer progression, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. His research on biased GPCR agonism has revealed novel mechanisms by which receptors can be selectively activated, opening new therapeutic possibilities. His work on medicinal marijuana has provided scientific foundations for understanding cannabinoid effects on cancer cells through specific receptor mechanisms.

Analysis of Dr. Szewczuk's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of receptor signaling, cancer metastasis, and therapeutic interventions. His work consistently explores how glycosylation processes regulate receptor activation and how this knowledge can be translated into novel cancer therapies. A significant theme is drug repurposing, particularly using oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) and aspirin in combination with standard chemotherapeutics to overcome treatment resistance. His research increasingly incorporates nanomedicine approaches for targeted drug delivery, especially using folate receptor-targeted systems. The laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how cytokines, sweeteners, and cannabinoids influence cancer cell behavior through receptor transactivation mechanisms, particularly focusing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tunneling nanotube formation in cancer metastasis.

• Nominated for Best Paper Award 2024 for 'Cutting-Edge Approach to Targeted Therapy'
• Editor-in-Chief appointment for MOJ Polymer Science special issue on Insulin Receptor Signaling
• Section Board Member for Biomolecules journal (Impact Factor: 6.064)
• Editorial Board Member for Discovery Medicine (Impact Factor: 3.222)
• Co-organizer of International Conference on Cancer Research & Nucleic Acids 2021
• Conference Chair for International Conference on Cancer Science and Therapeutics

Dr. Szewczuk has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, with many going on to successful careers in academia, medicine, and biotechnology. His trainees have consistently published in high-impact journals, with many receiving prestigious awards including Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Terry Fox Research Institute fellowships, and Queen's Graduate Awards. He has supervised PhD students to completion in approximately 3 years and MSc students in 1.5 years, with most students publishing multiple first-author papers. His undergraduate research students have contributed to publications and have gone on to medical schools and graduate programs. Dr. Szewczuk has secured funding from various sources including Mitacs Accelerate Postdoctoral Fellowships and industry partnerships with Encyt Biotechnologies. His research has resulted in an international patent filing (PCT/CA2011/050690) related to cancer treatment approaches targeting Neu1 sialidase.

Dr. Szewczuk leads a vibrant research laboratory that focuses on the molecular mechanisms of receptor activation and their implications in cancer and inflammatory diseases. His team employs advanced techniques in cell biology, molecular signaling, and nanomedicine to investigate how glycosylation processes regulate receptor function. The laboratory has developed innovative models for studying 3D multicellular tumor spheroids and has made significant contributions to understanding the role of Neu1 sialidase in receptor signaling platforms. The research group collaborates extensively with clinicians and scientists both nationally and internationally, contributing to a robust research environment that bridges basic science with clinical applications.