Dunham, Christopher

Portrait photo of Christopher  Dunham

Dr.

Dunham, Christopher

BSc, MD, FRCPC

Academic Ranks(s):

Clinical Associate Professor, UBC, Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital

Affiliations(s):

BCCH/BCCHRI

Short Bio
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Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Dr. Dunham received his BSc in Science Psychology at the U of Alberta after which he obtained his MD from the U of Ottawa in 2001. His interest in Neuropathology was peaked by an early mentor, Dr. Vital Montpetit, Neuropathologist at Ottawa General Hospital. Dr. Dunham completed his residency training in Neuropathology at the U of Calgary under the tutelage of Drs. Bernadette Curry, Arthur Clark and Roland Auer. Upon graduation in 2006, Dr. Dunham spent a year of fellowship training in Molecular Neuropathology under the guidance of Dr. Arie Perry at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA. After completing his fellowship in June of 2007, and after spending a summer Neuropathology locum at the University of Saskatoon, Dr. Dunham joined the Dept of Path and Lab Med, Div of AP at C&W’s hospital in October of 2007. He is a full time Neuropathologist with interest in all areas of neuropathology including neuro-oncology.

Academic
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Academic Background

  • MD University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 2001
  • BSc with Specialization in Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. 1996

Professional Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC), Neuropathology. Jun 2006
  • Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC); Part I, June 2001; Part II.  Oct 2002

Awards and Recognition

Publications

Research
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Research Interest

  • Pediatric Brain Neoplasia
  • CNS Malformations
  • Hypoxic Ischemic Injury

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’.

Current Projects In My Lab Include

Teaching
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Teaching Interest

  • Pediatric Neuropathology; CNS Tumors