Daniel Barreda

Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept

Contact Overview Courses Publications

Contact

Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept

Email: dbarreda@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-0375
Address: 5-22B Agriculture/Forestry Centre
9011 - 116 St NW

Edmonton AB

T6G 2P5

Overview

About

DEGREE

BSc, Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Victoria

PhD, Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Alberta

Postdoc, Medical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania

JOB/RESEARCH AREA

Immunology

AWARDS

A. Teaching Awards

1. Inspirational Instructor Award - Interdepartmental Science Students’ Society (2012).

2. Nominated for the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences Faculty Teaching Award (2012).

3. University of Alberta Provost Award for Early Achievement of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2011). This represents the most prestigious award in undergraduate teaching at the Assistant Professor level in the University of Alberta.

4. NACTA Teaching Award of Merit - North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (2011).

5. Teacher of the Year Award (2008-2009)– Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS).

6. Teacher of the Year Award (2007-2008)– Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS).

B. Research Awards

7. Nominated for the Canadian Society of Zoology (CSZ) Bob Boutilier New Investigator Award for Excellence in Research (2012).

8. Research and Innovation Award - Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (2011) for outstanding research contributions by a new faculty member.

9. Nominated for the NSERC Doctoral Prize for Research Excellence in Natural Sciences and Engineering (2004).

10. Nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal - Most Outstanding Doctoral Student at the University of Alberta (2003).

11. Banff Inflammation Workshop Young Investigator Prize (2003).

12. Alan Birdsall Memorial Scholarship: Research in Applied Fisheries Ecology & Management (2002).

13. Andrew Stewart Memorial Graduate Prize for Research Excellence (2000).

C. Scholarships and Travel Awards

14. ICI/FOCIS International Congress of Immunology Travel Award (2004).

15. NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2003).

16. International Society of Developmental and Comparative Immunology (ISDCI) Travel Bursary (2003).

17. Mary Louise Imrie Graduate Student Award (2003).

18. Department of Biological Sciences Travel Award (2003).

19. University of Alberta Dissertation Fellowship + tuition/fees (2002).

20. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Postgraduate Scholarship (2001).

21. NSERC PGS-B Scholarship (2000).

22. Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship (1998; 1999; 2000; 2001).

23. NSERC PGS-A Scholarship and increased stipend and Intersession Bursary (1998).

24. Graduate Teaching Assistantship (1997).

25. Walter H. Johns Tuition Scholarship (1997).

26. Faculty of Science GTA Scholarship (1997).

27. President’s Entrance Scholarship (1992).

28. Canada Scholarship – McGill University (1992 - declined).

29. B.C. Provincial Scholarship (1992).

Research

Current Research Interests

My laboratory is interested in the evolution of leukocyte immune defense mechanisms. Broadly, we research questions in the areas of innate immunity, phagocytosis, inflammation, host-pathogen interactions, and zoonosis. My research program includes both fundamental and applied studies in topics affecting human and veterinary medicine. I hold appointments in the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta. Currently, we are focusing our efforts on:

1) Evolution of control mechanisms for inflammation: Our long-term objective is to dissect the contributions of phagocytes as effectors and regulators of inflammation through evolution, and to understand the implications of these evolving roles to health and disease. We focus on the balance between pro-inflammatory and homeostatic responses at infection sites because of its relevance to host immunocompetence and disease prevention. Characterization of well-conserved pathways offers important evolutionary context for generation of the complex immune networks that now exist in higher vertebrates. Moreover, characterization of more recently developed features may help identify vulnerability gaps that allow for pathogen infiltration or which contribute to unwanted immune reactions (e.g. autoimmunity).

Representative projects:
a) Evolution of phagocyte responses to pathogens and homeostatic stimuli at infection sites
b) Contributions of a novel soluble CSF-1 receptor to innate antimicrobial responses across evolution
c) Divergent roles of macrophages and neutrophils in the induction and control of inflammation

2) Comparative immunology approaches for assessment of animal and environmental health: These correspond to cross-disciplinary projects that take advantage of academic-industry-government linkages to address relevant issues in animal and environmental health. The immunity aspect provided by my lab coupled to veterinarian support ensures that industry desirable outcomes (e.g. reduction in livestock methane reduction, increased bone strength, shifts in gut microflora composition) are not associated with negative changes in immunity and health. In other projects, our comparative models are also being used as bioindicators of environmental health (e.g. changes to fish immunocompetence following remediation of industrial effluents).

Representative projects:
a) Targeted disruption of rumen methanogen activity for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
b) Modulation of swine immunity and health in response to vitamin D metabolites.
c) A non-antibiotic nutritional immunomodulator to control bovine respiratory disease.
d) Safe reuse water: Assessment of the removal of chemical contaminants from reuse water using a fish biomonitoring system.

Our studies take advantage of a range of hosts that include cartilaginous and bony fish, avian and rodent animal models, as well as larger animal species that are critical to the Alberta economy. We utilize high-end techniques in flow cytometry, microscopy, cellular and molecular immunology, and protein biochemistry.

For additional information (including current postings) please refer to Barreda Lab main page at:
http://grad.biology.ualberta.ca/labs/barreda/

Courses

AFNS 511 - Veterinary Immunology

Application of immunological principles to the understanding of animal health and disease with a focus on livestock and companion animals. Students will apply a broad understanding of host-pathogen interactions and the basic mechanisms of disease progression to assess the short and long-term impact of pathogenesis to the health of animals, their caretakers, and consumers. Lectures will be followed by active discussion of selected readings. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 411. Prerequisites: IMIN 200 and consent of instructor.

Winter Term 2024

AN SC 411 - Veterinary Immunology

Winter Term 2024

BIOL 409 - Zoonoses

This course will examine the biology of zoonotic agents and the implication of host-pathogen interactions to disease susceptibility and resistance. Students will apply these basic concepts towards the understanding of issues governing pathogenesis, pathology, epidemiology, control and surveillance of zoonotic diseases. Focus will be placed on zoonotic agents currently having a significant impact on animal and public health. Lectures will be followed by active discussion of selected readings. Prerequisites: one of IMIN 200, ZOOL 352, ZOOL 354, ENT 392 or consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOL 409 and BIOL 509.

Fall Term 2023

BIOL 509 - Advanced Topics in Zoonoses

This course will examine the biology of zoonotic agents and the implication of host-pathogen interactions to disease susceptibility and resistance. Students will apply these basic concepts towards the understanding of issues governing pathogenesis, pathology, epidemiology, control and surveillance of zoonotic diseases. Focus will be placed on zoonotic agents currently having a significant impact on animal and public health. Lectures will be followed by active discussion of selected readings. Scheduled classes are the same as for BIOL 409, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOL 409 and BIOL 509.

Fall Term 2023

IMIN 405 - Innate Immunity

This course covers topics of innate immunity with emphasis on strategies for pathogen recognition, local and systemic activation of the innate immune response, and regulation of innate effector mechanisms. Innate defense strategies against pathogens as well as detection and elimination of tumors will also be covered. Lectures will be followed by active discussions of selected readings pertaining to current research in the subject area. Prerequisites: IMIN 371 or consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both IMIN 405 and 505. (Offered jointly by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Medical Microbiology and Immunology). [Biological Sciences].

Fall Term 2023

IMIN 505 - Advanced Innate Immunity

This course covers topics of innate immunity with emphasis on strategies for pathogen recognition, local and systemic activation of the innate immune response, and regulation of innate effector mechanisms. Innate defense strategies against pathogens as well as detection and elimination of tumors will also be covered. Lectures will be followed by active discussions of selected readings pertaining to current research in the subject area. Lectures and graded discussions are the same as for IMIN 405 but with evaluation appropriate for graduate students. Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both IMIN 405 and 505. (Offered jointly by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Medical Microbiology and Immunology). [Biological Sciences].

Fall Term 2023

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