David Vesey

David graduated from the University of London with a BSc (Hons) in biochemistry (King’s College) and PhD which investigated the role of epidermal growth factor receptors in liver regeneration (Imperial College). Since then he has worked on a variety of projects including; immunoassay development (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics); artificial liver machine development (Imperial College); and p53 mutations in liver cancer (QIMR). He joined the Department of Nephrology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane in 1999. He is a senior lecturer in The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, a senior member of the UQ Kidney Disease Research Laboratory and manages the Princess Alexandra Hospital Endotoxin Testing Service.

His main research interests are in the area of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inflammation and also the mechanisms of renal cancer development – particularly the role that cytokines and growth factors play in these processes. Current projects include the role of protease activated receptor-2 in renal scarring, inflammation and cancer, the mechanism of heavy metal toxicity in the kidney and the renoprotective properties of erythropoietin. The Princess Alexandra Hospital Endotoxin Testing Service routinely tests samples from dialysis units throughout Queensland.