Alan Lazarus
PhD
Senior scientist
Other Titles/Affiliations:
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing, Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital
Research areas
- IVIg
- anti-D
- Fc receptors
- phagocytosis
- autoimmune diseases
- immune thrombocytopenias
Related Links
Brief biography
Dr. Alan Lazarus is a leading medical scientist specializing in transfusion medicine, immunology, and hematology. He holds aPhD in Microbiology and Immunology and has made significant contributions to the study of immune responses to blood products, with a focus on improving the safety and efficacy of therapies for immune diseases like immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Dr. Lazarus currently holds a key research role at Canadian Blood Services, where he investigates synthetic alternatives to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and novel approaches to antibody-mediated immune suppression. His work has been featured in top-tier journals, including Blood and The Journal of Immunology. He has received numerous accolades for his innovative research, including a Keenan Legacy Award, a CSTM Ortho Award and a Tibor Greenwalt Memorial Award.
Research interests
Dr. Alan Lazarus is a Canadian Blood Services Senior Scientist specializing in transfusion medicine, immunology, and hematology. His research focuses on immune mechanisms involving antibody-based blood products such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and anti-D. He has a specific interest in improving therapies for the autoimmune diseases ITP and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. He explores synthetic alternatives to IVIg and anti-D in situations where they are used. His recent work, featured in journals like Blood and The Journal of Immunology, also investigates the role of Fc gamma receptors in platelet destruction and the potential of novel therapeutic approaches to enhance transfusion safety. Additionally, Dr. Lazarus is dedicated to understanding how antigen loss and phagocytosis contribute to immune suppression in red blood cell alloimmunization.
Other appointments
- Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2011–present
- Full Member, Graduate Studies, Institute of Medical Sciences & Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 2003–present
Awards
- Keenan Legacy Award, 2023
- CSTM Ortho Award, 2020
- Tibor Greenwalt Memorial Award & Lectureship, AABB, 2015