Overview

Erik Suuronen is a Scientist in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, with a Cross-Appointment in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, at the University of Ottawa. In addition, he is a member of the Faculty of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies at the University of Ottawa, acting as supervisor to trainees at the undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral levels.

Background

Suuronen received his Bachelor's degree in Biology in 1996 and his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine in 2004, both from the University of Ottawa, followed by a post-doctorate at the Heart Institute.

During his studies, Suuronen was supported by fellowships and awards from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the International Foundation for Ethical Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. In 2007, he received the Young Investigator Award (first runner-up) from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Suuronen's doctoral research involved the use of tissue engineering methods to develop a model of the cornea, complete with nerves and surrounding sclera tissue containing blood vessels. His experience is being applied to cardiovascular research at the Heart Institute, where he is focusing on tissue engineering research for cardiac regeneration.