Watson, Peter
MD
Academic Rank(s): Professor Emeritus, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC
Affiliation(s): BC Cancer (Victoria Centre); Distinguished Emeritus Scientist, BC Cancer Research Institute / PHSA
Research and Scholarly Interests: Biobanking and biospecimen science; biomarkers of breast tumour progression and response to therapy; role of the immune system in breast tumour progression and evolution; S100A7 (psoriasin) in breast cancer; tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes; standards and quality assurance for biobanks
Clinical Interests: Breast pathology
Dr. Peter Watson is a Distinguished Emeritus Scientist at BC Cancer (an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) in British Columbia) and an Emeritus Professor at the University of British Columbia, and is actively involved in supporting the BC Cancer Biobanking and Biospecimen Research Services (BBRS) program. He completed his medical training at the University of Cambridge and St Thomas’s Hospital London, UK and specialist training in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Manitoba, in 1988. After fellowship training he established a career as a clinician-scientist at the University of Manitoba from 1993, prior to joining BC Cancer in 2005. He remains actively involved in biobanking work which over 35 years has included leading the development and operation of two provincial biobanks and large research initiatives to advance translational cancer research. He also serves as chair of the Biosamples Standing Committee for the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrows Health, as an external advisor to several international biobank programs, and has served as Deputy Editor for the international journal Biopreservation and Biobanking. His research program has focused on biomarkers of breast tumour progression and response to therapies. This work has included the discovery, validation, elucidation of the mechanism of action, and exploration of the therapeutic potential of the S100A7 gene in breast cancer. This research has led to the publication of over 250 scientific research papers in the fields of cancer research and biobanking.
Academic Background
- BA, Natural Sciences, Cambridge University, UK (1978)
- MA, Cambridge University, UK (1982)
- B.Chir (Distinction in Medicine), Cambridge University, UK (1982)
- MB, Cambridge University, UK (1983)
- Research Fellowship (with Dr. I. Carr), Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba (1983–1984)
- Residency in Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba (1984–1987)
- FRCPC, Anatomic Pathology, University of Manitoba (1988)
- Research Fellowship (with Dr. R. Shiu), Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba (1988–1993)
Awards and Recognition
- ISBER Outstanding Achievement in Biobanking Award (2023)
- PHSA+ Team Award – BC Cancer Tumour Tissue Repository (2020)
- Visiting Professorship, Westmead Research Hub, University of Sydney, Australia (2019)
- ISBER Special Service Award (2014)
- CIHR Scientist Award (1999–2004)
- US Army Academic Award (1999–2002)
- Detweiler Travel Fellowship, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (1999–2000)
- Burroughs Welcome Fund Travel Fellowship, USA (1999)
- Randox Junior Scientist Award, Canadian Association of Pathology (1997)
- Outreach Award, University of Manitoba (1995)
- MRC Clinician-Scientist Award, Phase I & II (1990–1999)
- MRC Fellowship (1988–1990)
- University of Manitoba Teaching Award (1986)
- Medical Prize, St. John’s College, Cambridge University, UK (1982)
- ICI Elective Bursary, Royal College of Pathologists, UK (1982)
- British Petroleum Education Trust Scholarship, UK (1975–1982)
Publications
Over 250 peer-reviewed publications in cancer research and biobanking. h-index: 91; i10-index: 226.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1642-0638
Google Scholar: View profile
Research Interest
Biobanking and biospecimen science; biomarkers of breast tumour progression and response to therapy; role of the immune system in breast tumour progression and evolution; S100A7 (psoriasin) in breast cancer; tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes; standards and quality assurance for biobanks
Current Projects In My Lab Include
Teaching Interest