Dr. Tim LaBranche

Dr. LaBranche’s research: characterizing / phenotyping rodent models of inflammatory arthritis. There will be opportunity for a student to work with classic histopathology, as well as the potential to utilize immunohistochemistry, laser-capture microdissection with gene array, and in-situ hybridization to answer more specific questions. Emphasis will be placed on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of inflammation. Interactions and collaboration with immunologists and rheumatologists at the Washington University in St. Louis Medical School are likely.

Dr. LaBranche’s background:

Tim is a veterinary pathologist with a research background in pharmacology (beta-adrenergic receptors on bovine neutrophils). Tim’s current roles in Pfizer Global R&D include supporting the company’s pipeline of new medicines by 1) helping characterize rodent models of inflammatory arthritis with the intent of uncovering a more complete understanding of the pathogenesis and heretofore identifying novel druggable targets, and 2) assessing the safety of compounds during the early stages of drug discovery and development.

Tim completed the dual DVM/PhD degree at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, after receiving his BS in Animal Science (also at Virginia Tech). He then completed the anatomic pathology residency at the University of Georgia. Tim moved to St. Louis in December 2006 with his wife, a small animal clinician, and his four kids (a Yellow Lab, a Jack Russell, and 2 cats).

While in veterinary school, Tim was enrolled in the Government / Corporate track offered at Virginia-Maryland, and through this program was able to spend significant time off-campus during his senior year at the FDA, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer Animal Health. These experiences afforded him the opportunity to get a first-hands feel for the workload and skill sets employed at these institutions, and gave him focus and motivation to pursue a pathology residency.