Work in John Parker’s laboratory is focused on how viruses take control of cellular metabolism and biosynthesis.

• Viruses know how cells work. Can they help us understand too? Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot generate energy or synthesize new proteins. They rely on the cells they infect to do these things for them. Using mammalian reoviruses, the Parker lab is working to understand how the cellular translational machinery responsible for decoding the genetic code and turning it into protein is usurped during viral infection. They have found that mammalian reoviruses compartmentalize the translational machinery within viral “factories” in the cytoplasm. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which reoviruses achieve this compartmentalization will provide critical insights into viral pathogenesis, as well as the basic regulatory mechanisms that control cellular translation. This work is supported by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Training and development:

Dr. Parker directs two programs at the College of Veterinary Medicine that are helping to train the next generation of veterinary scientists.

• Comparative Medicine Training Program. This training program supports DVMs who are undertaking PhD training in comparative medicine. The program is supported by an NIH training award that provides funding for up to 3 years for six students. This program supports US-born DVMs throughout the College of Veterinary Medicine that are undertaking advanced scientific training leading to PhD Degree.
• The Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. Dr. Parker directs the Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. This internationally recognized program provides a summer research experience for highly talented DVM students who are interested in a career as a veterinarian in research and discovery. The program has existed for more than 25 years and more than 600 students have participated from veterinary schools throughout the world. Nearly 50% of participants have entered careers in research and discovery.

• 1978-1983, BVMS (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery)
  The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
• 1994-1999, PhD, Virology
  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  Dissertation title: “Studies of the capsid determinants of canine
  parvovirus host range and mechanisms of virus uptake and infectious
  entry into cells in vitro.”
• 1999-2000, Post-Doctoral Associate; Mentor: Dr. Colin Parrish
  Baker Institute for Animal Health
  College of Veterinary Medicine
  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  I was supported by an Individual National Research Service Award F32
  AI10134 entitled: “Research training in virus entry studies” (1999-
  2002. This award was re-allocated to Harvard University when I
  transferred to Dr. Nibert’s laboratory). During these studies I identified
  the canine and feline transferrin receptors as being the receptors for
  canine and feline parvoviruses respectively. I also showed that viral
  host range was in part determined by receptor differences.
• 200-2002, Post-Doctoral Associate; Mentor: Dr. Max Nibert
  Harvard Medical School
  Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
  Harvard University, Boston, MA
  At the beginning of these studies I was supported by a National
  Research Service Award (see above). In 2002, I was awarded a
  Mentored Clinical Scientist Award K08 AI052209 entitled: “Viral
  inclusion bodies and aggresomes.”

March 2009 -

Associate Professor of Virology
Baker Institute for Animal Health
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

2003 - 2009

Assistant Professor of Virology
Baker Institute for Animal Health
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

2002-2003

Instructor
Harvard Medical School
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Harvard University, Boston, MA.

PubMed - Complete Listing

• 2005-2010, Burroughs Welcome Fund Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease
• 2007, Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence.

• American Society of Microbiology
• American Society for Virology