Dr. Tyler Lalonde

Chemistry and Chemical Biology                      

Texas A and M University

College Station, Texas, USA

• Supervisor: Prof. Wenshe Liu

Project: Drug Design and Discovery using Phage Assisted Continuous Evolution

PhD in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging 2014-2019

Organic Chemistry & Molecular Imaging                      

University of Western Ontario

London, ON, Canada

• Supervisor: Prof. Len G. Luyt

Project: Peptidomimetic Growth Hormone Secretogogue Agonists and Stapled Ghrelin-Mimic Peptides as PET and Fluorescent Imaging Agents for Cancer

HBSc Biochemistry - Graduated Cum Laude 2010-2014

Biochemistry                                   

Laurentian University

Sudbury, ON, Canada

• Honours Specialization in Biochemistry

• Supervisor: Prof. Joy Gray Munro

Project: AFM Studies of Protein Absorption on Magnesium Alloy AZ91

Awards - Total Value of $118, 450

1. Canadian Society of Chemistry Travel Award, Western University, Department of Chemistry – for the 26th American Peptide Symposium (2019) - $1000

2. Molecular Imaging Travel Award – for the 26th American Peptide Symposium (2019) - $300

3. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship (through NSERC), University of Tokyo (November 30th, 2019 to November 30th, 2021) – $108, 000 – Declined Offer

4. 35th European Peptide Symposium 2018 (Oral Presentation – 1st place Dr. Bert L. Schram Award in Young Investigator Oral Symposium) - $1125

5. Molecular Imaging Travel Award – for the 35th European Peptide Symposium (2018) - $400

6. 35th European Peptide Symposium Travel Award (2018) – $225

7. 25th American Peptide Symposium Bioconjugate Chemistry Travel Award (2017) – $2000

8. Molecular Imaging Travel Award – for the 25th American Peptide Symposium (2017) - $400

9. 25th American Peptide Symposium 2017 (Poster Presentation – 1st place Poster Award) - $550

10. Imaging Applications in Prostate Cancer Workshop 2017. (Poster Presentation – 1st place award) - $200

11. Molecular Imaging Travel Award – for 99th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (2015) - $500

12. 99th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition 2015 (Oral Presentation – 1st place award Biological and Medicinal Division) - $250

13. Cum Laude (Graduated with Distinction), Laurentian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (2010-2014)

14. Entrance and Merit Scholarship, Laurentian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (2010-2012) - $3500

Publications

1. Lalonde, T.; Shepherd, T. G.; Dhanvantari, S.; Luyt, L. G. Stapled Ghrelin Peptides as Fluorescent Imaging Probes. Pept. Sci. 2018, e24055, 1–9. (Special Canadian Issue). (PhD work).

2. Sullivan, R.; McGirr, R.; Hu, S.; Tan, A.; Wu, D.; Carlie, C.; Lalonde, T.; Arany, E.; Chakrabarti, S.; Luyt, L.; Dhanvantari, S. Changes in the Cardiac GHSR1a-Ghrelin System Correlate with Myocardial Dysfunction in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice. J. Endocr. Soc. 2017, 2, 178–189. (PhD work).

3. Abbas, A.; Yu, L.; Lalonde, T.; Wu, D.; Thiessen, J.D.; Luyt, L.G.; Dhanvantari, S. Development and Characterization of an 18F-labelled Ghrelin Peptidomimetic for Imaging the Cardiac Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor. Mol. Imaging. 2018, 17, 1-11. (PhD work).

4. Fowkes, M.M.; Lalonde, T.; Yu, L.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G. Peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogue derivatives for positron emission tomography imaging of the ghrelin receptor. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2018, 157, 1500-1511. (PhD work).

5. Perello, M.; Uriarte, M.; Francesco, P.D.; Fernandez, G.; Cabral, A.; Castrogiovanni, D.; Lalonde, T.; Luyt, L.G.; Trejo, S. The Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Transports Circulating Ghrelin into The Brain. Mol. Neurobiology. 2018, 1-15. Accepted September 21st, 2018. (PhD work).

6. Sullivan, R.; Randhawa, V.K.; Stokes, A.; Wu, D.; Lalonde, T.; Kiaii, B.; Luyt, L.G.; Wisenberg, G.; Dhanvantari, S. Dynamics of the Ghrelin/Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor System in the Human Heart Before and After Cardiac Transplantation. J. Endocr. Soc. 2019. Accepted February 11th, 2019. Advance Article. DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00393. 

7. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Hou, J.; Thibeault, P.; Milan, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Ramachandran, R.; Luyt, L.G. Single Amino Acid Replacement in G-7039 Leads to a 70-Fold Increase in Binding Towards GHS-R1a. Chem. Med. Chem, 2019, DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900466. Cover Article. (PhD work).

8. Morse, J.M.; Lalonde, T.; Xu, S.; Liu, W.R. Learning from the Past: Possible Urgent Prevention and Treatment Options for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Caused by 2019-nCoV. Chem. Bio. Chem, 2020, 10.1002/cbic.202000047. Co-Author. 

9. Sharma, N.; Barbon, S.; Lalonde, T.; Maar, R.; Milne, M.; Gilroy, J.; Luy, L.G. The development of peptide-boron difluoride formazanate conjugates as fluorescence imaging agents. RCS Advances, 2020, Manuscript ID: RA-ART-03-2020-002104.R1. Accepted on May 1st, 2020.

Completed Projects and Manuscripts in Progress

1. Lalonde, T.; Hou, J.; Thibeault, P.; Cai, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Ramachandran, R.; Luyt, L.G. Targeting the Ghrelin Receptor Homodimer: Bivalent Ligands with Exceptional Binding Affinity and Potency. 2019. (PhD work).

Conference Presentations

1. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Hou, J.; Thibeault.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Ramachandran, R.; Perrin, D.M.; Luyt, L.G.; The Ghrelin Receptor with a Heavy Appetite for Ghrelin Peptidomimetics: Applications in Imaging and Therapy. 26th American Peptide Symposium. Monterey, California. June 22nd-June 27th, 2019. (Poster Presentation)

2. Lalonde, T.; Hou, J.; Thibeault.; Dhanvantari, S.; Ramachandran, R.; Luyt, L.G.; Targeting Ghrelin Receptor Homodimer: Bivalent Ligands with Exceptional Binding Affinity and Potency. 35th European Peptide Symposium. Dublin, Ireland. August 26th-31st. 2018. (Oral Presentation – 1st place Dr. Bert L. Schram Award in Young Investigator Oral Symposium)

3. Lalonde, T.; Perrin, D.M.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Novel peptidomimetic GHSR-1a agonists for PET imaging of prostate cancer. 101st Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Edmonton, AB. May 16th-31st, 2018. (Poster Presentation) 

4. Lalonde, T.; Perrin, D.M.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Novel peptidomimetic GHSR-1a agonists for PET imaging of prostate cancer. 2nd Molecular Imaging Symposium. London, ON. May 1st, 2018. (Poster Presentation)

5. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Novel peptidomimetic GHSR-1a agonists for PET imaging of prostate cancer. 25th American Peptide Symposium/9th International Peptide Symposium. Whistler, BC. June 17th-22nd, 2017. (Poster Presentation – 1st place Poster Award)

6. Lalonde, T.; Dhanvantari, S.; Shaw, G.; Shepherd, T.G.; Luyt, L.G.; Stapled ghrelin (1-20) analogues for the targeting of GHSR-1a. 25th American Peptide Symposium/9th International Peptide Symposium. Whistler, BC. June 17th-22nd, 2017. (Poster Presentation – 1st place Poster Award)

7. Lalonde, T.; Dhanvantari, S.; Shaw, G.; Shepherd, T.G.; Luyt, L.G.; Stapled ghrelin (1-20) analogues for the targeting of GHSR-1a. Oncology Research and Education Day. London, ON. June 16th, 2017. (Poster Presentation)

8. Lalonde, T.; Shaw, G.; Shepherd, T.G.; Luyt, L.G.; Stapled ghrelin (1-20) analogues targeting GHSR-1a for use in cancer diagnostics. 100th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Toronto, ON. May 28th- June 1st, 2017. (Oral Presentation)

9. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Hou, J.; Dhanvantari, S; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Novel peptidomimetic agonists targeting GHSR-1a for PET imaging of prostate cancer. Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Showcase. London, ON. January 16th, 2017. (Poster Presentation)

10. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Hou, J.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Peptidomimetic GHSR-1a agonists as PET imaging agents for prostate cancer. Imaging Applications in Prostate Cancer Workshop. London, ON. November 25th, 2017. (Poster Presentation – 1st place award)

11. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Hou, J.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Novel peptidomimetic agonists targeting GHSR-1a for PET imaging agents in prostate cancer. Oncology Research and Education Day. London, ON. June 17th, 2016. (Poster Presentation)

12. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Peptidomimetic GHSR-1a agonists as PET imaging agents for prostate cancer. 99th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Halifax, NS. June 4th-9th, 2016. (Oral Presentation – 1st place award Biological and Medicinal Division)

13. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Peptidomimetics GHSR-1a agonists as PET imaging agents for prostate cancer. Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Showcase. London, ON. December 8th, 2015. (Poster Presentation)

14. Lalonde, T.; Fowkes, M.; Dhanvantari, S.; Kovacs, M.S.; Luyt, L.G.; Peptidomimetics GHSR-1a agonists as PET imaging agents for prostate cancer. Oncology Research and Education Day. London, ON. June 26th, 2015. (Poster Presentation)

Professional Services

1. Assisted in writing the 2019-2020 TAMU Collaborative Research Development Fund for the Dr. Liu group Drug Discovery Center.  

2. Wrote JSPS postdoctoral fellowship for the 2018 grant application. This project is in collaboration with Dr. Hiroaki Suga at the University of Tokyo.

3. Wrote CIHR postdoctoral fellowship for the 2018 grant application. This project is in collaboration with Dr. Wenshe Liu at Texas A and M University.

4. Assisted in the writing and contributed to the work involved in Dr. Len Luyts’ 2018 CIHR research grant application.

5. Assisted in reviewing a Manuscript for Dr. Len Luyt. (Dr. Len Luyt was one of the primary reviewers).

Teaching Experience at Laurentian University and University of Western Ontario

1. Integrated Science 1001X Teachers Assistant (Winter 2019) – 35 students

2. Medicinal Chemistry 3393 Teachers Assistant (Winter 2019) – 280 students

3. Organic Chemistry 3373 Teachers Assistant (Fall 2018) – 65

4. Integrated Science 1001X Teachers Assistant (Winter 2018) – 35 students

5. Medicinal Chemistry 3393 Teachers Assistant (Winter 2018) – 160 students

6. Organic Chemistry 3373 Teachers Assistant (Fall 2017) – 65 students

7. Integrated Science 1001X Teachers Assistant (Winter 2017) – 32 students

8. Organic Chemistry 3373 Teachers Assistant (Fall 2016) – 70 students

9. Medicinal Chemistry 3393 Teachers Assistant (Winter 2015 & Winter 2017) – 390 students

10. Organic Chemistry 2213/2223 Teachers Assistant (Fall 2014 to Winter 2016) – 1200 students

Committees and Extracurriculars

1. Physiology and Pharmacology Cardiovascular Journal Club. Western University. (2018 to 2019).  

2. Victoria Research Laboratories Journal Club at Victoria Hospital. (2016 to 2019).

3. Molecular Imaging Journal Club at Western University. (2014 to 2019).

Invited Lectures

1. University of Tokyo, Japan. Jan 24th, 2019. Lecture in front of Chemistry and Chemical Biology department.

2. University of Chicago. January 10th, 2019. Lecture in front of Chemistry department.

3. Texas A and M University. November 12th, 2018. College Station, Texas. Lecture in front of Chemical Biology department.

4. Assumption College High School. December 4th, 2018. Windsor Ontario. Lecture to high school students on research and life after high school.

5. London Cancer Research Trainee Forum. October 2015. London Ontario. Presentation on PhD Thesis work

Student Mentoring

1. Geran Tu. 4th year honors student. Department of Chemistry. University of Western Ontario. Fluorescent Integrated Stapled Ghrelin (1-20) Analogues for the Targeting of GHSR-1a in Cancer. Joining Luyt Group as a masters’ student in September 2018.

2. Peter Pham. Summer student from July 1st to August 31st, 2019. Taking over bivalent based projects as a new incoming graduate student in September of 2019.

Collaborations/Additional Projects

1. Dr. Rithwik Ramachandran: bivalent ghrelin analogues targeting the GHS-R1a homodimer

2. Dr. Jeffrey Keillor: Fluorescent integrated stapled ghrelin (1-20) analogues for the targeting of GHSR-1a in cancer

3. Dr. David Perrin: 18F labeling of peptidomimetics using organotrifluoroborates

4. Dr. Alfonso AbizaidBucio: Cyanine-5 ghrelin analogues for imaging

5. Dr. Mario Perello: FITC ghrelin analogues for neuroimaging

6. Dr. Luba Sominsky: Cyanine-5 ghrelin analogues for imaging

7. Dr. Savita Dhanvantari: Cyanine-5 ghrelin analogues and 18F labelled ghrelin peptidomimetics for cardiac imaging

Volunteer Experience

1. Volunteer as baseball coach for South London Baseball. London, ON, Canada. (September 2014 to 2018).

2. University of Western Ontario Chemistry Outreach. London, ON, Canada. (September 2014 to 2019).

3. Let’s Talk Science UWO. London, ON, Canada. (September 2015 to 2017)

4. Volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sister Canada in London, ON. (2015 to 2017)

5. Volunteer with Neuroradiologist at University Hospital in London, ON, Canada. (2015 to 2019)