Patricia Brubaker, PhD

Department of Physiology

Dr. Brubaker obtained her PhD at McGill University followed by post-doctoral studies at the University of Toronto, where she is now a Professor in the Departments of Physiology and Medicine at the University of Toronto. Since 1985, she has been actively involved in studies on the intestinal glucagon-like peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2. GLP-1 therapy is currently used to lower glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Brubaker's studies focus on the regulation of secretion of GLP-1 as a possible new therapeutic approach for these patients. Dr. Brubaker was also one of the original discoverers of the intestinotrophic actions of GLP-2, and a GLP-2 analog has very recently been approved to treat patients with short bowel syndrome. Her current studies on GLP-2 are related to the mechanism of action of this intestinal growth hormone. Dr. Brubaker has received several awards for her research, including the Canadian Diabetes Association Young Scientist Award (1998) and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Vascular and Metabolic Biology (2000; renewed 2007, 2015).

Reflection
My training philosophy is encompassed by two key concepts: "Knowledge is like a candle. When you light your candle from mine, my light is not diminished. It is enhanced and a larger room is enlightened as a consequence." (Thomas Jefferson) and "All of us make mistakes. The key is to acknowledge them, learn, and move on. The real sin is ignoring mistakes, or worse, seeking to hide them.” (Robert Zoellick)