Dr Leigh Griffiths
Current Position:
Assistant Professor of Cardiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, CA.
Address: 2915 Audubon Circle
Davis
California, 95618
Date of Birth: 07/22/1971
Citizenship:
British, US Permanent Resident
Marital Status: Married
Phone:
Qualifications: VetMB, DSAS (Soft Tissue),
DACVIM (Cardiology), MRCVS, PhD.
E-Mail:
970 217 4351 (C)
530 754 0334 (W)
lggriffiths@ucdavis.edu
Education and Qualifications
Undergraduate
1982-1987
Kingsmead Comprehensive School
1987-1989
Stafford College of Further Education
1989-1995
Emmanuel College Cambridge, Cambridge University
Postgraduate
1996-1999
Residency in Small Animal Surgery, Glasgow University
Certificate of Small Animal Surgery
Diploma of Small Animal Surgery (Soft Tissue)
1998-1999
Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow
Certificate of Practical Microvascular Surgery
2001-2002
Fellowship in Cardiac Surgery, Colorado State University
2002-2008
PhD Research, Colorado State University
Thesis: Immunoproteomic Antigen Identification:
Application in development of a tissue engineered heart valve.
2004-2007
Resident in Cardiology, Colorado State University
Successful completion of ACVIM Diploma of Cardiology
2008-Present University of California, Davis
Teaching Scholar’s Program
11 ‘O’-Levels
5 Grade A ‘A’-Levels
‘S’-Level Chemistry
MA. Biochemistry 2.1
VetMB and MRCVS
Cert SAS (1998)
DSAS (2000)
Completed 1999
Completed 2002
PhD (2008)
DipACVIM (2007)
Completed 2009
Employment History
2007-Present Assistant Professor
University of California Davis,
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, Davis, CA 95616
Teaching Cardiology lectures to second and third year students, encompassing broad cardiology concepts
and consolidation of basic principles with an aim of smoothing the transition into final year. In my
student teaching evaluations for the VME 461A (small animal medicine – Cardiology), VME 462
(small animal medicine level II course – Cardiology) and VME 464 (large animal medicine –
Cardiology) courses of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, my mean teaching evaluation score for all
classes was 4.5, on a 5 point Likert scale.
Teaching of final year students during cardiology clinics, including daily case oriented teaching
rounds, clinical case discussions and topic seminars. I utilize a combined mentorship and
developmental teaching approach during clinical rotations to provide additional final year student
teaching. This effort focuses on guiding the development of students’ clinical skills such as
history taking, physical examination, problem list development, generation of differential
diagnoses and formulation of an appropriate diagnostic plan. My student evaluations during clinic
rotations have also been highly ranked, with a median teaching evaluation score for the classes of
2008-9 through 2011-12 of 6 on a 7 point Likert scale. Although my teaching assessments have
1
Service
been higher than course average in almost all sections, I have continued to take onboard student
concerns and refine my teaching practices where possible. In 2010 I re-organized the VME 461A
and 464 courses to address student concerns regarding cross-species content and scheduling of
examinations. The students had correctly identified that the previous course structure placed
students enrolled solely in the large animal (VME 464) course at a disadvantage. Through
discussions with the students, faculty and dean’s office I was able to re-organize the course to
remove this inequity.
Supervision and training of cardiology residents, utilizing both clinical case discussions and formal
teaching seminars. Resident teaching is an ongoing commitment utilizing case based discussions
intended to stimulate resident growth in cardiology, through focused discussion and literature
review. I lead the weekly journal clubs and presentations, which focus on fostering critical
thinking and providing a broad exposure to cardiology literature. As part of my commitment to
cardiology resident training I have solidified the previous journal club format, through organizing
this into a formal UC Davis course (VME433R). This course has an established, web based,
course site, through which I am able to archiving of journal club articles and highlight seminal
articles for future residents educational purposes. I have provided residents with mentoring and
guidance in establishing both clinical and laboratory based research projects.
Through establishment of the open heart surgery seminar (a weekly meeting through 2008 and
2009), I have drawn together faculty, residents and technicians from a diverse group of disciplines
(cardiology, small animal surgery, anesthesia, critical care). This seminar utilizes current
cardiovascular literature and a discussion based format, in order to establish a cohesive multidiscipline consensus for the management of cardiac surgery patients at UC Davis. The seminar is
extremely successful and well attended, fostering a strong collaborative approach in the care of
cardiac surgical patients in the VMTH.
I attended the UC Davis Veterinary-Medical Teaching Scholar Program, from October 2008 until
June 2009. The program was designed to foster excellence in teaching for faculty from the UC
Davis Veterinary or Medical schools. Faculty demonstrating outstanding commitment to teaching,
are accepted to the program based on recommendation of their department chair and dean. The
program consisted of 4 hours per week for a 9 month period. Teaching methods, teaching
philosophy, personal teaching perspectives, learning styles, assessment, course design, leadership
and curriculum planning were covered. Following this course I was asked to become a block
leader for the UC Davis curriculum committee, overseeing development of the cardiorespiratory
block content. Following successful completion of this assignment I received a letter of
commendation from the executive committee acknowledging the exceptional service provided to
the school through this effort.
In an effort to develop strong relations with referring veterinarians in and around UC Davis, I have
committed to giving continuing professional development seminars to a number of groups in the
northern California area (see Presentations to Professional Bodies and Learned Societies).
I have overseen the formation of the UC Davis cardiovascular surgery website. This site is
intended to provide information about the surgical options for dogs with cardiac disease, and
contains information of relevance to both referring veterinarians and clients. Through the
donations section of the website, the site is intricately linked to the cardiovascular medicine and
surgery development campaign which was developed through my collaboration with the UC Davis
development office.
In 2010 I was instrumental in development of the UC Davis cardiology service brochure, which
provides owners and referring veterinarians information about the service. The brochure
introduces the cardiology service personnel, details the available services and procedures, and
outlines service area’s of specific expertise.
I am a member of the VMD 402 (cardiopulmonary physiology) course review committee, charged
with reviewing and updating the course content. I have also participated in the School of
Veterinary Medicine curriculum review process through attendance at the town hall meetings,
individual meetings with members of the curriculum review committee and attendance at
curriculum review retreats. This effort, lead to my appointment as block leader for the UC Davis
curriculum development steering committee (CDSC), overseeing development of the
cardiorespiratory block. As block leader for both the CDSC I (2008-2009) and II (2009-2010)
2
curriculum review processes, I successfully completed the charge of the committee to work with
the faculty to produce the cardiorespiratory block content for the second year of the new
curriculum, which was successfully implemented into the new curriculum in 2012. Due to the
success of the CDSC I and II block development processes, I was appointed as Clinical
Cardiopulmonary Block Leader (2011-2012) for development of the clinical material to be taught
in the third year of the new curriculum and anticipate incorporation of this material into the
curriculum in 2013.
In 2010 I was chosen by the UC Davis veterinary school executive committee to serve as a
member of the Continuing Education and Extended Learning Committee. The duties of the
committee are to consider and make recommendations concerning application of the schools
recourses to provide continuing education to the local, national and international veterinary
communities. This activity lead to my appointment as Chair of the Continuing Education and
Extended Learning Committee in 2011. Under my guidance, the committee undertook a
comprehensive review of the schools continuing education offerings and role in the community.
The report produced by the committee was taken up by the dean’s office as a model for
implementation for a new continuing education initiative for the school. In 2012 I was reappointed
by the dean as Chair of the Continuing Education and Extending Learning Committee with the
charge of implementing the schools new continuing education initiative.
I am an invited reviewer for the Journal of Veterinary Anesthesia, Journal of Emergency and
Critical Care, Canadian Veterinary Journal, Journal of Small Animal Practice, Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Veterinary
Surgery, Journal of Veterinary Cardiology.
Additionally, on the basic science side of my research, I am an invited reviewer for Analytical
Biochemistry, Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials.
Research I have initiated ongoing clinical research projects and acted as a major mentor for cardiology
residents. These projects cover a range of questions pertinent to the field of cardiology (eg
prospective trial comparing two catheter based methods for closure of PDA, prospective study to
assess ventricular asynchrony in dogs with DCM and CHF, when compared to normal patients).
One of these clinical cardiology projects was funded in 2010 through UC Davis center for
companion animal health (CCAH). The prospective clinical trial will assess canine erythropoietin
levels (EPO) in patients with congestive heart failure due to degenerative mitral valve disease.
Previous publications in human medicine have demonstrated that the prognostic valve of EPO as a
biomarker in heart disease is superior to that of ANP or BNP.
In 2011 I continued my mentoring success, assisting several of the cardiology residents to
successfully complete grant applications for both intermural (CCAH) and extramural (AKC) grant
funding. These projects include assessment of the effect of pimobendan on the incidence of
arrhythmias (CCAH), Coumadin versus Clopidogrel in canine aortic thrombus (CCAH) and the
effect of IV infusion of doxorubicin on the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac troponin I
levels in dogs (AKC). These grants are currently underway and enrolling patients, and are
scheduled for completion in 2012-2013. Under my mentorship, the cardiology residents also have
several additional “no cost” clinical trials underway, including assessment of ventricular
synchrony in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease, and assessment of ventricular synchrony
in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.
In 2010 I have also mentored one of the final year veterinary students in a prospective study of
ventricular asynchrony in normal dogs. This important study corrects a deficiency in current
literature for canine patients, and will allow comparison ventricular synchrony in DCM or DMVD
patients to that of the normal population. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide new
treatment modalities for these patients using pacemakers to resynchronize ventricular function and
thus improve outcomes. This manuscript detailing this research was published in the journal of
veterinary cardiology in 2011.
In late 2008 we completed the full refit of my bench top research laboratory. During the refit, I
was able to successfully publish two research articles based of previously generated data. These
articles were accepted in extremely highly ranked journals (Electrophoresis - one of the worlds
leading analytical chemistry journals, with an ISI impact factor of 4.101. Biomaterials – number
3
Committee’s
2004-2007
one ranked materials science journal, with an ISI impact factor of 6.262) and as such represent the
world class nature of this research.
In 2009 I took on a PhD student from the biomedical engineering graduate group, who is working
on xenogeneic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. We have successfully attained a
Howard Hughes Medical Institute training grant to support this candidate’s position. Additionally,
an American Heart Association grant submitted in 2009 received a score which was less than 1%
below the pay-line. Additionally, the comments from this fellowship application lead to
submission of a more broadly applicable AHA scientist development grant, which was funded in
2011. The research projects underway as part of this students thesis are showing extremely
positive results, with the first manuscript already published in the top biomaterials journal in the
world (Biomaterials). The second manuscript from this students PhD is under submission with
Acta Biomaterialia (the second highest ranked biomaterials journal). The third paper takes the invitro data generated throughout the students PhD and examines the in-vivo response to the
biomaterial and is again anticipated for submission in 2012. This research was recently accepted
in a poster form for the 2010 biomedical engineering society annual meeting (BMES). An
additional benefit of this work has been submission of a patent application and NIH R21 and R01
proposals utilizing our novel patented antigen removal procedures. This student came to my lab
having already completed her course work, and I am proud of the fact that she will complete her
PhD in under 3 years in my laboratory.
In 2010 I took on a second PhD student from the molecular, cellular and integrative pathology
graduate group, who is working on xenogeneic heart transplantation and whole heart tissue
engineering. This project builds on our xenogeneic scaffold approach and utilizing this
information to generate an immunologically acceptable cardiac muscle and whole heart scaffolds
for tissue engineering. This project has also progressed rapidly, and has already lead to submission
of a Record of Invention to UC Davis intellectual property office which is anticipated for
submission as a pre-patent in 2012. The cardiac muscle scaffold created so far is undergoing
recellularization to produce a functional cardiac muscle tissue engineered construct. This PhD
student has received the Howard Hughes Medical Institute training grant in 2012, and also has
received a score which placed her only 3% below the payline for an American Heart Association
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship application in 2012 which is under resubmission.
I have developed a strong and ongoing collaboration with Dr Kyriacos Athanasiou (Chair,
department of biomedical engineering). This collaboration has lead to my involvement in an NIH
T32 application with Dr Athanasiou’s group. Additionally we are working on a R01 application
which received excellent reviews and scores in 2011 and is under resubmission at this time. I
advise several PhD students from Dr Athanasiou’s laboratory on xenograft rejection and
production of biological scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. These PhD students perform
experiments in my laboratory, which are critical to their overarching research questions. This
work is proving highly beneficial and preliminary results appear promising for publication by the
end of 2012. Additionally, this work has lead to submission of an NIH F32 fellowship application.
In 2010 I was invited to serve as a member of the UC Davis immunology graduate group (IGG)
executive committee. The IGG executive committee oversees all aspects of the graduate group,
which co-ordinates graduate student education in immunology at UC Davis and confers PhD
degrees to successful candidates.
2008
VMD 402 course review committee.
2009
Curriculum Development Committee I – Cardiorespiratory Block Leader.
2009
Shelter Medicine Search Committee.
2010
Telemedicine Committee.
2010
Curriculum Development Committee II – Cardiorespiratory Block Leader.
2010
Immunology Graduate Group Executive Committee.
2010
Continuing Education and Extended Learning Committee (Chair).
2011
Curriculum Development Committee - Block Leader Clinical Cardiopulmonary Block
2012
Cardiology Search Committee.
Resident in Cardiology
Colorado State University
4
Department of Clinical Studies, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Program: Clinical Clinical responsibility for referral cardiology cases, involving diagnostics, treatment planning and
ongoing case management; Collaboration with referring clinicians, both within the VTH and
externally, to provide diagnostic and therapeutic suggestion for ongoing clinical cases.
Presentation and discussion of cases at daily ward rounds.
Research Performed both clinical and laboratory research in a wide range of cardiovascular disciplines.
Main research effort focused in the area of mitral valve disease, with papers published on mitral
valve repair, and tissue engineering approaches to developing a viable canine mitral valve
replacement. My previous surgical training was also beneficial in development and publication of
a new minimally invasive technique for treatment of canine supravalvular pulmonic stenosis.
Seminars Weekly attendance at resident seminar series including presentation of seminars to faculty and
residents covering:Proteomics, Tissue Engineering, Mitral Valve Repair, Ventricular
Asynchrony and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Delivered graduate level electrophysiology
lectures to residents in the clinical sciences department as part of their combined masters program.
Attended weekly final year student case presentations and discussion.
Special Interest Development
As part of my residency I developed contacts with a number of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and
interventional cardiologists at local hospitals. This led to attendance at:Poudre Valley Hospital
Attended weekly cardiac catheterization rounds at the invitation of Dr Guadagnoli. This included
discussions with both interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in regard to presented
human cases, and veterinary cases dealt with at the VTH.
Youth Clinic
Attended quarterly Denver children’s hospital regional youth clinic. This included patient
examinations for a wide range of childhood cardiac disorders and in depth case discussions with
the attending cardiologists.
Electrophysiology
Participated in full in-service training given by Medtronics for pacemaker programming.
Performed electrophysiology mapping and ablation procedures under the guidance of Medtronics
representatives.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Performed a wide range of minimally invasive procedures with guidance and assistance of
interventional cardiologists from Denver Children’s Hospital (Dr Chen and Dr Boucek). These
procedures were performed both in the research and clinical environments.
2003-2007
Program:
PhD Program
Colorado State University
Department of Clinical Studies, Fort Collins, CO. 80523
Title
Proteomics approach to development of a tissue engineered heart valve.
Research Preliminary work completed during my cardiac surgery fellowship demonstrated that current
decellularization techniques were inadequate for removal of known antigens from xenogeneic
scaffolds intended for tissue engineering applications. This finding prompted a comprehensive
investigation aimed at determining which components and specific molecules are capable of
producing a rejection response in potential xenogeneic scaffold materials. This research has
previously been overlooked in the field of tissue engineering an oversight which likely lead to
catastrophic failure of one such scaffold (synergraft) during phase 1 human trials. Defining the
potential immunogenic molecules in a candidate xenogenic scaffolds represents the first step in
the production of a biologic scaffold which would be tolerated by the host.
I was heavily involved in writing a grant proposal in 2004-2005, which built on our preliminary
studies to produce a viable R21 NIH grant application, which was funded in 2006.
Prior to my joining the laboratory, no expertise existed in the field of proteomics and protein
chemistry. My PhD work has focused on developing the methodologies necessary for producing
2D gels from relatively acellular tissue of mammalian origin. Furthermore, my PhD work
required development of unique methods for producing 2D western blots utilizing poly-
5
polyclonal antibodies from animals exposed to the scaffold material. This work, along with my
previous Masters training in biochemistry, has given me a strong foundation for future research
efforts in the field of protein chemistry, biomedical engineering and immunology. This effort
resulted in 2 peer reviewed research manuscripts in truly world class journals (Biomaterials, the
number 1 ranked materials science journal in the world), and (Electrophoresis, the 4 th highest
ranked analytical chemistry journal in the world).
Future Research Goals It is my intention to build upon my PhD training with the aim of developing a strong research
laboratory. I believe that my cross training in Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical Engineering,
Protein Chemistry, Immunology and Proteomics, provides me with a unique background with
which to achieve my future translational research goals.
2002-2003- Fellowship in Cardiac Surgery
Colorado State University,
Department of Clinical Studies, Fort Collins, CO. 80523
Program: Clinical Full responsibility for all aspects of the CSU open heart surgery program including pre-operative
assessment and selection of cases, all client contact and education, scheduling of surgery, primary
or secondary surgeon during all procedures, recovery and post-operative supervision of intensive
care for the case. During my fellowship CSU I was able to double the number of open heart
procedures performed each year. Developed new protocols for the open heart surgery program
which allowed for significant shortening of pump run duration and significant improvements in
myocardial protection during surgery.
Worked as a medical cardiologist for the entire period of the fellowship; this included primary
responsibility for cardiology cases, echocardiography, minimally invasive catheter procedures
including catheter ablation, EP studies, coil thromboembolisation procedures, interarterial stent
placements and balloon dilation procedures.
Research Throughout the course of the fellowship I was active in the research laboratory developing
protocols for immunohistochemisty and western blotting to assess for known tissue antigens within
tissue engineering scaffold tissues. Decellularization of the scaffold tissue was then monitored
using the known antigens as markers for efficiency of the decellularization process.
Teaching Teaching of final year students in cardiology during clinics. Guest lectures to CSU student surgery
society on application of open heart surgery in veterinary medicine. Lectured to PVM students on
cardiovascular surgery and electrophysiology.
Special Interest Development
During my fellowship I developed contacts with pediatric cardiologists and both pediatric and
adult cardiac surgeons in the surrounding hospitals. This involved visiting weekly minimally
invasive procedure rounds, monthly children’s hospital appointments and visits to
electrophysiology procedures.
1999-2002 - Lecturer In Small Animal Surgery (Soft Tissue)
University of Liverpool Veterinary School,
Crown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside. England.
Program: Clinical Full clinical responsibility for management and surgery of referral soft tissue cases; collaboration
with veterinary medical colleagues concerning diagnostic and definitive surgical management of a
spectrum of conditions. Organisation of final year surgical rotation in soft tissue surgery including
surgical rounds, seminar teaching, small group discussion sessions and case based teaching.
Research Coordination of a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of oral Cyclosporin for treatment of anal
furunculosis in the dog. This was partially funded by Novartis and was a joint research project
with Glasgow University Veterinary School. Collaboration with the skeletal muscle assist research
group based in the department of human anatomy and cell biology at the University of Liverpool.
This involved technical assistance and guidance on the interspecies application of the groups’
work.
Teaching 4th and 5th year teaching commitment covering formal lectures, seminars, small group discussion
and case based teaching. Organisation of and lecturing at continuing professional development
meetings for practising Veterinary surgeons.
Special Interests Development
6
I continued to maintain close relations with the research groups I had become involved with whilst
at Glasgow University. I also developed further contacts with Dr J. Jarvis and Professor S.
Salmons in researching skeletal muscle ventricle development for aortic counter pulsation.
Promotion: Head of Small Animal Surgery - September 2000
Developed operating room protocols to facilitate the smooth throughput of cases in the surgical
suite. This resulted in a mean reduction in total anesthetic time of 50% allowing for a 100%
increase in the operating room load due to efficiency gains.
Developing the small animal surgical referral case load by altering the referral practice to compete
more effectively with private referral practices.
Supervision and responsibility for 2 other junior lecturers and one resident in small animal surgery.
Assisting the head of division in formulating and implementing new hospital protocols to improve
efficiency of patient handling, accuracy of case recording and administrative functions within the
small animal hospital.
1996-1999 Resident in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
Glasgow University Veterinary School
Bearsden Road, Glasgow, Scotland.
Program: Clinical Full clinical responsibility for management and surgery of referral soft tissue cases; collaboration
with veterinary medical colleagues concerning diagnostic and definitive surgical management of a
spectrum of conditions. Presentation and discussion of cases at daily ward rounds.
Research Devising protocols and implementing research projects using a variety of investigative techniques
including clinical case interrogation, morbid anatomical studies and laboratory investigations.
Compilation and interpretation of study data in the light of relevant literature leading to first author
research publications.
Seminars Weekly attendance at resident seminar series including presentation of seminars to lecturing staff
covering:- Pulmonary Foreign Bodies, Anal Furunculosis and Laryngeal Paralysis. Presentation
of seminar discussion groups to a mixed staff and residents forum covering:- GDV, Upper
Respiratory Tract Disease and Reconstructive Surgery.
Special Interests Development
As part of my residency I developed contacts in a number of specialized hospitals local to the
Glasgow area in order to further explore my areas of specialist interest and gain exposure to a
broad range of surgical procedures. This led to my attendance at:Canniesburn Hospital
Observed Microvascular and Reconstructive surgical procedures at the invitation of Mr M.
Webster (Consultant Plastic Surgeon).
Completed practical certificate of microvascular surgery under the tutelage of Mr M. Webster.
Western Infirmary
Observed a variety of cardiothoracic procedures at the invitation of Mr A. Faichney (Consultant
Cardiothoracic Surgeon).
Royal Infirmary
Attended many cardiothoracic procedures in both man and animal experimental models at the
invitation of Professor Wheatley (Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery). Attended weekly
cardiothoracic surgery resident rounds during 1998-1999.
Newcastle Hospital
Attended several thoracic surgical procedures performed in experimental animals at the invitation
of Professor P. Flecknell (Veterinary Surgeon and Anesthetist).
7
Presentations to Professional Bodies and Learned Societies
1998
1998
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
2000
Scottish BVNA
Glasgow University
Scottish BSAVA
BSAVA Congress
British Dental Ass.
Glasgow University
Weimeraner Society
BSAVA Congress
2000
2001
2001
2002
Craigellachie CPD
VetCPD
Liverpool University
BSAVA Congress
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
AVSTS
AVSTS
CSU SAVS
AVSTS
CSU
CSU Cardiology CE
CSU Postgraduate Seminar
Ann Technician Conference
CSU Cardiology CE
CSU Postgraduate Seminar
Experimental Biology
2006
2006
2008
2008
2009
CSU Postgraduate Medicine
CSU Cardiology CE
San Francisco VMA
Sacramento VMA
University of Davis, CA
2009 University of Davis, CA
2010 University of Davis, CA
2010 Gladstone Institutes, CA
2010 Stem Cell Program, CA
2011
2011
2012
2012
Central California VMA
Bay Area CKCS Club
Canine Medicine Club
NJ Biomaterials Symposium
Laryngeal Disorders and Diseases of Respiratory Tract.
CPD course covering Respiratory and Cardiac Surgery.
Laryngeal Paralysis.
Cyclosporin in the treatment of anal furunculosis (Research Paper).
Cleft Palate Surgery Association.
CPD course covering Reconstructive Surgery.
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus.
A Comparison of the Effects of Unilateral Thyroarytenoid Lateralization Versus
Cricoarytenoid Laryngoplasty on the Area of the Rima Glottidis and Clinical
Outcome in Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis (Research Paper).
Wound Management and Skin Grafting.
Thoracic Disease and Emergency Procedures.
CPD course covering Abdominal Surgery.
Detection of fluid in the canine tympanic bulla: ultrasonography versus radiography
(Research Paper).
Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Cardioplegia and Myocardial Protection.
Open Heart Surgery.
Mitral Valve Repair in 18 Dogs.
Cardiovascular Biomaterials.
Congestive Heart Failure.
A Proteomics Approach to Development of a Tissue Engineered Heart Valve.
Electrophysiologic Consequences of Metabolic Abnormalities.
Congestive Heart Failure.
Tissue Doppler Imaging Analysis of Ventricular Asynchrony in Dogs.
Proteomic Analysis of the Extent and Distribution of Immunogenic Proteins in
Xenogenic Bioscaffolds.
Electrophysiology.
Pathophysiology and Treatment of Heart Failure.
Cardiovascular Surgery in Dogs: Case Selection, Procedures and Outcomes.
Congestive Heart Failure: Diagnosis in Practice.
J.J. Kaneko-Japanese Board of Veterinary Practitioners Seminar: Natriuretic Peptides
in Congestive Heart Failure.
UC Davis Practitioners Day Seminar – Options for Cardiovascular Surgery.
3rd Annual Back to School Veterinary Technician CE Seminar – UC Davis
Cardiovascular Surgery Program.
Invited Speaker - Naturally Occurring Animals Models of Cardiovascular Disease.
Invited Speaker - Overcoming Xenogeneic Scaffold Immunogenicity: Past, Present
and Future Directions - UC Davis Stem Cell Program.
Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs: Diagnosis and Management
Advances in the Identification and Treatment of Cardiac Disease in the CKCS
A Practical Approach to Congestive Heart Failure
Decellularization versus Antigen Removal: Time for a Paradigm Shift?
Continuing Professional Development Attendance
ACVIM
American College of Veterinary Surgeons Congress
BSAVA Congress
Local BSAVA Meetings
Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons Congress
Western Infirmary Hospital – Cardiothoracic Surgery Seminar
Canniesburn Hospital Microvascular Surgical Rounds
Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons (USA)
Royal Society of Medicine Attended cardiothoracic session meetings,
8
Attended 2006
Attended 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003
Attended 1995-2001, 2002
Attended weekly 1996-1999
Attended 1997-2001
Weekly 1997-1998
Attended 1998
Attended 2002-2003
Attended 2000 – 2001
focusing on the advances in Cardiac Assist Procedures in humans.
Poudre Valley Cardiothoracic Surgery Rounds
Youth Clinic
World Heart Congress
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum
Attended Weekly 2004-2007
Attended Quarterly 2004-2007
Attended 2005
Attended 2006
Attended 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Professional Memberships
AVSTS
This group has a specific interest in veterinary soft tissue surgery and also aim to have
collaboration with the medical field.
Royal Society of
My membership includes participation in my areas of special interest and to
Medicine
further explore these interests I am involved in the forums for venous, arterial and cardiac surgery.
BSAVA
Member since 1995.
BVA
Member since 1995.
AVMA
Member since 2003.
UC Davis Graduate Group in Immunology
Member since 2009.
Executive Committee Member 2010 onwards.
UC Davis Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group
Member since 2010.
Biomedical Engineering Society
Member since 2010.
Grants and Contracts
Active
$ 4,939,140 - Collaborating Investigator - Extracellular Matrix Bioscaffold Augmented with Human Stem Cells for
Cardiovascular Repair. California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Early Translational Research Awards. 20%
Effort. 2012-2015.
$ 299,138 - Principle Investigator - Generation and recellularization of an inert, mechanically sound xenegeneic scaffold
for heart valve tissue engineering. American Heart Association, National Scientist Development Grant. 25% Effort.
2011-2015.
$ 54,028 - Principal Investigator, Generation of immunologically acceptable xenogeneic scaffolds for tissue engineering
applications, UC Davis - Center for Equine Health, Percentage Effort=5%. 2011-2013
$ 16,410 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Xenogeneic scaffolds for myocardial patch tissue engineering: Antigen
removal and mesenchymal stem cell immunomodulation. UC Davis, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Translational
Research Training Program entitled “Integrating Medicine into Basic Science”. 10% Effort. 2012-2013.
$ 4,000 - Principal Investigator (Mentor) - Effect of pimobendan on the incidence of arrhythmias, Center for Companion
Animal Health, Percentage Effort=2%. 2011-2013.
$ 4000 - Principal Investigator (Mentor) - Coumadin versus Clopidogrel in canine aortic thrombus, Center for
Companion Animal Health, Percentage Effort=2%. 2011-2013.
$ 12,960 - Principal Investigator - The effect of IV infusion of doxorubicin on the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and
cardiac troponin I levels in dogs, AKC canine health foundation, Percent Effort = As needed. 2012-2013.
Completed
$ 16,410 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Antigen identification and removal from xenogeneic biomaterials for heart
valve tissue engineering. UC Davis, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Translational Research Training Program entitled
“Integrating Medicine into Basic Science”. 10% Effort. 2008-2009.
$ 325,000 - Assistant Researcher - Proteomic discovery of xenogeneic biomaterial antigens, E. Christopher Orton
(Principal Investigator). NIH R21. 75% Effort. 2006-2008
$ 65,000 - Principal Investigator - Continuing investigations of cyclosporin administration in dogs with anal
furunculosis. Novartis Animal Health. 10% Effort. 2002-2003
$ 40,000 - Principal Investigator - Investigation of cyclosporin administration in dogs with anal furunculosis. Novartis
Animal Health. 10% Effort. 1998-1999
$ 3,920 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Erythropoietin as a biomarker in canine mitral valve disease. UC Davis
Center for Companion Animal Health. 2% Effort. 2010-2012.
9
Under Review
$ 1,874,353 - Principle Investigator - Xenogeneic Scaffolds for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering. NIH R01. 25% Effort.
2013-2017.
$ 1,259,733 - Collaborator - UC Davis Functional Engineering Approaches for Tissues (FEAT) Training Program. NIH
T32. As needed effort. 2012-2017.
$ 233,901 - Mentor - Antigen Removal from Xenogeneic Cartilage Based on Protein Solubilization for Production of a
Biocompatible Cartilage Graft. NIH F32. As needed effort. 2013-2015.
$ 129,000 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Antigen removal from xenogeneic tissues for use in whole heart tissue
engineering. Howard Hughes Medical Institute. As needed effort. 2012-2015.
$ 43,000 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Xenogeneic scaffolds for myocardial patch tissue engineering: Antigen
removal and mesenchymal stem cell immunomodulation. American Heart Association, Predoctoral Fellowship. As
needed effort. 2013-2015.
Unfunded Grants
$ 43,000 - Principle Investigator (Mentor) - Effect of protein solubilization protocols on xenoantigen removal and
mechanical properties of treated bovine pericardium. American Heart Association, Predoctoral Fellowship. As needed
effort. 2011-2013.
$ 384,062 - Principle Investigator - Tissue Electrophoresis in Heart Valve Tissue Engineering. NIH R21. 20% Effort.
2010-2012.
$2,257,940 - Principal Investigator, Immunoproteomic Identification and In-Silico Comparison of Xenoantigens, NIH
R01, Percentage Effort=35%. 2008.
$24,876 - Principal Investigator, Effect of protein solubilization protocols on xenoantigen removal & mechanical
properties of treated bovine pericardium, UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center, Percentage Effort=2%.
2009.
$3,788 - Principal Investigator, Transvenous coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus using the jugular venous
approach, Center for Companion Animal Health, Percentage Effort=2%. 2009.
$7,000 - Principal Investigator, Erythropoietin as a biomarker in canine mitral valve disease, American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine, Percentage Effort=2%. 2009.
$117,067 – Principal Investigator, Xenogeneic Scaffolds in Vascular Tissue Engineering, UC Proof of Concept,
Percentage Effort=20%. 2012.
$1,000,000 – Co-Investigator, An integrative approach to regenerative medicine: biomarker discovery and functional
genomics to optimize cellular therapy for humans and animals, UC Davis Research Investments in the Sciences and
Engineering, Percentage Effort=10%, 2012.
Patents
US patent application: “Methods for Processing Biological Tissues”.
application pending.
Provisional patent granted 2009, full patent
US patent application “Differential Solubilization of Antigen Components for Removal from Tissues”. Provisional patent
application submitted in 2012.
US patent application “Cytoskeletal Depolymerization and Solubilization Methods for Removing Immunogenic Antigens
from Tissues”. Provisional patent application submitted in 2012.
PhD Student Mentorship
2008 – Present
2010 – Present
2010 – Present
Maelene Wong - Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group. Member and PI.
Thesis: “Generation of a Xenogeneic Scaffold for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering”
Angeliki Papalamprou - Molecular Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group. Chair and PI.
Thesis “Whole Heart Tissue Engineered Constructs formed from Xenogeneic Scaffolds”
Gina MacBarb
10
Publications
1: Griffiths, L.G., Sullivan, M., Lerche, P. (1998). Intrathoracic tracheal avulsion and pseudodiverticulum following
pneumomediastinum in a cat. Veterinary Record 142, 693-696.
2: Griffiths, L.G., Sullivan, M., Borland, W.W. (1999). Cyclosporin in the treatment of anal furunculosis. Journal of
Small Animal Practice 40, 569-572.
3: Griffiths, L.G., Tiruneh, R., Sullivan, M. (2000). Oropharyngeal penetrating injuries in 50 dogs: A retrospective
study. Veterinary Surgery 29, 383-388.
4: Ridyard A.E., Corcoran B.M., Tasker S., Willis R., Welsh E.M., Demetriou J.L., Griffiths L.G. (2000).
Spontaneous laryngeal paralysis in four white-coated German shepherd dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 41,
558-561.
5: Griffiths L.G., Sullivan, M. (2001). Repair of cleft palate using two single pedicle mucosal rotational flaps. Journal
of the American Animal Hospital Association. Journal of American Animal Hospital Association 37, 183-186.
6: Griffiths L.G., Sullivan M., Ried S.W.J. (2001). Unilateral thyroarytenoid lateralization versus cricoarytenoid
laryngoplasty on area of the rima glottidis and clinical outcome in canine laryngeal paralysis. Veterinary Surgery 30,
359-365.
7: Doust R., Griffiths L.G., Sullivan, M. (2003). Clinical evaluation of once daily cyclosporine for the treatment of
canine anal furunculosis. Veterinary Record 152, 225-229.
8: Leigh G. Griffiths, Martin Sullivan BVMS, Turlough O’Neill, Stewart W.J. Reid (2003). Ultrasonography versus
radiography for detection of fluid in the canine tympanic bulla. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 44, 210-213.
9: Gonçalves A, Griffiths LG, Orton EC (2003). Xenogenic tissue-engineered heart valve: antigen removal and
recellularization. Circulation 108, IV-436.
10: Leigh G. Griffiths, Christopher Orton, June Boon (2004). Assessment of techniques and outcomes of mitral valve
repair in dogs. JAVMA 224, 1941-1945.
11: Gonçalves A, Griffiths LG, Anthony RV, Orton EC (2005). Decellularization of bovine pericardium for tissueengineering: antigen removal and recellularization. J Heart Valve Dis 14, 212-217.
12: Leigh G. Griffiths, E. Christopher Orton, Kenneth F. Reardon (2006). Proteomic analysis of the extent and
distribution of immunogenic proteins in xenogeneic bioscaffolds. 2006 Experimental Biology meeting abstracts [on
CD-ROM]. The FASEB Journal 20, Abstract #245.2.
13: Leigh G. Griffiths, Janice M. Bright, K. Chen Chang (2006). Transcatheter intravascular stent placement to relieve
supravalvular pulmonic stenosis. J Vet Cardiol 8, 145-155.
14: Leigh G Griffiths, E. Christopher Orton, Kenneth F. Reardon (2006). Proteomic analysis of immunongenic proteins
in xenogeneic heart valve bioscaffolds. 4th Annual Sienna ICES Conference.
15: Leigh G. Griffiths, E. Christopher Orton, Kenneth F. Reardon (2006). Proteomic analysis of the extent and
distribution of immunogenic proteins in xenogeneic heart valve bioscaffolds. 2006 American Electrophoresis Society
Conference.
16: Leigh G. Griffiths, Leila H. Choe, Kenneth F. Reardon, Steven W. Dow, E. Christopher Orton (2008).
Immunoproteomic identification of bovine pericardial xenoantigens. Biomaterials 29, 3514-3520.
17: Leigh G. Griffiths, Leila H. Choe, Kelvin H. Lee, E. Christopher Orton, Kenneth F. Reardon (2008). Optimization
of protein extraction and solubilization for bovine pericardium: A relatively acellular bioscaffold. Electrophoresis
28. 4508-4515.
18: Julie E. Blossom, Janice M. Bright, Leigh G. Griffiths (2010). Transvenous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in
56 consecutive dogs: Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 12. 75-84.
19: Maelene M. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2010). Protein solubilization for antigen removal from bovine pericardium in
heart valve tissue engineering: Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting.
20: Maelene L. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2010). Maintained Protein Solubility Enhances Antigen Removal from
Xenogeneic Tissue for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International
Society Conference.
21: Arai S., Griffiths L.G., Mama K., Hackett T.B., Monnet E., Boon J.A., Carter L., Orton E.C. (2011). Bioprosthesis
valve replacement in dogs with congenital tricuspid valve dysplasia: Technique and outcome. Journal of Veterinary
Cardiology 13: 91-99.
22: Griffiths L.G., Fransioli J.R., Chigerwe M. (2011). Echocardiographic Assessment of Interventricular and
Intraventricular Mechanical Synchrony in Normal Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 13: 115-126.
23: Jung S., Griffiths L.G. (2011). ECG of the Month. Atrial fibrillation. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association 238: 1258-60.
11
24: Maelene L. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2011). Antigen Removal Does Not Compromise Xenograft Properties or
Correlate to Histological Acellularity. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting.
25: Janelle L. Wong, Maelene L. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2011). Effect of Chaotropes on Antigen Removal in
Xenogeneic Scaffold Generation. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Conference.
26: Maelene L. Wong, Janelle L. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2011). Sequential, Differential Solubilization for Antigen
Removal in Xenogeneic Scaffold Generation. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society
Conference.
27: Maelene L. Wong, J. Kent Leach, Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Leigh G. Griffiths (2011). The Role Of Protein
Solubilization In Antigen Removal From Xenogeneic Tissue For Heart Valve Tissue Engineering. Biomaterials 32:
8129-8138.
28: SeungWoo Jung, Leigh G. Griffiths, Mark D. Kittleson (2012). Atrial fibrillation is a negative prognostic indicator
in large breed dogs with myxomatous mitral valve degeneration and congestive heart failure. American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum.
29: Maelene L. Wong, Janelle L. Wong, Leigh G. Griffiths (2012). Stepwise, solubilization-based antigen removal
maintains xenogeneic scaffold properties. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting.
30: Maggie Lin, Katherine Johnson, Leigh G. Griffiths, Kent E. Pinkerton (2012). Telemetric approaches to monitoring
blood pressure in a rodent model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American Thoracic Society.
31: Maggie Lin, Leigh G. Griffiths, Dale Uyeminami, Katherine Johnson, Kent E. Pinkerton, Koullis Pitsallides (2012).
A novel biotelemetry system to monitor blood flow velocity, blood pressure and temperature in small animals:
Preliminary data from cigarette smoke-exposed SH rats. Experimental Biology.
32. Manreet K. Singh, Mark D. Kittleson, Philip H. Kass, and Leigh G. Griffiths (2012). Occlusion Devices and
Approaches in Canine Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Comparison of Outcomes. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
26: 85-92.
33: SeungWoo Jung, Joao Orvahlo, Leigh G. Griffiths (2012). Aortopulmonary window characterized with two- and
three-dimensional echocardiogram in a dog. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 14: 371-375.
34. Geri A. Lake-Bakaar; Eric G. Johnson; Leigh G. Griffiths (2012). Aortic Thrombus in Dogs: 31 cases (2000-2010).
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 241: 910-915.
35: Maelene L. Wong, Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Leigh G. Griffiths. Stepwise solubilization-based antigen removal for
xenogeneic scaffold generation in heart valve tissue engineering (under submission). Acta Biomaterialia.
Book Chapters
1: Leigh G. Griffiths (2010). Anesthesia for the cardiac patient. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of
Veterinary Internal Medicine. Vol 2. Suanders Elsevier; Missouri: 1238-1243.
2: Leigh G. Griffiths (2010). Surgery for cardiac disease in small animals: Current techniques. In: Abbott JA, ed.
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. Vol 40. Elsevier Saunders; Missouri: 605-622.
12