Benjamin Rotstein, PhD, was recently appointed Scientist and Director of the Molecular Imaging Probes and Radiochemistry Laboratory at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Dr. Rotstein is also appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Rotstein joins us from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital where he pursued postdoctoral training in radiochemistry and molecular imaging and he was promoted to faculty in 2015. During his postdoctoral work, Dr. Rotstein discovered spirocyclic iodonium ylides for radiofluorination and contributed to the development of new enzyme and receptor tracers for positron emission tomography.
Dr. Rotstein obtained his BSc from Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College, Halifax, NS, and his PhD in Organic Chemistry from University of Toronto. His doctoral research focused on the reactivity of amphoteric molecules and their applications in macrocyclization of peptides.
His research program in the Molecular Imaging Probes and Radiochemistry Laboratory is directed towards the discovery of radiopharmaceuticals for both studying and diagnosis of disease conditions, and facilitating therapeutic development through the measurement of in vivo molecular target-ligand interactions. Specific cardiovascular imaging targets include biomarkers and therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, and heart failure. In support of these goals his lab develops innovative radiochemical methodologies for small molecule radiolabeling and bioconjugation with short-lived isotopes such as carbon-11 and fluorine-18.
Dr. Rotstein brings expertise in radiopharmaceutical synthesis and development to complement existing world-class cardiovascular imaging research at UOHI. In bringing new tools and technologies in radiochemistry, he will help streamline radiopharmaceutical production for clinical imaging. Working with clinicians and researchers studying cardiovascular disease, his radiopharmaceutical development program will help bridge target and biomarker identification and key applications for drug development and clinical diagnosis.
We welcome Dr. Rotstein, a star recruit to our Institute, and wish him every success as he sets up his laboratory.