About Dr Gavin Jarvis
I am a pharmacologist and a qualified veterinary surgeon (non-practising). I have over 30 years of experience teaching pharmacology to medical, veterinary, pharmacy, and science students. I previously worked as a research pharmacologist at AstraZeneca on the project that discovered the anti-platelet drugs ticagrelor and cangrelor.
My primary academic interest is in drug action; I teach pharmacology to our medical students and conduct pharmacological research. I have a particular interest in drugs that affect platelet function. I also have a keen interest in the statistical analysis and modelling of laboratory data, as well as issues in medical and bioethics.
Teaching and supervision
In the School of Medicine, I teach and advise on all aspects of pharmacology on MBChB Medicine. I also supervise student SSC projects.
In addition, I am a personal tutor, I assist with interviewing candidates applying for medicine and contribute to the writing, reviewing, and assessment of exam questions.
Previous responsibilities include:
- Academic Lead for Year 2, Unit 12 on cardiovascular medicine
- Timetabling Lead for the School of Medicine
- PBL tutor for Year 1 and year 2 medical students
- Lectures on medical statistics and data analysis.
Interests
I am interested in the action of drugs on platelets. Recent projects include investigations into the mechanism of action of citalopram and Bcl-2 inhibitors on platelets, and also the use of 'big data' algorithms to identify novel anti-platelet activity in commonly used drugs.
Research
Platelet Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Platelets are small blood cells that are responsible for stopping bleeding following injury. They can also contribute to thrombosis and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin is widely used to reduce the risk of these cardiovascular diseases and works by reducing platelet activity. Aspirin is beneficial in these conditions, but is not completely effective and has well-known side effects. I have studied the action of drugs on platelets for over 30 years. During this time, I was involved in the discovery of the novel antiplatelet drugs, ticagrelor and cangrelor. Ticagrelor is now used in the clinic and is often used alongside aspirin: dual antiplatelet therapy.
I am also interested in drugs that may affect platelet function as a side effect. Citalopram is a widely used antidepressant but at high concentrations can affect platelet function. Together with my graduate student, Harvey Roweth, our research identified novel mechanisms of anti-platelet action of citalopram.
Other projects have included the characterisation of the platelet-activating properties of Bcl-2 inhibitors and the use of big data algorithms to identify novel anti-platelet activity in commonly used drugs.
Areas of expertise
- Pharmacology
- Drug use.
Further information
Academic publishing:
- Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports
- Statistical Adviser to Platelets
- Section Editor (Biostatistics and Experimental Design) for Laboratory Animals.
Memberships:
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons(opens in new tab) (non-practising)
- British Pharmacological Society(opens in new tab)
- International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis(opens in new tab)
- The Platelet Society(opens in new tab)
- British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis(opens in new tab).
I am a Governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre(opens in new tab).