Warner Alpízar-Alpízar

Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow


Key Research Interests
- Gastric cancer biology.

- Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis.

- Expression of extracellular matrix degrading proteinases in gastric cancer development and progression.

- Expression of inflammatory mediators during gastric cancer development and progression.


Current project
I am investigating the expression of the components of the urokinase plasminogen activation (uPA) system in gastric cancer, as well as in pre-neoplastic conditions that lead to the development of this type of cancer (e.g. Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis). Particular attention is given to the potential link between the expression of uPAR in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa and H. pylori infection, which is the most well-established risk factor of gastric cancer. This project is conducted within the frame of a collaborative network between scientific groups of the University of Costa Rica, University of Bergen, Norway and The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.

I have compared the expression pattern and localization of uPAR in gastric cancer patient material from Costa Rica and Norway, which are countries with high- and low-risk for this malignancy, respectively. I have also studied the clinical usefulness of uPAR as prognostic factor in gastric cancer, emphasizing on the contribution to the prognosis of particular uPAR-expressing cell types, by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry.

I have performed localization studies for uPAR in human non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, and found that uPAR is expressed by surface epithelial cells that are in close proximity to H. pylori bacteria. This may have important implications on the etiology of gastric cancer and ultimately it may add to the identification of H. pylori-infected individuals, who face an increased risk of developing gastric cancer, particularly in populations with a high prevalence of the infection. Given its potential relevance, I am currently investigating systematically the connection between these two parameters in experimental Helicobacter-based mouse models of gastric carcinogenesis. For this study, I have received funding support from the Danish Cancer Society.


Career

2006-2010: University of Bergen:
Degree: Philosophiae doctor (Ph.D.).
TITTLE OF THE THESIS: Gastric adenocarcinoma: aspects of development and progression in high- and low-risk countries.

2001-2003: University of Costa Rica:
Degree: Magister Scientiae on Biology Focused on Genetics and Molecular Biology (honorific mention at thesis defense).

1995-2000: University of Costa Rica:
Degree: Bachelor Degree on Biology.


RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
RESEARCHER (Post-doctor) The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. (October 1st 2009- up to date).

GUEST RESEARCHER The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. (January 12th- September 10th, 2009; October 5th- November 9th, 2008; April 13th- June 14th, 2008 and September 2nd- 28th, 2007).

RESEARCHER (PhD Student) The Gade Institute, University of Bergen and Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway (August 2005-September 2009)

GUEST RESEARCHER The Infectious Diseases Laboratory, New York University School of Medicine (NYU), New York, United States (November 3rd to November 29th, 2003).

RESEARCHER Cancer Epidemiology Institutional Research Program, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José (2001-2003 as master student; temporary position: 2004-2005; collaborator: 2006 up to date).


TEACHING EXPERIENCE
GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY: Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica (May 2004-August 2005; August 2006-December 2006).

GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY: Universidad Hispanoamericana, San José, Costa Rica (May 2004-August 2005).