Jeffrey Weitz

Professor, Medicine

0000-0002-1092-7550

Dr. Weitz is Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University and Executive Director of the Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Dr. Weitz focuses his clinical practice on patients with thrombotic disorders. His research spans the spectrum from basic studies in the biochemistry of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis to animal models of thrombosis and on to clinical trials of antithrombotic therapy. The breadth of his work is highlighted by his over 500 publications in journals as diverse as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biochemistry, Circulation, Blood, Annals of Internal Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet, and 60 book chapters. The recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Weitz is a Fellow of the American Heart Association, the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

By focusing on the basic mechanisms by which anticoagulants (blood thinners) and thrombolytic agents (clot digesting drugs) work, Dr. Weitz has opened new avenues of investigation. His demonstration that thrombin bound to fibrin is resistant to inactivation by available anticoagulants stimulated the development of new drugs, some of which are already being used in clinical practice. Through other research, Dr. Weitz has provided an explanation for the puzzling clinical observation that the clot digesting drug, tissue-type plasminogen activator or t-PA, produces more bleeding than was originally anticipated. This work has paved the way for new drugs that may be safer than t-PA.

Dr. Weitz is involved in clinical trials examining optimal methods for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of clotting disorders. He also is an active participant in the education of medical students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows. In addition, he coordinates a graduate course in medical sciences and his laboratory is a fertile training ground for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in medical sciences and bioengineering.