For many families and their children, the discipline of immunology offers the potential of innovative therapeutics in the ever-changing environment of pediatric healthcare. From deciphering the intricacies of the immune system, to harnessing its power for therapeutic interventions, researchers in pediatric immunology are at the forefront of changing the lives of young patients suffering with immune-mediated illnesses. Dr. Dilan Dissanayake is an example of such a researcher, having graduated from the Immunology PhD program at the University of Toronto in 2012, before finishing his MD in 2014 as part of the MD-PhD program. As an alum of our program, his trajectory from PhD to pioneering research in pediatric immunology is nothing short of inspirational. Despite his busy schedule, Dilan was able to put aside some time to chat about his past and present research, as well as the many lessons he’s learned along the way.
Dilan is currently a staff rheumatologist at SickKids hospital, a transition clinician-scientist at SickKids Research Institute, and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. Prior to taking on this position, however, Dilan completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Pamela Ohashi where his research interests revolved around dendritic cell biology. Through the use of adoptive cell transfer, Dilan focused on identifying cell-intrinsic factors of dendritic cells that affect their maturation. However, his learning did not stop at dendritic cells. When asked about the most valuable lessons learned during his PhD journey, Dilan emphasized the importance of resiliency and mentorship in navigating the complexities of immunology research. “I think persistence and sustained motivation is extremely important during your graduate studies, because it can be a long road with lots of ups and downs… being able to keep an eye on the bigger picture is something that I learned during my PhD, and I think this really helped when it came to my subsequent clinical training in terms of how I approached challenging situations.” He also stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the invaluable role of mentors in nurturing both scientific growth and personal development, stating how important it is to identify “mentors who can not only help your science, but also your growth as a scientist.”
Following his PhD, Dilan shifted from studying basic immunology to a more specialized area of research; that being pediatric rheumatology. Despite the differences in his past and present work, Dilan was quick to acknowledge how the two areas of research tie together. “I think the understanding of basic immunology is absolutely essential to rheumatology, but even more so when it comes to some of these auto inflammatory disorders where it’s a single dysfunctional protein… Understanding how we can use targeted treatment approaches to reverse the dysfunction is really impossible without a basic understanding of immune cells and the main pathways involved.” Beyond rheumatology, the pediatric arm of Dilan’s current work was largely inspired by his clinical experiences, in which he found that he connected well with kids and enjoyed working with them and their families. Upon the completion of his medical degree, Dilan merged his passion for immunology and pediatrics by specializing in pediatric rheumatology, where he was able to delve into the intricate world of autoinflammatory diseases. With an interest in bridging the gap between bench and bedside, Dilan took on the role of a clinician-scientist at SickKids – participating in a translational pioneering program that blends mentored research with clinical practice. By being enrolled in an initiative that offers research mentorship alongside a staff clinical appointment, the Transition Clinician Scientist Program provided Dilan with the platform to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying autoinflammatory disorders under the supervision of Dr. Rae Yeung. At the moment, his research interests center around understanding the dysregulation of the inflammasome and its implications for pediatric autoimmune diseases. Dilan’s work, spanning from genetic analysis to mechanistic studies, holds the promise of unlocking novel therapeutic approaches and revolutionizing the treatment landscape for young patients battling immune-mediated disorders.
Looking ahead, Dilan envisions establishing his own lab dedicated to unravelling the complexities of pediatric autoimmune diseases. With a strong interest in continuing to reside in Toronto, he aspires to contribute to the vibrant research community that has shaped his journey, while continuing to advocate for the well-being of pediatric patients. As a final piece of advice to the immunologists-in-training that make up our Toronto research community, Dilan emphasized the importance of perseverance: “There will be lots of ups and downs as I said before, but you just need to make the most of it and the ups will be worth it.”
As we celebrate the achievements of our alumni, Dilan’s journey stands as a shining example of the transformative impact of pediatric immunology research. His immense dedication to advancing the field reminds us of the profound impact that scientific inquiry can have on the lives of children and families around the world.
Arwa Hilal
