Work in John Parker’s laboratory is focused on how viruses take control of cellular metabolism and biosynthesis.

• Viruses know how cells work. Can they help us understand too? Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot generate energy or synthesize new proteins. They rely on the cells they infect to do these things for them. Using mammalian reoviruses, the Parker lab is working to understand how the cellular translational machinery responsible for decoding the genetic code and turning it into protein is usurped during viral infection. They have found that mammalian reoviruses compartmentalize the translational machinery within viral “factories” in the cytoplasm. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which reoviruses achieve this compartmentalization will provide critical insights into viral pathogenesis, as well as the basic regulatory mechanisms that control cellular translation. This work is supported by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Training and development:

Dr. Parker directs two programs at the College of Veterinary Medicine that are helping to train the next generation of veterinary scientists.

• Comparative Medicine Training Program. This training program supports DVMs who are undertaking PhD training in comparative medicine. The program is supported by an NIH training award that provides funding for up to 3 years for six students. This program supports US-born DVMs throughout the College of Veterinary Medicine that are undertaking advanced scientific training leading to PhD Degree.
• The Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. Dr. Parker directs the Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. This internationally recognized program provides a summer research experience for highly talented DVM students who are interested in a career as a veterinarian in research and discovery. The program has existed for more than 25 years and more than 600 students have participated from veterinary schools throughout the world. Nearly 50% of participants have entered careers in research and discovery.

• 1978-1983, BVMS (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery)
  The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
• 1994-1999, PhD, Virology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  Dissertation title: “Studies of the capsid determinants of canine parvovirus host range and mechanisms of virus uptake and infectious entry into cells in vitro.”
• 1999-2000, Post-Doctoral Associate; Mentor: Dr. Colin Parrish
  Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  I was supported by an Individual National Research Service Award F32 AI10134 entitled: “Research training in virus entry studies” (1999-2002. This award was re-allocated to Harvard University when I transferred to Dr. Nibert’s laboratory). During these studies I identified the canine and feline transferrin receptors as being the receptors for canine and feline parvoviruses respectively. I also showed that viral host range was in part determined by receptor differences.
• 200-2002, Post-Doctoral Associate; Mentor: Dr. Max Nibert, Harvard Medical School
  Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard University, Boston, MA
  At the beginning of these studies I was supported by a National Research Service Award (see above). In 2002, I was awarded a Mentored Clinical Scientist Award K08 AI052209 entitled: “Viral inclusion bodies and aggresomes.”

Dr. Parker discusses his work in a video from the Cornell Feline Health Center's 2016 online annual report (video with transcript).

Read more about his work in the report.

Dr. Parker’s Current Projects:

• Mechanisms of virus-mediated compartmentalization of the host translational machinery
• Development of feline monoclonal antibodies for use as therapeutic and diagnostic

Additional Resources: 

If you would like a copy of Dr. Parker's CV please email Jamie Weber

• 2017 Leadership Program Annual Report
• Feline Calicivirus health article