Areas of interest

HIV, virology, drug discovery, molecular/cell biology, natural products, medicinal plants, traditional medicines

Education

• BA, Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania
• PhD, Biochemistry, Harvard University

Biography

Dr. Tietjen is a Research Assistant Professor at the Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology in Philadelphia, USA. He was previously an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, and has also worked as a Group Leader in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Cardiome Pharma Corp. in Vancouver BC and a Senior Scientist at Xenon Pharmaceuticals in Burnaby, BC.

Dr. Tietjen’s research focuses on mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and drug discovery and development. He uses cell biology, genetics and high-throughput chemical screening techniques to investigate the molecular properties of HIV reservoirs and virus replication and spread. He also conducts screens of chemical compound libraries, natural products, and traditional medicines to identify and characterize new antivirals. Dr. Tietjen also engages with local communities, medicinal plant healers, and other knowledge keepers to collaboratively and sustainably document and determine the bioactivities of traditional medicines used in Southern Africa, Canada, and elsewhere.