Dr. David J. Speicher Curriculum Vitae
Educational Background
2018 – 2020
2016 – 2018
2007 – 2012
2005 – 2006
1999 - 2003
Post-doctoral Fellow (Bioinformatics and Clinical Epidemiology)
McMaster University, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences
M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
“Clostridioides difficile strain divergence and transmission in Southern Ontario”
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew G. McArthur
Post-doctoral Fellow (Molecular and Clinical Microbiology)
McMaster University, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine
M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
“Oral diagnostics of viruses” and “C. difficile and associated phages”
Supervisor: Dr. Marek Smieja
PhD (Virology)
Griffith University, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health
Menzies Health Institute Queensland
Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
“Characterization of Human Herpesvirus 8 in Australia and Kenya”
Supervisor: Professor Newell W. Johnson CMG
MSc with Honours (Clinical Microbiology)
Griffith University, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences
Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre (Royal Children’s Hospital)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Project 1: “Incidence and emergence of respiratory viruses in QLD, Australia.”
Project 2: “Expression and purification of Coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins.”
Supervisor: Associate Professor Theo Sloots
BSc. with Honours (Maj: Biology; Min: Chemistry)
Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Undergraduate Project on Rhodnius prolixus
Supervisor: Dr. Gary Chiang
Certificates
2019 Canada Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certification, CITI Program, Canada
2018 Distinguished Toastmaster, Toastmasters International
2018 Teaching and Learning Scholar, Macpherson Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2018 Foundations of Project Management, Mitacs, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2017 Teaching and Learning Foundations, Macpherson Institute, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2014 Advanced Safety in the Field (ASITF), United Nations Department of Safety and Security
2014 Basic Safety in the Field II (BSITF II), United Nations Department of Safety and Security
Honours, Awards, and Scholarships
2020 Faculty of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Leadership Award, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2016 Research Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2014 Best Poster, 7th World Workshop on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS. Hyderabad, India. November 6-9, 2014
2009 Travel Grant, The Mouth and AIDS: The Global Challenge, April 21-24, 2009, Beijing, China
2010 – 2011 Completion Assistance Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2008 – 2010 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2007 – 2012 Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2007 School of Dentistry and Oral Health Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2006 Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2006, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2005 Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2005, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
Professional Organizations
2007 – Present American Society for Microbiology
2005 – Present Toastmasters International
2019 – 2020 Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars
2016 – 2020 Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI)
2006 – 2014 The Australian Society for Microbiology Inc
Employment History
Academic
2021 – 2021 Laboratory Scientist, Epitome Genetics, Kitchener, ON, Canada
2018 – Present Research Associate, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2015 – Present Honorary Professor, Sree Balaji Dental College& Hospital, Balaji University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2014 – Present Senior Research Fellow (Adj), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2014 Senior Research Fellow, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia
2011 – 2013 Research Fellow, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
2001 – 2004 Laboratory Technician, Redeemer University College, Ancaster, ON, Canada
Scholarly & Professional Activities
Executive Positions
2018 – 2020 Co-chair, Executive Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Association, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2016 — 2018 Inter Campus Liaison Officer, Executive Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Association, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Professional Development
2021 Grant Writing Webinar Series, American Society of Microbiology
2021 Manuscript Writing and Publishing for Scientists, American Society of Microbiology
2019 23rd Biennial Evergreen International Phage Meeting. Olympia, WA, USA
2019 High Performance Computing & Machine Learning, SHARCNET and University of Toronto, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2018 Software/Data Carpentry Workshop, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2018 ‘OMICS and Epidemiology workshop, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2017 12 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The John Maxwell Team
2017 Instructional Skills Workshop, Macpherson Institute, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2017 Essentials of Productive Teams, Mitacs, Canada, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2016 2nd Global Health Diagnostics Course, McGill Summer Institute in Infectious Diseases and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2007 Virology Master Class, June 18-29, 2007, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Journal Referee (ad hoc)
Clinical Case Reports (Wiley) – 2020
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal – 2020
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology (Elsevier) – 2020
Clinical Case Reports (Wiley) – 2020
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal – 2020
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology (Elsevier) – 2020
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – 2020
Current Gene Therapy (Bentham Science Publishers) – 2017
Pathology (Elsevier) – 2015
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (Elsevier) – 2014
External Grant Reviews
2016 Project Grants, National Research Foundation, South Africa
Peer Review Activities
2021 Symposium Reviewer, COVID-19 & Public Health Forum, CPHA Conference
2019 – 2020 Merit Judge, Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2019 Poster Judge, Medical Sciences Research Day, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster, University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2017 – 2019 Poster Judge, IIDR Trainee Day, McMaster University. Hamilton, ON, Canada
Contribution of Scientific Societies
2009 – 2011 Co-chair of the Australian Society for Microbiology Student special interest group
2008 – 2009 Student Representative for Australian Society for Microbiology Queensland
Professional Activities
2020 Interviewee for 2 student groups, Exploring Perspectives on Disability (EPOD) learning event, School of Rehabilitative Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2019 Interviewee for 1 student group, Exploring Perspectives on Disability (EPOD) learning event, School of Rehabilitative Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2019 Co-host and Workshop Chair, Phage Directory with Dr. Jessica Sacher and Jan Zheng, BBS Seminar Series, School of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada. December 10, 2019
2018 Interviewee for 1 student group, Exploring Perspectives on Disability (EPOD) learning event, School of Rehabilitative Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
2017 Organizing Committee and Chief Judge, IIDR Trainee Day, McMaster University. Hamilton, ON, Canada
2009 Organizing Committee, Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Areas of Interest
Research: Infectious diseases, Virology, Bacteriology, Phages, Phage Therapy, Diagnostics, Saliva, Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, Surveillance, Serology, Molecular Methods, Oral Cancer, Sexual Transmitted Diseases, Coronaviruses, Emerging and Tropical Diseases, Clostridioides difficile, Antimicrobial Resistance
Teaching: Infectious diseases, Virology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Laboratory Methods
Teaching and Supervision
Courses Taught:
Teaching portfolio available upon request.
Undergraduate
KINE 2P09 Human Physiology (June 2019, 1 lecture), Brock University, Canada
2015MSC Laboratory Instructor (February to April 2007), Griffith University, Australia
Supervisorships
Research Funding
Principal investigator(s) name underlined on grants listed below. My name is in bold.
Project Grants
2016
(Completed)
2013
(Completed)
2012
(Completed)
2012
(Completed)
2012
(Completed)
2011
(Completed)
2011
(Completed)
2011
(Completed)
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Australian Dental Research Foundation Inc., Australia
$14,821
Identifying inherited epigenetic and microbiomic influences of dental caries.
Fernando S, Speicher DJ, Lea RA, Johnson NW
Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia
$15,000
Maternal, paternal, environmental and genetic influences on dental caries in children.
Johnson NW, Scuffham PA, Griffiths LR, Fernando S, Lea RA, Speicher DJ
School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University, Australia
$5,000
Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Human Herpesviruses and Human papillomavirus in Oral Fluids from HIV-positive Patients in Chennai, India.
Fernando S, Speicher DJ, Lea RA, Johnson NW
Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia
$15,000
Development of a serological algorithm for carriage of, or infection with, HHV-8 for use in Australia, India, and Papua New Guinea.
Speicher DJ and Johnson NW
DNA Genotek Grant Program, Canada
$25,000 plus 400 collection kits.
Salivary diagnosis of HIV, HHV-8 and HPV in two distinct HIV-positive populations: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and Chennai, India.
Speicher DJ and Johnson NW
Australian Dental Research Foundation Inc., Australia
$10,271
Salivary diagnostics of HHV-8 and HPV in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: a controlled study of HIV positive and negative subjects.
Speicher DJ, Amarasighe H, Johnson NW
Australian Dental Research Foundation Inc., Australia
$5,500
Saliva as a diagnostic fluid for Human Herpesvirus 8 carriage in man: a controlled study of HIV positive and negative subjects.
Speicher DJ, Johnson NW
Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia
$15,000
Herpesviruses and human papillomavirus in oral fluids from HIV-positive patients in India.
Johnson NW and Speicher DJ
Equipment Grants
2013
2012
2011
2010
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Griffith University, Australia
$32,000
Taylor Wharton Vapour Phase Cryotank
Hamlet S and Speicher DJ
Griffith University, Australia
$55,930
Bio-Rad Gel Doc Ezy, Tecan HydroSpeed Plate Washer, Infors Ecotron with cooling, Memmert Incubator INE550
Speicher DJ
Griffith University, Australia
$21,000
Biometra TProfessional PCR Thermocyclers
Speicher DJ
Griffith University, Australia
$190,000
Eppendorf EpMotion 5075 TMX, Roche LC480 Real-Time PCR machine
Hamlet S and Speicher DJ
Lifetime Publications
Book Chapters
1. Speicher DJ, Nasir JA, Zhou P, Anderson DE (2021) Whole-genome sequencing of pathogens in saliva: A target-enrichment approach for SARS-CoV. In: Adami, G. (ed) Oral Microbiome. Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press, New York, NY (in press).
2. Speicher DJ, Aziz RK (2021) Profiling the human oral mycobiome in tissue and saliva using ITS2 DNA metabarcoding compared to a fungal specific database. In: Adami, G. (ed) Oral Microbiome. Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press, New York, NY (in press).
3. Johnson NW, Gupta B, Speicher DJ, Ray CS, Shaikh MH, Al-Hebshi N, Gupta PC. Chapter 2. Etiology and risk factors. In: Shah JP, Johnson NW, editors. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group; 2018. p. 19–94.
4. Speicher DJ, Ali M, Smieja M. Respiratory Viruses. Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology, Eighth Edition: American Society of Microbiology; 2016. https://doi.org/10.1128/9781555818722.ch63.
5. Speicher DJ, Johnson NW: Improving the detection of human herpesvirus-8 in AIDS patients. In: Research priorities for meeting oral health goals in developing countries. edn. Edited by Rahmatulla M, Shah N. Hyderabad: Indian Academy for Advanced Dental Education; 2009: 66-79.
Journals Published
1. Jang D, Ratnam R, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Arias M, Clavio A, Costescu D, Elit L, Huang S, Herrero-Garcia E, Joseph AM, Jiang H, Needle R, Chernesky M (2021) Performance of the Alinity m HR HPV Assay on ThinPrep, SurePath and Alinity m Cervi-Collect Cervical Specimens. Tumour Virus Research. Accepted.
2. Shah A, Jang D, Martin I, Speicher DJ, Lidder R, Clavio A, Ratnam S, Smieja M, Chernesky M (2021) Workflow and throughput of commercial assays to detect Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance mediating mutations. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000001360
3. Misra A, Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Maciejewski J, Richard-Greenblatt M, Yu Y, Smieja M (2021) Self-collected oral flocked swabs to measure prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies and DNA amongst university students. Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease 100 (1):115295. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115295
4. Chernesky M, Jang D, Martin I, Speicher DJ, Clavio A, Lidder R, Ratnam S, Smieja M, Arias M, Shah A (2020) Comparison of Assays for the Diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide Resistance Mutations in Self-Collected Vaginal Swabs and Urine. Sex Transm Dis 47 (10):705-711. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001226.
5. Bielska IA, Manis DR, Schumacher C, Moore E, Lewis K, Agarwal G, Mondoux S, Jewett L, Speicher DJ, Liu RH, Leyenaar M, McLeod B, Upadhye S (2020) Health Sector responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada – January to May 2020. Volume 18 Issue 1 2020. doi:10.4467/20842627oz.20.010.12664.
6. Bielska IA, Embrett M, Jewett L, Buote R, Manis DR, Parikh M, Speicher DJ, Agarwal G, Nartowski RO, Finnegan H, Bandara T, Hamilton CB, Moore E, Liu RH, Roher SIG, Lopatina E, Nguyen DTK, Lawrence L, Lukewich J (2020) Canada’s multi-jurisdictional COVID-19 Public Health response – January to May 2020. Volume 18 Issue 1 2020. doi:10.4467/20842627oz.20.009.12663.
7. Alcock BP, Raphenya AR, Lau TTY, Tsang KK, Bouchard M, Edalatmand A, Huynh W, Nguyen AV, Cheng AA, Liu S, Min SY, Miroshnichenko A, Tran HK, Werfalli RE, Nasir JA, Oloni M, Speicher DJ, Florescu A, Singh B, Faltyn M, Hernandez-Koutoucheva A, Sharma AN, Bordeleau E, Pawlowski AC, Zubyk HL, Dooley D, Griffiths E, Maguire F, Winsor GL, Beiko RG, Brinkman FSL, Hsiao WWL, Domselaar GV, McArthur AG (2020) CARD 2020: antibiotic resistome surveillance with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database. Nucleic Acids Res 48 (D1):D517-D525. doi:10.1093/nar/gkz935.
8. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smith EJ, Castriciano S, Smieja M (2020) Non-invasive detection of IgG antibodies from common pathogenic viruses using oral flocked swabs. Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease 97 (3):115038. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115038
9. Jang D, Shah A, Arias M, Ratnam S, Smieja M, Chen X, Wang Y, Speicher DJ, Chernesky M (2020) Performance of AmpFire HPV assay on neck cervical lymph node aspirate and oropharyngeal samples. J Virol Methods 279:113840. doi:10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.113840.
10. Fernando S, Kumar S, Bakr M, Speicher DJ, Lea R, Scuffham PA, Johnson NW (2019) Children’s untreated decay is positively associated with past caries experience and with current salivary loads of mutans Streptococci; negatively with self-reported maternal iron supplements during pregnancy: a multifactorial analysis. J Public Health Dent 79 (2):109-115. doi:10.1111/jphd.12301.
11. Perera M, Al-Hebshi NN, Perera I, Ipe D, Ulett GC, Speicher DJ, Chen T, Johnson NW (2018) Inflammatory Bacteriome and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Journal of dental research 97 (6):725-732. doi:10.1177/0022034518767118.
12. Perera M, Al-Hebshi NN, Perera I, Ipe D, Ulett GC, Speicher DJ, Chen T, Johnson NW (2017) A dysbiotic mycobiome dominated by Candida albicans is identified within oral squamous-cell carcinomas. Journal of oral microbiology 9 (1):1385369. doi:10.1080/20002297.2017.1385369.
13. Speicher DJ, Ramirez-Amador V, Dittmer DP, Webster-Cyriaque J, Goodman MT, Moscicki AB (2016) Viral infections associated with oral cancers and diseases in the context of HIV: a workshop report. Oral diseases 22 Suppl 1:181-192. doi:10.1111/odi.12418.
14. Perera M, Al-Hebshi NN, Speicher DJ, Perera I, Johnson NW (2016) Emerging role of bacteria in oral carcinogenesis: a review with special reference to perio-pathogenic bacteria. Journal of oral microbiology 8:32762. doi:10.3402/jom.v8.32762.
15. Al-Hebshi NN, Nasher AT, Speicher DJ, Shaikh MH, Johnson NW (2016) Possible interaction between tobacco use and EBV in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral oncology 59:e4-e5. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.06.005.
16. Speicher DJ, Wanzala P, D’Lima M, Njiru A, Chindia M, Dimba E, Johnson NW (2015) Diagnostic challenges of oral and cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma in resource-constrained settings. Journal of oral pathology & medicine: official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology 44 (10):842-849. doi:10.1111/jop.12315.
17. Speicher DJ, Wanzala P, D’Lima M, Johnson KE, Johnson NW (2015) Detecting DNA viruses in oral fluids: evaluation of collection and storage methods. Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease 82 (2):120-127. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.02.013.
18. Fernando S, Speicher DJ, Bakr MM, Benton MC, Lea RA, Scuffham PA, Mihala G, Johnson NW (2015) Protocol for assessing maternal, environmental, and epigenetic risk factors for dental caries in children. BMC oral health 15 (1):167. doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0143-2.
19. Speicher DJ, Sehu MM, Mollee P, Shen L, Johnson NW, Faoagali JL (2014) Successful treatment of iatrogenic multicentric Castleman’s disease arising due to recrudescence of HHV-8 in a liver transplant patient. American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons 14 (5):1207-1213. doi:10.1111/ajt.12693.
20. Speicher DJ, Johnson NW (2014) Comparison of salivary collection and processing methods for quantitative HHV-8 detection. Oral diseases 20 (7):720-728. doi:10.1111/odi.12196.
21. Speicher DJ, Sehu MM, Johnson NW, Shaw DR (2013) Successful treatment of an HIV-positive patient with unmasking Kaposi’s sarcoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Journal of clinical virology: the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology 57 (3):282-285. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2013.03.005.
22. Speicher DJ, Johnson NW (2012) Detection of human herpesvirus 8 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction: development and standardisation of methods. BMC infectious diseases 12:210. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-210.
23. Mackay IM, Arden KE, Speicher DJ, O’Neil NT, McErlean PK, Greer RM, Nissen MD, Sloots TP (2012) Co-circulation of four human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in Queensland children with acute respiratory tract illnesses in 2004. Viruses 4 (4):637-653. doi:10.3390/v4040637.
24. Patton LL, Ranganathan K, Naidoo S, Bhayat A, Balasundaram S, Adeyemi O, Taiwo O, Speicher DJ, Chandra L (2011) Oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and management of HIV-related disease: Workshop 4A. Advances in dental research 23 (1):112-116. doi:10.1177/0022034511400079.
25. Johnson NW, Malamud D, Reznik D, Speicher DJ, Phelan J (2011) Mucosal fluids and biomarkers of clinical disease: workshop 3B. Advances in dental research 23 (1):137-141. doi:10.1177/0022034511400078.
26. Speicher DJ. Driving your research. Microbiology Australia. March 2009: 30(1):46-47.
27. Sloots TP, McErlean P, Speicher DJ, Arden KE, Nissen MD, Mackay IM (2006) Evidence of human coronavirus HKU1 and human bocavirus in Australian children. Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology 35 (1):99-102. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2005.09.008.
Journal Abstracts (published)
1. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Maciejewski J, Tsang KK, McArthur AG, Smieja. I03 Clostridioides difficile strain divergence over time. JAMMI 2019 Supplemental 4:P26.
2. Chernesky M, Jang D, Ratnam S, Shah A, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Martin I, Arias M, Clavio A. P06 Comparison of two commercial amplification assays, SpeeDx Resistance Plus MG and Seeplex STD6 ACE detection, performed on self-obtained vaginal and urine specimens for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium infections. JAMMI 2019 Supplemental 4:P42.
3. Jang D, Shah A, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Arias A, Clavio A, Ratnam S, Chernesky M. Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance mutations in vaginal swabs of Canadian women tested with commercial molecular assays. JAMMI 2019 Supplemental 4:P43.
4. Chernesky M, Jang D, Martin I, Shah A, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Clavio A, Arias M. P597, Comparison of assays and specimen types for the diagnosis of mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistant mutations Sexually Transmitted Infections 2019;95:A265.
5. Fernando S, Skelly E, Tadakamadla SK, Selway CA, Bakr M, Speicher DJ, Schuffham PA, Lalloo R, Kroon J, Weyrich L, Johnson NW (2019) The salivary microbiome associated with dental caries in Australian children Australian Dental Journal 64 (4).
6. Maciejewski J, Luinstra K, Speicher DJ, Jayaratne P, Smieja M. Detection of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile amongst hemodialysis patients. JAMMI 2018 Supplemental 3:P117.
7. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smieja M. Bacteriophages associated with Clostridium difficile infection. JAMMI 2018 Supplemental 3:P122.
8. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Castriciano S, Smieja M. SP29 Detection of viral antibodies via dried oral swabs. JAMMI 2017 Supplemental 2:P57.
9. Al-hebshi N, Perera M, Perera I, Ipe D, Ulett G, Speicher DJ, Nasher A, Maryoud M, Homeida H, Idris AM, Chen T, Johnson N (2017) The bacteriome and mycobiome associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma: metagenomic analysis of samples from Yemeni and Sri Lankan cohorts. Journal of oral microbiology 9 (sup1):1325188. doi:10.1080/20002297.2017.1325188
10. Speicher DJ, Amarasinghe A, Johnson NW (2016) Detection of human herpes viruses and HIV in patients from Southeast India. Australian Dental Journal 61 (4).
11. Kashchuk V, Speicher DJ, Johnson N (2014) Prevalence of HHV-8 in an HIV-negative population on the Gold Coast, Australia. Australian Dental Journal 59 (4).
12. Speicher DJ, Saravanan S, Kumarasamy N, Ranganathan K, Johnson NW. Comparison of plasma and salivary HIV loads determined via a coupling of the Abbott HIV detection system with the DNA Genotek OMNIgene™ DISCOVER (OM-505) kits. BMC Infectious Diseases 2014 14(Suppl 3):P80.
13. Johnson NW, Speicher DJ. Oral Kaposi’s sarcoma and the Global HHV-8 Story. Pathology 45: Supp 1, February 2013, Abstract S11. RCPA Pathology Update 2013 IAP Australasian Division 37th Annual Scientific Meeting.
14. Speicher DJ, Wanzala P, D’Lima M, Dimba E, Nijiru A, Perera R, Chindia M, Johnson NW Diagnosis of oral and cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma in Africa: Challenges involving histology and molecular detection. In, 2011. http://hivaidsconference.
Preprints (BioRxiv, MedRxiv, and Preprints)
1. Khurshid Z, Zohaib S, Joshi C, Moin SF, Zafar MS, Speicher DJ (2020) Saliva as a non-invasive sample for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review. medRxiv:2020.2005.2009.20096354. doi:10.1101/2020.05.09.20096354.
2. Nasir JA, Speicher DJ, Kozak RA, Poinar HN, Miller MS, McArthur AG (2020) Rapid Design of a Bait Capture Platform for Culture- and Amplification-Free Next-Generation Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Preprints doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0385.v1.
3. Tsang K; Speicher DJ; McArthur A. Pathogen Taxonomy Updates at the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database: Implications for Molecular Epidemiology. Preprints 2019, 2019070222 (doi: 10.20944/preprints201907.0222.v1).
Presentations
Presenter’s name is underlined. My name and year are in bold.
Oral Presentations
1. Speicher DJ. SARS-CoV-2: Where have all the influenzas gone? Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. February 12, 2021.
2. Speicher DJ. Non-invasive detection and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. 2nd Online Conference on Infectious Diseases – Coronaviruses”. Virtual Conference. December 7, 2020.
3. Speicher DJ. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in saliva. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. October 30, 2020.
4. Speicher DJ. Detection and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. March 6, 2020.
5. Speicher DJ. Faculty of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Association (FHS PDA) McMaster University. 2019 CAPS/ACSP Annual Meeting. Halifax, NS, Canada. November 3, 2019.
6. Speicher DJ. Phage Therapy: Two schools of thought. Which camp are you in? Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. October 18, 2019.
7. Speicher DJ. Coronavirus vaccines: Successes and failures from a mouse model. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. May 24, 2019.
8. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Maciejewski J, Tsang KK, McArthur AG, Smieja. I03 Clostridioides difficile strain divergence over time. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Ottawa, Canada. April 3-6, 2019.
9. Mertz D and Speicher DJ. C. difficile: The role of colonization and phages. ID/IIDR Rounds. McMaster University. June 6, 2018.
10. Speicher DJ. Target-enrichment for the in-depth analysis of viral genomes. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. February 8, 2019.
11. Speicher DJ. CrAssphage: The most abundant virus in the human gut. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. September 29, 2018.
12. Speicher DJ. The influence of bacteriophages on Clostridioides difficile toxigenicity. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. February 2, 2018.
13. Speicher DJ. Clostridium difficile-associated Bacteriophage profiles in Faecal Microbiota Transplant Patients. 22nd Biennial Evergreen International Phage Meeting. Olympia, WA, USA. August 6-11, 2017.
14. Speicher DJ. Control of multidrug-resistant bacteria via bacteriophages. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. May 13, 2017.
15. Speicher DJ. Detection of viral antibodies via dried oral swabs. In-service seminar. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada. April 20, 2017.
16. Speicher DJ. Risk of transmitting HHV-8 by blood transfusions. Virology Journal Club. Public Health Ontario. March 24, 2017.
17. Speicher DJ. Saliva as a diagnostic tool. Workshop. Sree Balarji Dental School, Barath University. September 9, 2016.
18. Johnson NW and Speicher DJ. Epidemiology of HHV-8 in HIV infections. India. Invited Plenary. XXV Conference of the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists and the 18th International Congress of Oral Pathology. Chennai, India. September 8-16, 2016.
19. Speicher DJ, Boobalan, Kausalya G, Saravanan S, Johnson NW. Potentially Infectious HIV and Herpesviruses are in saliva of HIV-positive individuals. IADR/AADR/CADR 93rd General Session, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. March 11-14, 2015.
20. Speicher DJ. Saliva as a Diagnostic Tool: The usefulness of the OMNIgene●Discovery Kits. In-service seminar. DNA Genotek. May 15, 2015.
21. Speicher DJ, Saravanan S, Kumarasamy N, Ranganathan K, and Johnson NW. Comparison of plasma and salivary HIV loads determined via a coupling of the Abbott HIV detection system with the DNA Genotek OMNIgene™Discover (OM-505) kits. 2nd International Science Symposium on HIV and Infectious Disease (HIV SCIENCE 2014). Chennai, India. January 30 – February 1, 2014.
22. Johnson NW and Speicher DJ. Oral Kaposi’s sarcoma and the global HHV-8 story. Melbourne under the Microscope. Pathology Update 2013. Melbourne, Australia. February 22-24, 2013.
23. Speicher DJ, Wanzala P, D’Lima M, Dimba E, Njiru A, Achila R, Bulimo W, Johnson NW. Histological and molecular diagnosis of Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Kenya. 2nd Medical and Veterinary Viral Research Symposium, Mombasa, Kenya, October 18, 2012.
24. Speicher DJ. Disseminating KS-IRIS in an HIV-positive patient lacking HHV-8 viraemia. Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting. Brisbane, Australia. July 1-4, 2012.
25. Speicher DJ, Johnson NW. Evaluation of a new commercial kit for the detection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in saliva. Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference. December 2-3, 2009.
26. Speicher DJ, Wanzala P, D’Lima M, Dimba E, Nijiru A, Perera R, Chindia ML, and Johnson NW. Diagnosis of oral and cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma in Africa: Challenges involving histology and molecular detection. 23rd Annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM). Canberra, Australia. September 26-28, 2011.
27. Speicher DJ, Sehu MM, Mollee P, Griffin A, Shen L, Noris D, Yarwood T, Playford EG, Faoagali JL. “Post liver transplant patient presenting with HHV-8 associated multicentric Castleman’s disease: the role of qPCR.” PA Week, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD. August 16-20, 2010. http://www. health. qld. gov. au/pahospital/symposium/
28. Speicher DJ, Sehu MM, Mollee P, Faoagali JL. “Monitoring HHV-8 viremia in a post-transplant patient presenting with HHV-8 associated multicentric Castleman’s disease.” Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney Australia. July 4-8, 2010.
29. Speicher DJ. HHV-8: The importance of this overlooked human herpesvirus. In-service seminar at the Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. June 1, 2010.
30. Sehu MM, Speicher DJ, Mollee P, Yarwood T, and Faoagali J. “Post liver transplant patient presenting with HHV-8 associated multicentric Castleman’s disease.” Pathology Update, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, Melbourne, Victoria. February 26-28, 2010.
31. Speicher DJ. “Salivary diagnostics for oral complications of HIV” The Mouth & AIDS: 6th World Workshop on Oral Health and Disease. Beijing, China. April 21-24, 2009.
32. Speicher DJ. “Role of healthcare workers in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV.” The Mouth & AIDS: 6th World Workshop on Oral Health and Disease. Beijing, China. April 21-24, 2009.
33. Speicher DJ. Determining HHV-8 subtypes in the Australian HIV-positive population. HIV & Sexual Health Research Forum, Brisbane May 21-22, 2009.
34. Speicher DJ. Improving the detection of HHV-8 in AIDS patients. Oral Presentation. ‘Research Priorities in Dental Science & Technology in Asia & Africa’ hosted by the Indian Society for Dental Research. Hyderabad, India. December 1-3, 2007.
35. Sloots, TP, McErlean P, Speicher DJ, Arden KE, Nissen MD, Mackay IM. 2006. Evidence of Human Coronaviruses NL63, HKU1, and Human Bocavirus in Australian children with acute respiratory infection. ASM 2006, Gold Coast QLD, July 2-6, 2006.
36. Mackay IM, McErlean P, Speicher DJ, Arden KE, Nissen MD, Sloots TP. 2006. The Significance of new Coronaviruses (HCoV-NL63 & HcoV-HKU1) in respiratory tract infections. ASID Annual Scientific Meeting, Wellington NZ, April 1-4, 2006.
Poster Presentations
Presenter’s name is underlined. My name and year are in bold.
1. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Maciejewski J, Tsang KK, Patel S, Allen V, McArthur AG, Smieja M. Clostridioides difficile strain divergence and prophages in Southern Ontario, Canada (2010-2018). BBS Research Symposium, McMaster University. Hamilton, Canada. March 12, 2020.
2. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Maciejewski J, Tsang KK, Patel S, Allen V, McArthur AG, Smieja M. Clostridioides difficile strain divergence and prophages in Southern Ontario, Canada (2010-2018). IIDR Trainee Day, McMaster University. Hamilton, Canada. October 4, 2019.
3. Chernesky M, Jang D, Ratnam S, Shah A, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Martin I, Arias M, Clavio A. P06 Comparison of two commercial amplification assays, SpeDx Resistance Plus MG and Seeplex STD6 ACE detection, performed on self-obtained vaginal and urine specimens for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium infections. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Ottawa, Canada. April 3-6, 2019.
4. Jang D, Shah A, Smieja M, Speicher DJ, Arias A, Clavio A, Ratnam S, Chernesky M. Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance mutations in vaginal swabs of Canadian women tested with commercial molecular assays. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Ottawa, Canada. April 3-6, 2019.
5. Maciejewski J, Luinstra K, Speicher DJ, Jayaratne P, Smieja M. Detection of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile amongst hemodialysis patients. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Vancouver, Canada. May 2-5, 2018.
6. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smieja M. Bacteriophages associated with Clostridium difficile infection. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Vancouver, Canada. May 2-5, 2018.
7. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smieja M. Bacteriophages associated with Clostridium difficile infection. IIDR Trainee Day, McMaster University. Hamilton, Canada. October 26, 2017.
8. Castriciano S, Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smieja M. Dried Oral FLOQSwabs™ for the Detection of Viral Antibodies. ASM Microbe. June 1-5, 2017. New Orleans, USA.
9. Speicher DJ. Detection of viral antibodies via dried oral swabs. FHS Research Plenary 2017. McMaster University. May 16-18, 2017. Hamilton, Canada.
10. Castriciano S, Luinstra K, Speicher DJ, Smieja M. Dried Oral FLOQSwabs™ for the Detection of Viral Antibodies. 11th European Symposium on Saliva. Netherlands. May 17-20, 2017.
11. Castriciano S, Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Smieja M. Oral Nylon FLOQSwabs™ Transported Dry for the Detection of Viral Antibodies. ASM Clinical Virology Symposium 2017. May 7-10, 2017. Savannah, GA, USA.
12. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Castriciano S, Smith EJ, Smieja M. Detection of viral antibodies via dried oral swabs. AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference. Toronto, Canada. May 3-6, 2017.
13. Speicher DJ, Luinstra K, Castriciano S, Smieja M. Dried Oral FLOQSwabs™ for the Detection of Viral Antibodies. 2016 North American Saliva Symposium. New York, USA. December 9-11, 2016.
14. Fryk J, Johnson NW, Dieu A, Wilson K, Faddy H, Flower R, and Speicher DJ. HHV-8 in Australia: Exposure and carriage in healthy individuals. Australian Institute of Medical Science Tropical Division Conference. Townsville, QLD. June 5-7, 2015. Awarded the best poster at the Conference.
15. Speicher DJ, Nandagopal P, Saravanan S, Kumarasamy N, Ranganathan K, and Johnson NW. Detection of Human Herpesviruses in HIV-positive patients from Southeast India. 7th World Workshop on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS. Hyderabad, India. November 6-9, 2014. Awarded the best poster at the WW7 Conference.
16. Johnson NW, Saravanan S, Kumarasamy N, Boobalan, Ranganathan K & Speicher DJ. Comparison of plasma and salivary HIV loads with a new detection system: implications of prevention and patient care. 7th World Workshop on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS. Hyderabad, India. November 6-9, 2014.
17. Fernando S, Speicher DJ, Scuffham P, Lea RA, Bakr M, Johnson NW. Assessing inherited and individual risk factors for dental caries. IADR – Australian/New Zealand Division. Brisbane, Australia. September 30 – October 1, 2014.
18. Speicher DJ, McLean CA, Hoy J, and Johnson NW. Human herpesvirus 8 disease in Australia: Multicentric Castleman’s Disease and Kaposi’s sarcoma in the same lymph node; a model for disease evolution. International congress on oncogenic herpesviruses and associated diseases. Philadelphia, USA. August 1-4, 2012.
19. Speicher DJ, McLean CA, Hoy J, and Johnson NW. Castleman’s disease and Kaposi’s sarcoma in the same lymph node: a model for disease progression. Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting. Brisbane, Australia. July 1-4, 2012.
20. Speicher DJ, McLean CA, Hoy J, and Johnson NW. Kaposi’s sarcoma and multicentric Castleman’s disease in Australia: detection of HHV-8 by qPCR and Immunohistochemistry. Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting. Brisbane, Australia. July 1-4, 2012.
21. Speicher DJ and Johnson NW. Evaluation of a new commercial kit for examining HHV-8 shedding and subtyping in saliva. Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting. Hobart, Australia. July 4-8, 2011.
22. Speicher DJ, Johnson NW. “Evaluation of a new commercial kit for the salivary diagnosis of HHV-8 and other viruses.” The Australian Health and Medical Research Congress. Melbourne, Australia. November 14-18, 2010.
23. Speicher DJ, Lam A, McLean CA, Johnson NW. “Detection of human herpesvirus 8 in Queensland and Victoria in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.” Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference 2010. 22nd Annual conference of the ASHM. Sydney, Australia. October 20-22, 2010.
24. Speicher DJ, Lam A, Johnson NW. Detection of human herpesvirus 8 in Queensland HIV-positive patients. ASM Annual Scientific Meeting. Perth, Australia. July 6-10, 2009.
25. Speicher DJ, Lam A, Johnson NW. Detection of human herpesvirus 8 subtype A in an HIV-negative Queensland patient. In, 2009. http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/gold-coast-health-medical-research-2009.
26. Speicher DJ, A Lam, and NW Johnson. Detection of human herpesvirus 8 subtype A in an HIV-negative Queensland patient. KSHV Workshop. Charleston, USA. September 13-16, 2009.
27. Speicher DJ, A Lam, and NW Johnson. Detection of human herpesvirus 8 subtype A in an HIV-negative Queensland patient. 6th World Workshop on Oral Health and Diseases in AIDS (WW6). Beijing, China. April 21-24, 2009.
28. Speicher DJ, A Lam, and NW Johnson. Detection of human herpesvirus 8 subtype A in an HIV-negative Queensland patient. GIHMR Conference. Gold Coast, QLD. December 3-4, 2009.
29. Speicher DJ, Mackay IM, McErlean P, Nissen MD, Sloots TP. 2006. Detection of Human Coronavirus HKU1 in Queensland Children. RBWH Health Care Symposium, Brisbane QLD, October 16-20, 2006.
News and Media
1. McMaster researchers developed ‘fish hooks’ to catch samples of coronavirus, CBC News; February 28 2020
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/mcmaster-coronavirus-sequencing-tool-1.5479663
2. McMaster develops tool for coronavirus battle; Lab+Life Scientist, March 3 2020
https://www.labonline.com.au/content/life-scientist/news/mcmaster-develops-tool-for-coronavirus-battle-589425523
3. McMaster develops tool for coronavirus battle; February 28 2020. Science New Net
https://sciencenewsnet.in/mcmaster-develops-tool-for-coronavirus-battle/
4. CFMU, Radio Interview; The AlmaMAC Episode 105 (Feb. 14/19): Fun with Faeces with Dr. David Speicher
http://bit.ly/CFMU105
5. C. difficile: The Role of Colonization and Phages, Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IIDR), McMaster University, July 2018
https://iidr.mcmaster.ca/c-difficile-the-role-of-colonization-and-phages/
6. Tools for Drools: A general guide to collecting and processing saliva; July 1 2015; Leading scientists including Dr. Speicher provided technical advice. Interview by Kelly Rae Chi
https://www.the-scientist.com/lab-tools/tools-for-drools-35231
7. DNA Genotek Inc. Announces Recipients of the DNA Genotek Grant Program, May 3 2012
https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9469368.htm
https://www.dnagenotek.com/ROW/company/news-events/press-releases/2012/2012-05-03.html
8. Seeing God’s Hand at Work, Redeemer University; November 11 2016
https://www.redeemer.ca/resound/seeing-gods-hand-at-work/
9. Redeemer Alumnus Awarded Post-Doc Fellowship; Redeemer University, October 20 2016
https://www.redeemer.ca/resound/redeemer-alumnus-awarded-post-doc-fellowship/
10. Fighting a global pandemic. Alumni News. Redeemer University College. May 2008.
Community Engagement
2020 “A Pandemic Plan for your Church to bring Hope and Help during Uncertain times” by Rev. Alex Douglas and Dr. David J. Speicher.
2019 – 2021 Secretary, School Council, Highview Elementary School. Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. Hamilton, Canada