300F Vincent Science Center
Email: wayne.forbes@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4953
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and botany at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica, W.I. I also pursued my Master of Science degree in zoology, which was upgraded to a Ph.D. in zoology at UWI. The title of my Ph.D. thesis was ‘Laboratory Studies of the Activity of Extracts of Selected Jamaican Plants against Infective Larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (Nematoda)’. I completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship (2000-2003) in the Schad research laboratory, Department of Pathobiology, Parasitology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. There, I used laser microbeam techniques to investigate functions of amphidial neurons in parasitic nematodes, including Strongyloides stercoralis, Haemonchus contortus and Ancylostoma caninum. My current research interest lies in the area of parasitology where I pursue chemotherapy studies using eryngial, a bioactive compound that I had previously identified and chemically isolated from the plant Eryngium foetidum. Eryngial is being investigated for activity against parasitic nematodes and other organisms. Additionally, I am also interested in the bioactivity of eryngial-related compounds against parasitic organisms.
I started teaching as an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology, SRU in August 2003, and became an Associate Professor in August 2014. I also served as Chairperson of the Department of Biology, SRU, from June 2015 to May 2017. I was the APSCUF Department Representative from 2004 to 2015, and the Coordinator of the Medical Technology, Cytotechnology and Histotechnology series from May 2015 to September 2015. These positions were both relinquished to colleagues in the department when I became the Chairperson.
As instructor in the Department of Biology, I have taught the following majors courses: Principles of Biology, Medical Parasitology, Biology Seminar and Independent Study. I have also taught the following non-majors biology courses: Introductory Biology Laboratory and General Biology. Additionally, I have taught courses offered outside of the department, these being the FYRST Seminar and the newly developed Science of Life.
Over the years I have had several students doing parasite research investigations with me on a variety of topics via independent studies. Most recently, I had two students who investigated the activity of eryngial against Neospora caninum, a protozoan parasite that is major cause of abortion in cattle, and accounts for annual losses to the meat and dairy industries that are worth billions of dollars.
Peer-reviewed publications and patents obtained are shown below:
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Forbes, W.M., Gallimore, W.A., Mansingh, Reese, P.B. and Robinson, R.D. (2014). Eryngial (trans-2-dodecenal), a bioactive compound from Eryngium foetidum: its identification, chemical isolation, characterization and comparison with ivermectin in vitro. Parasitology, 141, 269-278.
Forbes, W.M., Ashton, F.T. Boston, R., Zhu, X. and Schad, G.A. (2004). Chemoattraction and chemorepulsion of Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae on a sodium chloride gradient is mediated by amphidial neuron pairs ASE and ASH, respectively. Veterinary Parasitology, 120, issue 3, 189-198.
Nolan, T.J., Brenes, M., Ashton, F.T., Zhu, X., Forbes, W.M., Boston, R. and Schad, G.A. (2004). The amphidial neuron pair ALD controls the temperature-sensitive choice of alternative developmental pathways in the parasitic nematode, Strongyloides stercoralis. Parasitology, 129, 1-7.
Forbes, W.M., Ashton, F.T., Boston, R. and Schad, G.A. (2003). Chemotactic behavior of Strongyloides stercoralis L3 on a sodium chloride gradient. Parasitology, 127,189-197.
PATENTS
Forbes, W.M. and Steglich, C. - International Patent (US): 8,865,774 B2 - Methods of treating infectious diseases. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - 2014.
Forbes, W.M. and Steglich, C. - International Patent (US): 11/ 839, 392 - Methods of treating infectious diseases. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - 2011.
Forbes, W.M., Robinson, R.D. and Reese, P.B. - International Patent (US): T3558-908397- Method of killing nematodes and treating infections caused by such worms and medicaments therefor. University of the West Indies and the Scientific Research Council of Jamaica - 2007.