Chris E. Holmes, MD, PhD

Education:

Graduate School
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Department of Chemistry

Training:

Residency

University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington VT
Chief Medicine Resident, University of Vermont-Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT

Fellowship

University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT

Specialty:

Disorders of Platelet Number and Function
Hemostasis and Thrombosis
Benign and Malignant Hematology

Certifications:

Academic Appointments:

Biography:

Dr. Holmes obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia Department of Chemistry in 1993. Her thesis work focused on the cleavage of RNA by Fe-Bleomycin.  She subsequently matriculated in Medicine at the University of Virginia from which she was awarded her M.D. degree and completed further clinical training at the University of Vermont.  During her postgraduate clinical training, she remained active in research involving projects focused on  IL-12 in murine silicosis and characterization of platelet subpopulations in patients with myeloproliferative disease.  Her training in platelet biochemistry was supported by her being a recipient of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award through the National Institutes of Health and the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Program at the University of Vermont.

Dr. Holmes leads a platelet translational research laboratory program in addition to playing a pivotal role in the Hemostasis and Coagulation Clinical Program at the University of Vermont.

Major Research Interests:

Based on her training in both basic science and clinical medicine, Dr. Holmes’ platelet translational research laboratory focuses on delineating the role of activated platelets in thrombosis and disease.  The laboratory is engaged in translational research studies  including: 1) Platelet Modulation by Angiogenesis Inhibitors and 2) The Impact of Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors on Platelet Activation and Function: Exploring a New Pathway of Breast Cancer Control. These projects address modulation of platelet activation as mechanisms of disease and drug targeting. The laboratory is developing novel assays of platelet function that offer promise in the characterization and quantification of platelet molecular diversity within the same subject. Quantification of factor Xa binding to the activated platelet surface in plasma rich plasma has been accomplished recently.

Current Grant Support

Grant Title: Platelet Modulation by Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Source: Vermont Cancer Center
Principal Investigator

Grant Title: BCRF-6:  The Impact of Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors on Platelet Activation and Function:  Exploring a New Pathway of Breast Cancer Control
Source: Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Co-Investigator

Publications:

Davis GS, Holmes CE, Pfeiffer LM, Hemenway DR:  Lymphocytes, lymphokines, and silicosis.  J  Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 20 Suppl 1:53-65, 2001.

Holmes CE, Muss HB:  Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the elderly.  CA Cancer J Clin 53:227-244, 2003.