Dr. Stephen L. Archer is physician scientist and graduate of Queen’s University (Meds ‘81). He is a practicing cardiologist who specializes in the care of patients with various forms of pulmonary hypertension. His other interests include strategies for improving cardiovascular care, and training the next generation of physician-scientists. In his spare time he spends time with his family and is an avid hockey player, guitarist and coffee drinker.
Dr. Archer directs a CIHR-funded research lab, where he and his associates study basic mechanisms of oxygen sensing in the vasculature. He investigates the role of mitochondria, both as oxygen sensors and regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis. His research focuses on exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of oxygen sensing and mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. He also develops experimental therapeutics for pulmonary hypertension, cancer and COVID-19.
After training at the Royal Columbian Hospital in BC and the University of Minnesota he joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1988. He spent a decade on faculty there rising to the rank of Professor under the guidance of his mentor and friend, Dr. E.K. Weir. He then served as Chief of Cardiology at the University of Alberta (1998-2007) and Chair of Cardiology and Harold Hines Jr Professor at the University of Chicago (2007-12), Dr. Archer then returned to Queen’s University as the Head of Medicine and Program Medical Director for Kingston Health Sciences Center (KHSC; includes Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, and Providence Care).
Dr Archer is the founder and Scientific Director of the Queen’s CardioPulmonary Unit (QCPU) a $8 million dollar, 8000 square-foot research facility, with a Bench-to-Bedside philosophy. QCPU is designed to support faculty and trainees who perform heart, lung, blood and vascular research. QCPU is comprised of a state-of-the-art basic science research facility that is complemented by an onsite KHSC satellite clinic with clinical trials research capacity.
He has over 300 publications and his H-index is 110, with over 52,000 citations. He has mentored over 60 trainees, many of whom are leaders in science and medicine. His translational cardiovascular research has been recognized with numerous awards, including being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and being awarded Distinguished Scientist Awards from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. He received the AFMC President’s Award for Exemplary National Leadership in Academic Medicine in 2019 and was named the Chicago American Heart Association Coeur d’Or recipient in 2013.
C. Franklin and Helen K. Bracken Chair, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Distinguished Scientist of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, Elizabeth Smith Distinguished University Professor, AFMC President's Award for Exemplary National Leadership in Academic Medicine