Getting to Know: Dr. Alexander Wong

Could you provide a short description of your background?

I’m an infectious disease physician and clinician-researcher with tGetthe Saskatchewan Health Authority and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. I completed medical school at Western University in London, Ontario in 2005 and an internal medicine residency and infectious diseases fellowship at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta from 2005 to 2010. I’m based in the Infectious Diseases (ID) Clinic at Regina General Hospital and provide care for general infectious diseases for patients living across southern Saskatchewan. I also attend multiple inner-city clinics across Regina as well as various correctional settings including Regina Provincial Correctional Center, a large provincial men’s prison. I practice full-scope addiction medicine including opioid agonist therapy, harm reduction, and overdose prevention.

What is your area of research?

My primary clinical and research interests focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis (B and C), particularly in marginalized populations including persons who inject drugs, persons with addictions, and persons who are incarcerated. Along with my colleagues in public health I lead the Research and Evaluation Unit in the ID Clinic, which consists of four full-time research coordinators and one full-time research nurse. Since 2013, the unit has carried out research studies and clinical trials in the areas of viral hepatitis and HIV in collaboration with national and international partners, and is recognized for its work with vulnerable and marginalized populations including persons who use and inject drugs, persons who are incarcerated, and persons receiving opioid agonist therapy. The unit has contributed to more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and more than 150 peer-reviewed abstracts since its creation.

Could you tell us about your ‘big moments of research’?

We are proud of the work done locally in Regina which has contributed to high-profile publications in The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine. I’m the recipient of several investigator-initiated grants which will allow a better understanding of optimal care for HIV and hepatitis c virus in incarcerated persons as well as persons on various forms of opioid agonist therapy. I’m most proud of the Research and Evaluation Unit’s ability to offer the most advanced therapies for HIV and viral hepatitis to persons living in southern Saskatchewan, including long-acting injectable therapy for HIV and bepirovirsen for hepatitis B cure. In 2021, I was recognized by my Canadian peers for my contribution to clinical HIV research with the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR)-Canadian Foundation for Aids Research (CANFAR) Excellence in HIV/AIDS Research Award in Clinical Sciences.

Do you have any advice for early-career clinicians on how to get involved in research?

Perform research in areas that you are most passionate about clinically. My motivation to improve the care outcomes of persons living with HIV and viral hepatitis comes directly from the work I do every day for clients living across southern Saskatchewan, many of whom are highly vulnerable and who struggle with concurrent mental health and addictions related challenges. Work closely to find mentors and partners who can guide and support your research and help you with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the work, including accessing grant funding, human resource issues, and so forth.

What are your future research aspirations?

The science of viral hepatitis and HIV continues to advance. We are excited to offer treatments for hepatitis B cure as well as ultra-long acting therapies for HIV. It would be extremely exciting to eventually be able to offer both HIV vaccine and cure clinical trials to Saskatchewan residents.