Overview
Dr. Derek Chu is a Clinician Scientist and Assistant Professor in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at McMaster University, Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, & Impact. At McMaster University Medical Centre, a large quaternary teaching hospital, Dr. Chu directs the challenge clinic for allergy diagnosis, research and treatment. He is an Affiliate, Lungs & Chest program, of The Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton. Dr. Chu serves on the Joint Task Force for Allergy Practice Parameters, and multiple international initiatives to improve outcomes in Allergy-Immunology. Dr. Chu collaborates with several CLARITY faculty members and international partners to advance research methods and foster evidence-based practice. He is a member of the GRADE working group.
Areas of Research Interest
The focus of Dr. Chu’s research is (1) the optimal prevention and treatment of food allergy and anaphylaxis, and (2) evidence-synthesis and guideline development in Allergy-Immunology. Supported by the Academic Health Science Innovation Fund, New Investigator Fund, Health Canada, among others, Dr. Chu is an investigator on observational studies to understand and quantify critical factors in food allergy and anaphylaxis and is developing new treatments through RCTs such as the TITAN registry and TRADE RCT. These works are done in close collaboration with fundamental scientists to also understand immunological mechanisms of disease and pioneer new therapeutic approaches. Dr. Chu also plays a key role as methodologist and expert advisor in developing international clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews and meta-analyses in Allergy-Immunology, including the diagnosis and management of food allergy and anaphylaxis, vaccine allergy, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and COVID-19. Dr. Chu is Co-Chair of upcoming international GRADE Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines. His work, published in The Lancet, JAMA, BMJ, Annals of Internal Medicine, CMAJ, all major Allergy journals and others, has informed approval of and guidance on various therapeutics worldwide (eg. the World Health Organization [WHO], Food and Drugs Administration [FDA], and European Medicines Agency [EMA]).
Training
Dr. Chu obtained his BHSc at McMaster (2008) followed by his combined MD-PhD (immunologic mechanisms of peanut allergy and anaphylaxis, 2014), certification as a general internist (2017) and subspecialist in pediatric and adult allergy and clinical immunology (2019).
Distinctions
Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)
Vanier Scholar
Regional Medical Associates,
The Canadian Asthma Allergy and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF)
Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI)
Allergy Genes and Environment Network (AllerGen NCE)
Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (CSCI)
The United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET)
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Foundation.
Vanier Scholar
Regional Medical Associates,
The Canadian Asthma Allergy and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF)
Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI)
Allergy Genes and Environment Network (AllerGen NCE)
Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (CSCI)
The United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET)
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Foundation.
Current Research Projects
- Randomized trials in food allergy treatment and prevention, eg. TRADE RCT, PISCES RCT
- Observational studies in food allergy to address optimal diagnosis and prognostication, eg. TITAN studies, Canada-ARM1 study
- FACT global collaborative to address food allergen eliciting dose thresholds
- Core outcome set development in food allergy
- Guideline Co-Chair for Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Management Guidelines
- Guideline Methodologist, Chronic Rhinosinusitis
- Diagnosis and management of COVID-19 vaccine anaphylaxis and (pseudo)allergic reactions
- Diagnosis and Management of Milk Allergy Guidelines
- Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma Guidelines
- Comparative effectiveness and safety of treatments for allergy and asthma
- Methodologic research
Educational and Mentorship Activities
- Dr. Chu regularly teaches undergraduate students, medical students, residents and fellows, and graduate students in Health research Methodology and Medical Sciences. He is teaching faculty at McMaster and educates learners regarding clinical skills and reasoning in Medicine and Allergy. He is the Clinical Immunology & Allergy Subspeciality Training Program Resident Research Director. He supervises more than 30 such students and junior investigators across Canada and internationally on various projects. Multiple of his students have won scholarships and international awards for their work. Dr. Chu is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness.
Trainee Supervision
- Dr Chu is considering supervision of PhD students for the Health Research Methodology Program at McMaster University, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting researchers on a case by case basis.