Current Positions

Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
Investigator, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

Education

BSc Honours (Microbiology), University of Manitoba
PhD (Biomedicine), The University of Sheffield, England
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Basel, Switzerland
Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Austria

Research Focus

To develop effective next-generation therapeutics, we must advance our understanding of the events that occur during development. This is particularly challenging in the brain since it is a highly diverse tissue, composed of hundreds of different cell types. Malfunction of just a few cell types may result in debilitating disorders. Therefore to understand the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders at the whole organ level, it is essential to measure the health of individual cells.

Tools we use:
DNA mutations are a significant contributor to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. To study how DNA mutations affect individual cells during brain development, we apply state-of-the-art single cell approaches to modify the DNA of individual brain cells. These unique technologies open a window into the cell. By tracking modified cells over time, we can learn the function of each DNA segment and how it contributes to producing a healthy brain.

Significance of this research:
Our advanced genetic technologies will allow us to identify key changes in each brain cell as it develops. By increasing our understanding of brain cell biology, we will be able to improve diagnosis and may ultimately lead to the development of treatment programs tailored uniquely for each child.

Research Interests

- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Rett Syndrome