David Eisenstat, MD, MA, FRCPC, FAAP, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (ABP)
Associate Professor
Pediatrics & Child Health
Human Anatomy & Cell Science
Ophthalmology
eisensta@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My laboratory is interested in the interface between developmental biology and cancer. We focus primarily on the DLX homeobox transcription factors and their role in forebrain, retina, pancreas and intestinal development and their potential role(s) in human diseases such as autism, congenital blindness, diabetes and colon cancer, respectively. Another research focus is on the role of the hypoxia-inducible cell death gene BNIP3 in brain tumours, including malignant gliomas, oligodendroglioma and medulloblastoma.
Brenda Elias, PhD
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
elias@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
The following is a summary of research: 1) the systematic collection of data about Indigenous populations, 2) the use of statistical techniques to shape understanding of individual and collective wellbeing in these populations,
3) categories against which Indigenous individuals, families, and groups can be measured, 4) ethical protocols, including cross jurisdictional data linkage protocols, required to collect, store, manage, and interpret data on Indigenous individuals, families and collectivities, 5) innovative approaches to knowledge translation, which links Indigenous individuals, families and communities with health service agencies, researchers, and governments to reduce health disparities (locally, nationally, and internationally), 6) linking databases to address health disparities in the Indigenous population, and
7) bridging population health research with clinical research in order to understand the social biological link of health disparities and to improve health services and treatments, including the development of new treatments.
Murray Enns, MD, BSc, FRCPC
Professor
Psychiatry, Community Health Sciences
menns@hsc.mb.ca
Website: www.mts.net/~wolven/madrg/ENNS.htm
Open for Collaboration
Dr. Enns is the Associate Head of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Group. The MADRG conducts research on psychological and social risk factors for mood and anxiety disorders and suicide using a broad range of clinical and community samples. The risk factors of interest include personality factors, coping style, developmental factors, childhood adversities, life events and models of how these risk factors work together. The MADRG is also interested in the design and implementation of interventions for depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior.
Karen Ethans, MD, FRCP(C)
Associate Professor, Medical Director
Internal Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Unit
kethans@hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Current and recent research includes many areas in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and ways to improve their secondary complications including:
- Cannabinoids for spasticity and pain
- Spasticity - medical management, Botox, intrathecal baclofen pump therapy
- Neuorgenic bladder including anticholinergic therapy, Botox therapy
- Erectile dysfunction for spinal cord injured people
- Neurogenic pain
Jane A. Evans, PhD, BSc, FCCMG
Professor
Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
jevans@ms.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Epidemiology of congenital malformations with special interest in limb and renal defects, costovertebral malformations, neural tube defects, Down syndrome and malformation associations; numerical classification of phenotypic variability; genotype-phenotype correlations; prenatal screening and identification of high risk populations; congenital anomaly surveillance.
Paul Fernyhough, PhD, BSc
Professor
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
pfernyhough@sbrc.ca or paulfernyhough@yahoo.com
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
My laboratory will be taking 2 paths over the next 3-5 years:
PROGRAM 1 - The main focus of our research takes a hypothesis-driven approach and performs mechanistic studies in order to understand the etiology of diabetic sensory neuropathy. This work is currently supported by CIHR, JDRF, CDA, MHRC and St. Boniface Hospital & Research Foundation. The progam is multidisciplinary involving in vitro and in vivo paradigms. The main body of work uses cutting edge real time imaging with standard and confocal microscopes to assess the role of impaired Ca2+ homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced ROS levels in the etiology of diabetic neuropathy. Studies are performed on adult neuronal tissuses as single neuron cultures or slices of neuronal tissue.
PROGRAM 2 - The laboratory also takes a translational approach and so far we have identified at least 4 novel compounds that enhance axon regeneration and may be promising therapeutics.
Evelyn L. Forget, PhD (Economics)
Professor
Community Health Sciences
forget@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
- health system reform in Canada
- financing and funding health care in Canada
- social determinants of health
- health outcomes of social and income support policies
- healt economics
Keith R. Fowke, PhD, BSc (H)
Associate Professor
Medical Microbiology
Fowkekr@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Dr. Fowke has established a vital, active laboratory consisting of a research technician, graduate students, BSc (Med) students and postdoctoral fellows. The Viral Immunology Laboratory is currently focusing on two major areas of research. The first is determining the immunological specificity and genetic expression of CD4+ T-cells in HIV resistance individuals. We hypothesize that resistance is mediated by a two phase model in which immune quiescence results in fewer activated cells that can serve as targets for HIV infection and a central memory-dominated HIV-specific cellular immune response that eliminates any infected cells. The second interest of the lab focuses on the role of immune activation and receptor polymorphisms in HIV disease progression. The laboratory has received local, national and international funding for these projects. Dr. Fowke’s work has been recognized through the Ken Hughes Investigator Award for Medical Research from the University of Manitoba and the Canadian Institute for Health Research New Investigator Award.
Henry Friesen, MD, BSc, FRCP, FRSC
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Physiology
Henry_Friesen@umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Dr. Friesen's discovery of the human pituitary hormone prolactin and its role in health and disease defined it as a major cause of infertility. His collaboration with others in the introduction of new therapies resulted in the effective treatment of tens of thousands of women worldwide. Dr. Friesen has published over 400 papers in scientific journals and served as a mentor for more than 80 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students, many of whom today are in leadership positions around the world.
Dr. Friesen has been involved in a number of senior administrative positions, for example, as President of the Medical Research Council and Chair of Genome Canada and is available for consultation on matters related to research administration and research funding opportunities.
Philip Gardiner, PhD
Adjunct / Professor & Director / Canada Research Chair
Physiology / HL & HP Research Institute
gardine2@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My research interest is in adaptability of the nervous and neuromuscular systems to alterations in chronic activity level. My research subjects include rats, mice and humans. Recent studies have examined neuromulscular responses to decreased activity, such as that seen during limb immobilization, muscle paralysis, space flight, and increased activity, such as endurance training. I am interested in the alterations in passive and active electrophysiological properties of the alpha-motoneurons and in the changes in the expression of genes encoding various ion channel subunits which might help explain these functional changes. I am also interested in the metabolic signaling responses which might precede these changes, such as those involving MAP kinases, various transcription factors, neurotrophins and their receptors. Recently, my laboratory has begun to examine these motoneuron changes with aging and the effects of activity and caloric restriction.
Allan Garland, BS, MA, MD
Associate Professor
Medicine, Community Health Sciences
agarland@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
1) The epidemiology and long-term outcomes of critical illness
2) Performance improvement in ICU care, especially the relationships between clinical outcomes and ICU organization
3) End-of-life care
4) Practice variation
5) Statistical methods in observational research
John Gartner, MD
Professor
Pathology, Immunology
gartner@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My laboratory uses murine models to study the immunopathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We are particularly interested in the role of NK and gamma/delta T cells in the development and progression of intestinal GVHD. We are also investigating the mechanism underlying the ability of Keratinocyte Growth Factor to protect the recipient from developing acute lethal GVHD. This study involves a major collaboration with Amgen Inc.
Spencer Gibson, PhD
Associate Professor
Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
gibsonsb@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
There exists a balance between life and death within an organism. When this balance is altered, diseases such as cancer often develop. The mechanism that determines whether a cell lives or dies is poorly understood. My research is dedicated to discovering this regulatory mechanism within cells. We are investigating how epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes cell survival by defining the signal transduction pathways leading to gene transcription of anti-apoptotic genes. We are also investigating the role of lysophosphitic acid (LPA) plays in cell survival signaling. Besides cell survival, we investigate mechanisms of cell death. We are currently determining the role the TRAIL death receptor apoptotic inducing pathway plays in DNA damaged induced apoptosis. In addition, we are determining the effectiveness of antibodies to activate the TRAIL death receptor pathway.
Ed Giesbrecht, MSc (Rehab); BMR (OT); BSW
Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
giesbre3@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Most of my research has focused on the use of assistive technologies to enhance participation and performance in occupations of daily living. In particular, evaluating the use of wheelchairs and mobility/seating technology to improve function and community participation. I am also investigating the impact of wheelchair and seating technology on pressure management, as a strategy for preventing pressure ulcers. Research in the area of spinal cord injury is of particular interest. I am also involved in research investigating the impact of using standardization clients in the education of students in the allied health professions.
Gary Glavin, PhD, Cert. in University Management
Professor
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Community Health Sciences
glavin@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Gastrointestinal pharmacology and pathology; public health programming for reducing infectious diseases; international health.
Research Development: Member, Board of Directors:
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Canadian Blood Services
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
International Science and Technology Centre -
Global Partnershps Program
Andrew Goertzen, PhD, MCCPM
Assistant Professor
Radiology
goertzea@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collabortion
Open for Commercialization
Our group focuses on enhancing the performance of positron emission tomography (PET) and x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging systems for both clinical and pre-clinical imaging. Around this focus we have several specific research projects including:
1) Applying the use of PET and CT imaging to study animal models of human disease including congestive heart failure and the acute respiratorty distress syndrome.
2) Designing and constructing new detectors for PET imaging, with a focus on improving system sensitivity and minimizing overall system size.
3) Developing techniques for quantifying the biodistribution of radiolabeled cells in vivo.
4) Improving image quality in existing small animal PET and CT imaging systems through both hardware and software modifications.
Yuewen Gong, PhD, MSc, BM
Professor
Internal Medicine
ygong@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
My research interest is to examine cytokines and signal transduction mechanism in the liver. Specifically, I am interested in gene expression and regulation of bone morphogenetic proteins and their signal transduction in hepatic stellate cells and hepatic progenitor cells. Differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells into hepatocytes is one of the most important events during hepatic regeneration. Moreover, role of hepatic progenitor cells in carcingenesis is currently initiated in my laboratory and it is believed that mutated hepatic progenitor cells could be source of hepatic cancer stem cells.
Lesley Graff, PhD
Associate Professor
Clinical Health Psychology
lgraff@hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Psychological interventions and irritable bowel syndrome; patient-physician relationship and IBS; health care utilization and IBS.
Psychosocial determinants of inflammatory bowel disease, course and outcomes.
Jane Griffith, PhD, MA (Education), BPE, Teaching Certificate
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
jane.griffith@cancercare.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Current research is focused on behavioural and environmental risk factors for chronic diseases including cancer and diabetes. Local risk factor surveillance involving collaborations with aboriginal organizations, regional health authorities, government departments, non-government organizations, universities, school systems and communities, to support community level data for local planning, is being developed to inform effective prevention practices. The epidemiology of chronic diseases and Aboriginal and youth health are strong areas of interest.
Marco L. H. Gruwel, Drs. (Leiden, 1985), PhD
Adjunct Professor
Medical Microbiology
marco.gruwel@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Accepting Gradute Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
The development and application of advanced in vivo MR imaging techniques to study infectious diseases and disease in general. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to monitor the development of chronic fatal conditions, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) spongiform encephalopies, or Alzheimer's disease. MRI and MRS are non-invasive techniques and can be used to identify biomarkers for disease. This information could potentially be used to test novel drug treatments. Research at the National Research Council Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD) focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative medical devices and technologies for the non-invasive diagnosis of diseases in humans and animals. NRC-IBD research is based on various imaging and spectroscopic modalities, prototyping, biomedical informatics, and medical software. NRC-IBD offers collaborative opportunities in the medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Andrew J. Halayko, PhD, MSc, BSc(Hon)
Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair - Airway Biology
Physiology; Internal Medicine; Pediatrics and Child Health
ahalayk@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
We study control of airway smooth muscle phenotype, focusing on mechanisms for airway hyperresponsiveness and remodelling in chronic lung disease. Projects investigate: (i) caveolins and caveolae in control of contractile, prolifeative, apoptotic, and synthetic responses of lung mesenchymal cells; (ii) statins and Rho kinase inhibitors in preventing and reversing asthma by affecting lung inflammation, and the survival and pro-fibrotic function of the lung mesenchyme; and, (iii) the role of the pro-inflammatory protein complex, Mrp8/Mrp14 in lung mesenchymal cell function and allergic lung disease. Our program is multidisciplinary, using molecular biology and cell biology techniques, including lentivirus-basd gene transfer, siRNA, and protocols to generate primary and immortalized human smooth muscle and fibroblast cell lines from asthmatic, and COPD human subjects. We also use sophisticated real time live and fixed cell and tissue imaging, quantitative slide based cytometry, flow cytometry, and pre-clinical testing of inflammation and lung physiology in murine models of asthma.
Thomas Hassard, BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD, Dip Bus Admin, F.I.S.
Professor; Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Community Health Sciences
hassard@ms.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Applied Statistical Methods in the Health and Behavioural Sciences
Reliability and Validity of Competency Assessment Measures
Applications of Patient-oriented measures of Quality to the Provision of Professional Services in Health
Applications of Data Mining Methodologies to Health
Grant M. Hatch, BSc, MSc, PhD
Professor
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
hatchgm@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Cardiolipin (CL) is a principal phospholipid in the heart and mammalian cells, and phospholipids are important in maintaining the proper function of cellular membranes. Project 1. Barth Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the TAZ gene, resulting in the development of cardiomyopathy. Mutations in TAZ result in a reduced ability to remodel CL. Our laboratory is studying how TAZ gene expression is regulated and the role of TAZ in regulating CL metabolism in Barth Syndrome. Project 2. A promising approach to treat heart disease is to control heart cell death. We are examining whether a cell's entrance into apoptois may be prevented or attenuated by maintaining the appropriate localization and molecular composition of CL. Project 3. A promising approach to treat cancer and heart disease is to control cell division. We are researching if alteration in CL biosynthesis and/or remodeling may alter cell cycle progression Project 4. Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in North America. We are researching if cardiolipin biosynthesis and remodeling is altered in HF.
Kent T. HayGlass, PhD
Professor
Immunology (Cross-appts: Pediatrics and Medical Microbiology)
hayglass@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Allergies are the most common chronic human immune disease. Supported by funding from CIHR, biotech and industrial collaborators and my Canada Research Chair, my laboratory targets understanding of the immune regulatory processes that determine whether protective immunity or allergic disorders develop when we are exposed to innocuous environmental stimuli. Our main focus is on the role played by communication molecules of the immune system (cytokines and chemokines) in (i) development and regulation of human immunocompetence (TLR and NOD functionality) and on (ii) immune mechanisms that control development of allergy or clinical tolerance to foods.
Most of our research is carried out in human systems.
Jue He, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Psychiatry
he@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Over the decade, I have been doing research work in the fields of learning and memory, anxiety, addiction, schizophrenia, antipsychotics, Alzheimer's disease, neuroprotection, neurogenesis, animal behaviors, immunohistochemistry and immunoblot. My current research focuses on the neuroprotective role of atypical antipsychotics on their preventive and therapeutic effects on the Alzheimer phenotype in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Maureen Heaman, BN, MN, RN, PhD
Associate Professor
Faculty of Nursing; Dept. Ob/Gyn & Commuity Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
maureen_heaman@umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Dr. Heaman is currently leading two CIHR funded projects: "Factors associated with Inadequate Prenatal Care Among Inner-City Women in Winnipeg" (PI) and "Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire: Instrument Development and Testing" (Co-PI). She is a member of the Reproductive Outcomes and Migration (ROAM) international research collaboration and the CIHR Community and Indigeneous Birth Outcome Study Group. She was recently awarded a CIHR Chair in Gender and Health (07/2008-06/2013) for her submission entitled, "Disparities in women's prenatal health, access to care, and pregnancy outcomes."
Michael E. Helewa, BSc, MD, FRCPSC
Professor, Medical Director
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women & Child Program - St. Boniface General Hospital
helewam@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
RCT's; Cohort-Controls; Case Control Studies; Program Evaluations; Surveys
Collaborative and Individual Studies in Clinical Obstetrics and Maternity Care and Feto-Maternal Medicine
Key Topics:
Reproduction and Development - Risk; Prevention; Treatment
Pregnancy/ Births/ Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy/ Preterm Births/ Prematernity/ Perinatology/ Physiology of Pregnancy/ Midwifery
Sabine Hombach-Klonisch, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences
hombach@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My research interests are in the fields of (1) cancer invasiveness and (2) reproductive toxicology.
(1) My research focuses on the molecular mechanisms induced by relaxin-like peptide growth factors resulting in increased cancer cell motility and migration. Using mouse in-vivo-models, novel cellular in-vitro models established in my laboratory, proteomic and molecular biological techniques, we are investigating relaxin-induced molecular pathways in human breast and thyroid cancer cells which impact on the dynamics of the cytoskeleton and on cellular exocytosis.
(2) We have established novel telomerase-immortalized cell lines of the female reproductive tract to study the molecular mechanisms induced by activation of the dioxin receptor (arylhydrocarbon receptor, AhR) leading to changes in cellular differentiation. Using rodent in vivo models, my lab is studying the consequences of in-utero exposure to environmental chemicals on the function of female reproductive organs in later life.
Larry V. Hryshko, PhD, BSc
Professor
Physiology
lhryshko@sbrc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Many cellular processes are controlled by changes in intracellular calcium levels. Well studied examples include neuronal signalling, hormone secretion, and muscle contraction. Our laboratory investigates a family of transport proteins called sodium-calcium exchangers. These proteins play a critical role in the maintenance and restoration of intracellular calcium levels in many tissues, and as such, influence a broad array of cellular processes. Notably, aberrant function of sodium-calcium exchangers has been demonstrated in several distinct pathologies including heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. These observations underly efforts to devise pharmacological agents that can influence sodium-calcium exchange function. Our laboratory investigates the molecular operation of the sodium-calcium exchange family using electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques. We also investigate the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of novel pharmacological agents that target this transport system.