Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology

Research Groups


The Senior Scientists at the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology are involved in a wide variety of research activities to understand the nature of cancer and blood disorders. Working in a transdisciplinary teams of clinicians, scientists, technicians, research nurses, trainees, and bioinformaticians, we bring together diverse skill sets to translate basic science discoveries into improved patient outcomes.

Cancer is complicated disease that affects nearly family in Manitoba. Through the use of our research platforms, we can investigate the role of genes to initiate, drive or terminate cancers, discover and characterize circulating tumour cells, alterations to the epigenome, identify changes in protein folding and splicing, and elucidate potential drug targets in clinical samples. By working with Cancer Registry , Clinical Investigations Office and the Manitoba Tumour Bank, we can conduct population studies to determine the prevelance of our findings in a larger patient population.

We are always interested in pursuing collaborations with new partners. The Research Office assists all CancerCare Manitoba researchers by identifying new funding opportunities, provide awareness of deadlines, co-ordinate the annual CancerCare Manitoba Foundation grant competition, and support collaborative research opportunities to strengthen research teams. By fostering relationships with other researchers interested in working with MICB and matching the team's research goals to funding opportunities, the Research Office develops strategies to increase research, training and funding opportunities.

Media and promotions, tours, and online content are co-ordinated between Senior Scientists, the Research Officer, and CCMB Communications Department to improve awareness of and collaborations with MICB. The Research Officer is Dr Eilean McKenzie-Matwiy , and her responsibilities include developing research collaborations at MICB and CancerCare Manitoba, create awareness of research opportunities, co-ordinating grant applications, and promoting research investment.
To contact, please phone 204-787-2814 or email

For all other inquiries, please contact:

Cecile Verrier
Administrative Officer and Office Manager
Administrative Assistant to Dr Spencer Gibson, the Director of MICB
and Dr Etienne Leygue, Associate Director of MICB
Conference co-ordinator and meeting planning
204-787-2511

Ashley Sitarz
Assistant to the Provincial Director of Research and
Research Resource Impact Committee Co-ordinator
204-787-4170

Mary Marko
Office Assistant - Ordering
Order Processing
204-787-2137

Nikki Ryan
Administrative Assistant - Finance
Grant Administration
204-787-2112

Debbie Petkau
Administrative Assistant - Payroll
University appointments
204-787-4012



MICB gratefully acknowledges the generous support of



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