WHAT IS GENOMICS
Genome is a word used to describe the genetic make-up of an individual. This includes our genes that are passed on from parent to offspring. Our genes contribute to many of our physical characteristics (i.e. eye colour and height). They can also impact our lifetime risk of developing certain medical conditions.
Genomics is a branch of science that studies the genome. Genomics looks at how our genes interact with each other, how they function and how they are structured. This study also compares how genomes are similar, and different, across animal species. Using a variety of scientific techniques all of this data is organized into databases which allows our scientists to further understand the genetic basis of disease.
Our Vision
Improving health through translational genomics.
Our Mission
To deliver medical genomic research that translates into life-changing tests and treatments for people affected by acquired and inherited diseases.
CGEM STRUCTURE
Through ongoing resource and facility partnerships, CGEM has the infrastructure, knowhow, and network of dedicated members to ensure its research discoveries are translated into new patient-oriented treatments.
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
The CGEM’s executive is made up of an inter-disciplinary team of eight, whose work and expertise span across multiple organizations in a variety of fields.
CGEM DIRECTOR IWK & DALHOUSIE, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Pathology & Pediatrics
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY: Associate Director Life and Health Sciences
DALHOUSIE: Carnegie & Rockefeller Professor, Dept. Pharmacology Head
DALHOUSIE, Medicine
IWK & DALHOUSIE, Pediatric Medicine
DALHOUSIE, Pharmacology
DALHOUSIE, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
OUR MEMBERS
With a strong research collaboration of over 50 members, CGEM has a large asset map of expertise, publications, technology, and resources across a significant network. These capabilities enable CGEM scientists and clinicians to make ground-breaking research discoveries in the areas of orphan disease gene and drug discovery, cancer diagnostics and the medical microbiome.
Distribution of CGEM Members
Dalhousie University
28
Other
0
Member List
Erika Aberg
Genetic Counsellor, ​MSc, CCGC, CGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Mohamed Abouelhassan
Clinical Biochemist - Medical-Scientific Department, Ontario; Medical Laboratory Director - KRL
Assistant Professor, PhD, FCACB
Pathology, Dalhousie University
​​
Member Bio:
​
https://www.lifelabs.com/leadership/dr-mohamed-abouelhassan/
Dr. Martin Alda
MD, FRCPC
Psychiatry, Dalhousie University & NSHA
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/martin-alda.html
Dr. Heleen Arts
Molecular Geneticist, Assistant Professor, PhD, FCCMG
Clinical Genomics, Pathology and Lab Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Karen Bedard
Associate Professor, PhD
Pathology, Hematopathology, Pediatrics; Dalhousie University, IWK, NSHA
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Robert Beiko
PhD (Biology)
Computer Science, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/computerscience/faculty-staff/robert-beiko.html
Dr. Jeanette Boudreau
PhD
Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Jo-Ann Brock
Division Head Clinical Genomics Lab, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Clinical Genomics, Pathology and Lab Medicine, IWK
Dr. Leah Cahill
RD/PDt, PhD
Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/our-people/leah-cahill.html
Dr. Benjamin Capps
PhD
Bioethics, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/bioethics/people/benjamin-capps.html
Erin Chamberlain
Genetic Counsellor, ​MSc, CCGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Sidney Croul
Senior Neuropathologist, MD, FRCP
Pathology
Dalhousie University, NSHA, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Kellie Davis
Medical Geneticist, MD
Medical Genetics & Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University
Dr. Graham Dellaire
PhD Experimental Medicine
Pathology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Francesca Di Cara
Assistant Professor, PhD, PDF
Microbiology & Immunology, Pediatrics, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/microbiology/people/our-faculty/F_DiCara.html
Dr. Ankur Dnyanmote
PhD
​Nephrology, IWK
Dr. Sarah Dyack
Medical Geneticist, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
Medical Genetics, Pediatrics, General Internal Medicine
IWK & Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Manal Elnenaei
Medical Biochemist, MBChB, PhD, FRCPath, EuSpLM
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Greg Fairn
PhD, PDF
Pathology, Dalhousie University
Dr. Conrad Fernandez
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, MD, FRCPC
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, ​IWK & Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Corey Filiaggi
Genetic Counsellor and Clinical Coordinator, MSc, MSc, CGC, CCGC
Maritime Newborn Screening Program, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK
​
Dr. Travis Gagie
PhD
Algorithms & Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/computerscience/faculty-staff/travis-gagie.html
Dr. Martin Gardner
Cardiologist, MD, FRCPC
Cardiology, Medicine, NSHA & Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Dan Gaston
PhD
Bioinformatics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dalhousie University, NSHA, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Sharan Goobie
Medical Geneticist, MD, MSc
Medical Genetics & Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Doris Grant
Senior Director Innovation, NSHA
Dr. Shashi Gujar
Associate Professor, DVM, PhD, MHA, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University
Executive Director, Cancer Immunotherapy, Innovation & Global Partnerships; Emerging Scholar; Canadian Cancer Society; Scientist, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Matthew Herder
Director, Health Law Institute; Pharmacology/Medicine/Law, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/law/faculty-staff/our-faculty/matthew-herder.html
Dr. Eric Hoffman
PhD (Genetics), Entrepreneur
AGADA BioSciences; Pharmacology, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Peter Hull
MD, FRCPC (Dermatology), PhD (Human Genetics)
Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Tobias Karakach
PhD (Bioinformatics for Functional Genomics)
Phamacology, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Prosper Koto
Research Health Economist, PhD
Research and Innovation, NSHA
Member Bio:
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/discovery-innovation/discovery-innovation/research-methods-unit-rmu
Dr. Jamie Kramer
PhD (Biology), PDF (Human Genetics)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Ketan Kulkarni
Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist, MD
Hematology-Oncology, Pathology, Pharmacy, Dalhousie University & IWK
​
Member Bio:
Michelle Lane
Genetic Counsellor, MSc, CCGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Morgan Langille
Tier II Canada Research Chair in Human Microbiomics, Director of Integrated Microbiome Resource
Associate Professor, PhD, PDF
Pharmacology, Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Jason LeBlanc
Microbiologist, Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology, Professor, PhD, FCCM
Pharmacology, Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Member Bio:
Sara MacKay
Genetic Counsellor, MS, CCGC, CGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Paola Marcato
Associate Professor, PhD, PDF
Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology; Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Paola Marignani
Professor, PhD, PDF, Executive MBA, MIT
Founder; Canadian Women in STEM, Marignani Discovery Research Laboratory
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pathology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Victor Martinez
Clinical Genomics Specialist
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health
Dr. Manuel Mattheisen
Associate Professor, MD
Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/manuel-mattheisen.html
Dr. Christopher McMaster
Professor, PhD (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), PDF (Functional Genetics)
​Pharmacology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Sandra Meier
Associate Professor, PhD
Psychiatry, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/sandra-meier.html
Dr. Andrew Orr
Ophthalmologist, Associate Professor, MD
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Member Bio:
Dr. Anthony (Tony) Otley
Clinical Researcher, Division Head Pediatric Gastroenterology, Professor, MD, FRCPC, MSc
Pediatrics & Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
Dr. Sandhya Parkash
Medical Geneticist, Assistant Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
Dr. Lynette Penney
Medical Geneticist, Associate Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
Patricia Power
Genetic Counsellor, MSc, CCGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Jimena Prado
Genetic Counsellor, MS, CGC
Clinical Genomics Lab, IWK
Dr. Johane Robitaille
Pediatric Ophthalmologist, MD, FRCSC
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Pediatrics, Pathology
IWK & Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Kirill Rosen
Professor, PhD
Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
Dr. Ferhan Siddiqi
Associate Professor, MD, FRCPC, MScHQ, PDF
Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medicine, Dalhousie University & NSHA
​
Dr. David Skidmore
Medical Geneticist and Assistant Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
​Maritime Medical Genetics, Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
Nicole Snow
Genetic Counsellor, MSc, CCGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Sanja Stanojevic
Assistant Professor, PhD
Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Philip Tibbo
Dr Paul Janssen Chair in Psychotic Disorders and Director of Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program
Professor, MD, FRCPC, AHFMR
Psychiatry, Dalhousie University & NSHA
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/phil-tibbo.html
Dr. Deniz Top
Assistant Professor, PhD
Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Division of Medical Genetics, Dalhousie University
​
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/deniz-top.html
Dr. Amy Trottier
Hematologist, MD, FRCPC
Hematology, Dalhousie University & NSHA
Member Bio:
Kelly Turner
Genetic Counsellor, MSc, CGC
Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK
Dr. Rudolf Uher
Professor, MD, PhD, MRCPsych
Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Medical Neuroscience, Community Health and Epidemiology, Pathology
Dalhousie University, NSHA, IWK
Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/rudolf-uher.html
Dr. Robin Urquhart
Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia Division) Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research
Associate Professor, PhD
Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Dr. Aarnoud C. Van der Spoel
Assistant Professor, PhD
Pediatrics, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
Natasha Van Iderstine
Genetic Counsellor, ​MSc, CCGC, CGC
Maritime Medical Genetics, IWK
Dr. Anthony Vandersteen
Medical Geneticist, Associate Professor, MD, PhD, BM FRCP (Lond.) FRCPC FCCMG
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK
Member Bio:
Dr. Ian Weaver
Assistant Professor, PhD
Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/psychology_neuroscience/faculty-staff/our-faculty/weaver-ian.html
Dr. Michael West
Director of Nova Scotia Fabry Disease Clinic, Professor, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Nephrology, Dalhousie University & NSHA
Member Bio:
Dr. Dominika Wranik
Associate Dean Research, Professor, PhD
School of Public Administration, Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
Member Bio:
OUR PARTNERS
Through ongoing partnerships with AGADA Biosciences Inc., the Centre for Drug Research and Development, Dalhousie University, the IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, CGEM has the infrastructure, knowhow, and dedication to ensure its discoveries are translated into new patient-oriented treatments that will make a significant impact in Canada and around the world.
