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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.

Our Mission & Goals

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.

Structure
CGEM Assets Map Structure

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.

Our Executive

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.

Our Members

Distribution of CGEM Members

Dalhousie University

28

9

IWK

Health Centre

13

NS Health Authority (NSHA)

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://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/mohamed-abouelhassan.html

​

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: 

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/heleen-arts.html

Dr. Karen Bedard

Associate Professor, PhD

Pathology, Hematopathology, Pediatrics; Dalhousie University, IWK, NSHA

​

Member Bio: 

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/karen-bedard.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/microbiology/people/our-faculty/jeanette-boudreau.html

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
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:

https://bhcri.ca/dr.-sidney-e.-croul

Dr. Kellie Davis

Medical Geneticist, MD
Medical Genetics & Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University

Dr. Graham Dellaire

PhD Experimental Medicine 

Pathology, Dalhousie University
 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/graham-dellaire.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/sarah-dyack.html

Dr. Manal Elnenaei

Medical Biochemist, MBChB, PhD, FRCPath, EuSpLM

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dalhousie University & NSHA

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/manal-elnenaei.html

Dr. Greg Fairn

PhD, PDF

Pathology, Dalhousie University

Dr. Conrad Fernandez

Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, MD, FRCPC

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, ​IWK & Dalhousie University

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/conrad-fernandez.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/divisions/cardiology/our-people/faculty/martin-gardner.html

Dr. Dan Gaston

PhD

Bioinformatics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dalhousie University, NSHA, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute

​

Member Bio:

https://bhcri.ca/dr.-daniel-gaston

Dr. Sharan Goobie

Medical Geneticist, MD, MSc

Medical Genetics & Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/sharan-goobie.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/shashi-gujar.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pharmacology/our-people/faculty/adjunct-appointments/eric-hoffman--phd.html

Dr. Peter Hull

MD, FRCPC (Dermatology), PhD (Human Genetics)

Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, Dalhousie University & NSHA

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/divisions/dermatology/our-people/faculty/peter-hull.html

Dr. Tobias Karakach

PhD (Bioinformatics for Functional Genomics)

Phamacology, Dalhousie University

​

Member Bio:

https://uniweb.dal.ca/members/1410/profile

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/biochemistry-molecular-biology/our-people/faculty/kramer.html

Dr. Ketan Kulkarni

Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist, MD

Hematology-Oncology, Pathology, Pharmacy, Dalhousie University & IWK 

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/ketan-kulkarni.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pharmacology/our-people/faculty/morgan-langille.html

Dr. Jason LeBlanc

Microbiologist, Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology, Professor, PhD, FCCM 

Pharmacology, Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University & NSHA

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pathology/our-people/our-faculty/jason-leblanc.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/microbiology/people/our-faculty/paola-marcato.html

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:

https://marignanilab.com/dr-paola-marignani/

Dr. Victor Martinez            

Clinical Genomics Specialist

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health                         

Dr. Christopher McMaster

Professor, PhD (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), PDF (Functional Genetics)

​Pharmacology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pharmacology/our-people/faculty/christopher-mcmaster.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/ophthalmology/our-people/faculty/andrew-orr.html

Dr. Anthony (Tony) Otley

Clinical Researcher, Division Head Pediatric Gastroenterology, Professor, MD, FRCPC, MSc

Pediatrics & Medicine,  Dalhousie University & IWK

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/anthony-otley.html

Dr. Sandhya Parkash

Medical Geneticist, Assistant Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG 
Department of PediatricsDivision of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/sandhya-parkash.html

Dr. Lynette Penney

Medical Geneticist, Associate Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG

Department of PediatricsDivision of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/lynette-penney.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/ophthalmology/our-people/faculty/johane-robitaille.html

Dr. Kirill Rosen

Professor, PhD

Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University & IWK 

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/biochemistry-molecular-biology/our-people/faculty/rosen.html

Dr. Ferhan Siddiqi

Associate Professor, MD, FRCPC, MScHQ, PDF

Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medicine, Dalhousie University & NSHA

​

Member Bio:
https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/divisions/endocrinology/our-people/faculty/ferhan-siddiqi.html

Dr. David Skidmore 

Medical Geneticist and Assistant Professor, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG

​Maritime Medical Genetics, Pediatrics, IWK & Dalhousie University

​

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/david-skidmore.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/community-health/our-people/our-faculty/sanja-stanojevic.html

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

Kelly Turner

Genetic Counsellor, MSc, CGC

Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/community-health/our-people/our-faculty/robin-urqhart.html

Dr. Aarnoud C. Van der Spoel 

Assistant Professor, PhD

Pediatrics, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University

 

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/biochemistry-molecular-biology/our-people/faculty/vanderspoel.html

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 PediatricsDivision of Medical Genetics & General Internal Medicine, Dalhousie University & IWK

                       

Member Bio:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/pediatrics/our-people/our-faculty/anthony-vandersteen.html

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:

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/divisions/nephrology/our-people/faculty/michael-west.html

Dr. Dominika Wranik 

Associate Dean Research, Professor, PhD

School of Public Administration, Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University

 

Member Bio:

https://www.dal.ca/faculty/management/school-of-public-administration/faculty-staff/our-faculty/dominika-wranik.html

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.

Our Partners
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