About the Lab
Who We Are
The Wiper-Bergeron Lab is an interdisciplinary research community at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine focused on understanding how biological systems, in particular skeletal muscle, adapt, regenerate, and respond to disease. Our work spans molecular biology, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, cancer cachexia, and systems biology, while also exploring broader questions related to graduate education, social accountability, accessibility, and the role of biomedical research in society.
Our team includes trainees, staff, collaborators, clinicians, educators, and community partners who contribute diverse perspectives and expertise. We value curiosity, integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to conducting research that advances both scientific knowledge and societal impact.
We believe that excellent science is strengthened by mentorship, community, and inclusion. As a result, our laboratory culture emphasizes collaboration over competition, lifelong learning, and meaningful engagement with the communities our research ultimately serves.
Our Values
Discovery
We pursue fundamental questions in biology to better understand health, disease, and regeneration.
Collaboration
We recognize that the most important scientific questions require diverse expertise and perspectives.
Mentorship
We are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers, clinicians, educators, and leaders.
Responsibility
We believe biomedical research has an obligation to serve society through socially accountable and impactful scholarship.
Inclusion
We strive to foster an environment where all members can contribute, learn, and thrive.
About Nadine Wiper-Bergeron
Dr. Nadine Wiper-Bergeron is Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Vice-Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.
Trained originally in immunology and biochemistry, her research program investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern cellular identity, stem cell function, tissue regeneration, and adaptation to disease. Her work has contributed to our understanding of transcriptional regulation, glucocorticoid signalling, skeletal muscle stem cell biology, and cancer cachexia.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Wiper-Bergeron has developed an interdisciplinary research program that combines molecular biology, genomics, regenerative medicine, education scholarship, and community-engaged research. Her laboratory uses cutting-edge approaches including single-cell genomics to understand how cellular ecosystems respond to regeneration, aging, inflammation, and disease.
Beyond discovery science, Dr. Wiper-Bergeron is recognized for her contributions to graduate education, mentorship, and educational innovation. Her scholarship explores professionalism, social accountability, science communication, and the role of biomedical research in addressing societal priorities.
She is also the founder of ACCESS Lab with Dr. Emilio Alarcon, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on disability, accessibility, belonging, and lived experience across biomedical research, healthcare, education, and STEM environments.