About the lab
An interdisciplinary research community at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, focused on how biological systems, in particular skeletal muscle, adapt, regenerate and respond to disease.
Who we are
Our work spans molecular biology, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, cancer cachexia and systems biology. We also explore broader questions about 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 bring diverse perspectives and expertise. We value curiosity, integrity, collaboration and a commitment to research that advances both scientific knowledge and societal impact.
We believe excellent science is strengthened by mentorship, community and inclusion. Our lab culture emphasizes collaboration over competition, lifelong learning, and meaningful engagement with the communities our research serves.
Our values
- Discovery
- We pursue fundamental questions in biology to better understand health, disease and regeneration.
- Collaboration
- The most important scientific questions require diverse expertise and perspectives.
- Mentorship
- We support the next generation of researchers, clinicians, educators and leaders.
- Responsibility
- Biomedical research has an obligation to serve society through socially accountable, impactful scholarship.
- Inclusion
- We foster an environment where all members can contribute, learn and thrive.
Principal investigator
Dr. Nadine Wiper-Bergeron
Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Vice-Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.
Trained originally in immunology and biochemistry, Dr. Wiper-Bergeron leads a research program on 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 her career she has built an interdisciplinary program that combines molecular biology, genomics, regenerative medicine, education scholarship and community-engaged research. Her lab uses approaches including single-cell genomics to understand how cellular ecosystems respond to regeneration, aging, inflammation and disease.
Beyond discovery science, she is recognized for 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 co-founded the ACCESS Lab with Dr. Emilio Alarcón, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on disability, accessibility, belonging and lived experience across biomedical research, health care, education and STEM.
Contact
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Roger Guindon Hall, Room 3239
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada