David Natale

Dr. David Natale is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen's University, with a cross-appointment in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. His research focuses on placental development, particularly in pregnancies complicated by maternal disease (e.g., pre-eclampsia, diabetes) or exposures (e.g., cannabis). He uses mouse and rat models to study trophoblast stem cell differentiation and placental dysfunction.

Education: Ph.D. in Physiology and Pharmacology (University of Western Ontario, 2003), B.Sc. (University of Western Ontario, 1996). Postdoctoral training under Dr. Jay Cross (University of Calgary) and later appointments include Assistant Professor roles at the University of Calgary (2008–2013) and University of California San Diego (2013–2019).

Research interests span cell biology, regenerative medicine, and placental biology. His lab investigates how trophoblast populations and interactions are altered under compromised conditions, with recent emphasis on cannabinoid effects and maternal-fetal outcomes.

Grants and funding include support from CIHR, NIH/NICHD, and UCSD/UCLA Diabetes Research Center. Current supervision includes postdoctoral fellow Samantha Benton.

Labs/Teams: Queen's University placental research group, collaborations with human placenta research teams.