Glen F. Tibbits

Glen F. Tibbits is a Distinguished Professor and Chair in Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University (SFU), with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. He holds a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cardiac Physiology and is a Principal Scientist at the Child and Family Research Institute (CFRI). His research focuses on understanding mechanisms of inherited cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, leveraging zebrafish models and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. Key areas include calcium handling, ion channel physiology, and genetic variants linked to cardiac dysfunction. Tibbits' lab integrates proteomics, transcriptomics, and advanced imaging techniques to model disease processes and identify therapeutic targets.

Education: B.Ed. (McGill University), M.Sc. (UCLA), Ph.D. (Niigata University). Positions include leadership roles at SFU and CFRI, with affiliations in Biological Sciences and multiple clinical departments at the University of British Columbia. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, emphasizing cardiac physiology and pediatric cardiology.

Research interests span molecular mechanisms of cardiac adaptation, arrhythmogenesis, and disease modeling using iPSCs. Notable achievements include developing hiPSC pipelines for studying atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and investigating zebrafish as a model for temperature-dependent cardiac function. Tibbits' lab also explores drug screening platforms and biomaterials to enhance cardiomyocyte maturation.

Scientific Awards: Tier I Canada Research Chair (2023–present). Grants and collaborations focus on cardiac genetics, arrhythmia mechanisms, and translational therapies. The lab hosts graduate students and postdocs in physiology, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering, fostering interdisciplinary research.

Labs and Teams: The Tibbits Lab operates dual sites at SFU (TASC II) and CFRI, employing advanced microscopy, electrophysiology, and bioengineering tools. Current projects include decoding noncoding genetic variants in cardiovascular disease and leveraging proteogenomics for arrhythmia prediction.