Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a BSc (Biochemistry, High Honours) and PhD (Biochemistry) from the University of Saskatchewan, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at VIDO-InterVac. Her research focuses on mucosal immunology, neonatal vaccinology, and swine immunology, with a particular emphasis on intrauterine immunization strategies and intestinal permeability in piglets. She has trained 3 postdoctoral fellows, 2 Master’s students, and 1 Ph.D. student, and teaches courses in Biochemistry and Veterinary Microbiology.

Her current projects include studying intestinal permeability in neonatal piglets, developing mucosal vaccines via intrauterine delivery, and investigating vaccines for pathogens like Lawsonia intracellularis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Her work integrates animal models (e.g., pigs, rabbits) to bridge fundamental immunology and translational vaccine development.

Publications highlight her contributions to understanding Toll-like receptor localization, mucosal immunity mechanisms, and the impact of environmental factors (e.g., mycotoxins) on intestinal health. Her research underscores the potential of swine as a model for human immunological studies due to their physiological similarities.