Jeffrey Biernaskie

Dr. Jeffrey Biernaskie is a Full Professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, where he holds the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society Chair in Skin Regeneration and Wound Healing. He serves as Director of the Centre for Cell Therapy Translation and Chair of the Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine Research Group. His affiliations include the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Education:

• BSc in Neuro Psychology (University of Lethbridge, 1998)
• PhD in Neuroscience (Memorial University, 2004)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Skin and neural stem cell biology (The Hospital for Sick Children, 2009)

Research Focus: Dr. Biernaskie investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms governing fibrotic versus regenerative healing, aiming to restore organ function post-injury. His lab studies how skin/brain stem cells are regulated during homeostasis and how injury, aging, and immunity impact their function. Key areas include stem cell reprogramming, immune modulation of regeneration, and single-cell analysis of tissue repair.

Publication Trends: His recent work emphasizes regenerative medicine innovations, particularly in skin/brain repair, using advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell genomics. Themes include stem cell plasticity, immune-microenvironment interactions, biomaterial applications, and translational models of wound healing.

Awards & Honors:

• Killam Professor (2024)
• Royal Society of Canada College Scholar (2019)
• CIHR New Investigator Award (2011)
• Multiple postdoctoral fellowships and early-career recognitions

Leadership: Dr. Biernaskie directs the Biernaskie Lab, an interdisciplinary team exploring stem cell biology and tissue regeneration. The lab collaborates across neuroscience, immunology, and bioengineering to develop therapies for burns, nerve injuries, and degenerative conditions.