Meghan Riddell

Dr. Meghan Riddell is an Associate Professor jointly appointed in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Physiology at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Maternal-fetal interface biology in health & disease and leads the Riddell Lab, which focuses on placental biology and pregnancy complications.

Her educational background includes:

• BSc in Honours Immunology and Infection (2008) from University of Alberta
• PhD in Physiology (2013) from University of Alberta
• Post Doctoral Training at Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research; Laboratory for Cell Polarity and Tissue Morphogenesis (2014-2018)

Dr. Riddell's research focuses on placental morphogenesis and the pathogenesis of common pregnancy complications, with particular interest in trophoblasts (a placental-specific cell lineage) and endothelial cells (which form blood vessel linings). Her lab investigates how microenvironmental perturbations at the maternal/fetal interface lead to placental dysfunction, with emphasis on understanding trophoblast differentiation and their responses to inflammation and hypoxia. The lab also studies placental blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and how disruptions in this process contribute to pregnancy complications. Her work employs sophisticated biochemistry and cell biology techniques to understand molecular mechanisms at a cellular level.

Dr. Riddell's recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate consistent research output focused on cell polarity signaling in trophoblasts, mechanisms of cell fusion, and inflammatory responses at the maternal-fetal interface. These studies reveal important connections between cellular processes and pregnancy outcomes.

Her scientific achievements include:

• Canada Research Chair in Maternal-fetal interface biology in health & disease

Dr. Riddell teaches courses PHYSL 413/513 and PHYSL 463/464 at the University of Alberta, sharing her expertise in physiology with students. She is deeply committed to integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion into her research and teaching practices, recognizing these values as essential for enriching knowledge and promoting excellence in research and healthcare. The Riddell Lab operates from the 227-F Heritage Medical Research Centre at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta.