Leadership
An integrated research vision at Manitoba’s Hospital
Shared Health Manitoba and the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences have a joint interest in achieving a high standard of health sciences research by collaborating on the development of joint research programs within an integrated structure. PrairieNeuro focuses on the joint interest of advancing science to improve the outcomes of patients with neurological disease. PrairieNeuro is governed by an oversight committee led by the Vice-Dean (Research) of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (University of Manitoba) and the Director of Shared Health Manitoba Research and Innovation.
The Scientific Director is responsible for providing leadership on the strategic direction, initiatives, and activities of PrairieNeuro, to ensure global excellence in neuroscience research and the advancement of positive patient outcomes in brain disease and mental health disorders.
PrairieNeuro research activities are largely driven by state-of-the-art microscopy approaches that allow visualization and analysis of brain structure and function in real time. The Live Cell Imaging Facility (LCIF) is a core advanced microscopy platform that enables PrairieNeuro researchers to perform intricate cell, molecular and circuitry studies in the brain. The LCIF Director is responsible for the management of platform infrastructure and vision.
Dr. Chris Anderson
PrairieNeuro Scientific Director
Dr. Chris Anderson is the founding Scientific Director of PrairieNeuro and is also a Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Anderson is passionate about neuroscience networking, outreach and policy. He leads the vigorous activities of the Manitoba Neuroscience Network and serves as the Manitoba representative on the national committee of neuroscience institute leaders for the Canadian Brain Research Strategy initiative (CBRS).
Dr. Mike Jackson
Director, PrairieNeuro Live Cell Imaging Facility
Michael Jackson joined the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University of Manitoba in 2013. His laboratory is located at the Prairie Neuroscience Research Centre in the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine (KIAM). Dr. Jackson obtained his PhD from McGill University in the Department of Pharmacology. Following postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto in the Department of Physiology, he moved to the Robarts Research Institute at Western University in 2008 as a Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.