Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie, BSc, PhD

  • Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie

  • Professor

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
    Room 611 – Basic Medical Sciences Building
    745 Bannatyne Avenue
    University of Manitoba
    Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9

    Phone: 204-789-3431
    tamra.ogilvie@umanitoba.ca
    Twitter: @OgilvieTamra

Accepting graduate students

  • PhD - yes

Research theme

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Pediatric cancer
  • Stem cell biology

Research interests

  • Medulloblastoma
  • Pediatric brain tumors
  • Cancer stem cells

Keywords

  • Medulloblastoma
  • Self-renewal and neural differentiation
  • Xenotransplantation assays
  • Gene expression profiling 
  • OTX2
  • CD271/p75NTR

Research affiliations

  • Affiliate research scientist, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM)
  • Affiliate scientist, Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology (RIOH), Winnipeg, Manitoba

Research summary

Dr. Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie has made significant contributions to the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating stem cell function and heterogeneity in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common primary malignant childhood brain tumor.

Her lab has discovered central regulators of self-renewal (Nature Communications, 2020, Molecular Oncology, 2018, Disease Models & Mechanisms, 2015; Stem Cells, 2012) and potential diagnostic biomarkers for MB (Cancer Research, 2018).

Dr. Werbowetski-Ogilvie routinely utilizes model systems, some of which she first developed (Nature Biotechnology, 2009; Stem Cells, 2012), that most closely represent the human condition, including primary MB cells from patient tumors, MB-like cells derived from human neural precursor cells and mouse models where these cells are implanted into the cerebellum.

Over the last 10 years, Dr. Werbowetski-Ogilvie has been continuously supported by provincial, national and international funding agencies, including Research Manitoba, CHRIM, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), NSERC, the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (US) and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (US).

Biography

Dr. Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie received her honours bachelor of science in biology at the University Western Ontario in 2000. She completed her PhD in the department of neurology and neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University, with a research focus on malignant brain tumors in 2006.

Dr. Werbowetski-Ogilvie then pursued postdoctoral training in human stem cell biology at McMaster University, following which she joined the University of Manitoba as a principal investigator in the department of biochemistry and medical genetics and the regenerative medicine program in November, 2010.

Dr. Werbowetski-Ogilvie currently holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Neuro-Oncology and Human Stem Cells.

Education

  • PhD, Brain Tumour Research Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (2006)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology (Honours), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario (2000)

Awards

  • Outstanding reviewer recognition by CIHR College of Reviewers (2020)
  • Nominee: YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Manitoba (2017)
  • Canada Research Chair Tier II in Neurooncology and Human Stem Cells (2011-2022)
  • Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCS-RI), Junior Investigator Grant Panel Travel Award (2011)
  • McMaster University FHS Postdoctoral Fellow Publication Award, for Werbowetski-Ogilvie et al., Nature Biotechnology, 2009. McMaster University. (2010)
  • NCIC Harold E. Johns Fellowship Award for highest-ranking post-doctoral fellow in Canada, 2007 NCIC competition, McMaster University (2008)
  • NCIC Post PhD Research Fellowship, McMaster University (2007-2010)
  • CIHR Post-doctoral Fellowship (2007-Declined)
  • CIHR Doctoral Research Award, McGill University (2002-2005)
  • NSERC PGS-A Scholarship (2000-2002)
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2000-Declined)
  • NSERC summer undergraduate student research award (2000)

ORCID profile

Visit Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie's ORCID profile for a complete listing, or find her on ResearchGate.

Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie's profile

Contact us

Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
Room 336 Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada

bmgadmin@umanitoba.ca