Brenda Elias, BA(H), MA, PhD

Research summary

Dr. Brenda Elias conducts multilevel quantitative and mixed-method studies into the social, cultural, biological, economic, political and historical determinants of health. She leads "Translating to the Community: A social epigenetic study of FASD".

This study, funded by CIHR, Kid’s Brain Network, and Manitoba Liquor, Lotteries and Cannabis, is seeking to develop an early diagnostic biomarker tool for FASD and associated co-morbidities.

Complimenting this study, Dr. Elias is the program director of the SSHRC-Partner funded “Looking after each other: A dignity promotion partnership project.

In addition, Dr. Elias is co-principal applicant of the Wuniska Indigenous Centre on HIV/HCV/STBBI Inequities (Saskatchewan and Manitoba).

Research themes

FASD and human rights

gender health

Indigenous health

mental health

social determinants

Research affiliations

Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Research Affiliate, University of Manitoba, Centre for Human Rights

Research groups

International Group for Indigenous Health Measurement

Canadian Indigenous Research Network Against Cancer

Dr. Brenda Elias is a full professor in community health sciences in Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She is also former co-director and founding member of the Manitoba First Nations Centre for Aboriginal Health Research.

Dr. Elias is the Director of the Bold Ideas Colloquium Series in community health sciences. She a research affiliate with the University of Manitoba Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) and is working with like-minded colleagues to advance health rights of populations.

In the community health sciences graduate program, she teaches core concepts in public health, health survey research methods and the social organization of health.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Manitoba (2004)
• Master of Arts, University of Manitoba (1991)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Manitoba (1985)

Awards

CIHR New Investigator Award 2006-2011