• Portrait of Brian Schmidt
  • Professor

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Section of Neurology
    Department of Internal Medicine
    Health Sciences Centre
    GF532-820 Sherbrook Street
    Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9

    Phone: 204-787-2254
    Fax 204-787-1486
    brian.schmidt@umanitoba.ca

Cross-appointments

Research achievements

Research summary

Dr. Brian Schmidt’s research explores fundamental mechanisms of motor control, locomotion in particular. This work involves the use of novel in vitro and in vivo experimental models and a range of electrophysiological and neuropharmacological techniques. 

More recent projects aim to restore motor control and walking after spinal cord injury through neurochemical facilitation of neurons involved in locomotor command signal transmission. His research has had long-standing support from the MRC/CIHR as well as numerous local and international agencies. 

In addition to supervising summer students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows he has been an advisory committee member for over 30 graduate students.

Research themes

  • Motor control
  • Research interests
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Spinal cord locomotor networks and mechanisms

Research affiliations

Biography

Dr. Brian Schmidt is a clinician-scientist and professor in the section of neurology, department of internal medicine and an adjunct professor in the physiology and pathophysiology department at the Max Rady College of Medicine. He received his M.D. from UM in 1980 and completed specialty training in neurology at the Montreal Neurological Institute/McGill University in 1984. His career-long interest in spinal cord research was stimulated by a B.Sc. (Med.) project as medical student during the summers of 1977-78 under the mentorship of Dr. Larry Jordan in physiology department. From 1984 to 1988 he was supported by an MRC fellowship for further research training at the Laboratory of Neural Control, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, and Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles. Clinically, Dr. Schmidt is a consultant neurologist for the inpatient and outpatient services at the Health Sciences Centre including the Neuromuscular Electrodiagnosis Laboratory.  For 33 years he has served on the neurology residency training committee in various capacities, including program director and resident research director. 

Education

  • MRC Research Fellowship, Laboratory of Neural Control, NINCDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, UCLA (1984 - 1988)
  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1985)
  • Corporation Professionnelles des Medecins du Quebec (neurology) (1984)
  • Residency training in neurology, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University (1984)
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (neurology) (1984)
  • Internship (straight internal medicine), University of Manitoba affiliated teaching hospitals (1981)
  • Medical doctorate, University of Manitoba (1980)

Awards

  • Educator of the Year Award, Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba (2020)
  • Number one rated neurologist, department of internal medicine, University of Manitoba (2020, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2007)
  • Joe Doupe Annual Keynote Lecture, Max Rady College of Medicine (2014)
  • Norman Hill Award and Annual Lectureship, section of neurosurgery, Max Rady College of Medicine (2010)
  • Excellence in Teaching Award, department of internal medicine, University of Manitoba (2009)
  • Morely Lertzman Award – highest rated consultant/teacher, department of medicine (2005)
  • Will-to-Win Canadian Paraplegic Association Scholarship (2002)
  • Manitoba Health Research Council Scholarship (1993)
  • Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Scholarship (1990)
  • Medical Research Council of Canada Fellowship (1987)
  • Allyn Rosen Research Award, University of Manitoba (1979)
  • J.R. Nicholson Prize Research Award (1979)
  • University of Manitoba Alumni Scholarship (1976)
  • Isbister Scholarship, University of Manitoba (1976)
  • Christopher M. Keenan Scholarship, University of Manitoba (1976)
  • Gerald Lahey Memorial Scholarship, University of Manitoba (1975)

Contact us

Internal Medicine
Room GC430, Health Sciences Centre
820 Sherbrook Street
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9 Canada

204-787-7772
204-787-4826