Adjunct professor
Max Rady College of Medicine
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
University of Manitoba
1015 Arlington Street
Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2
Phone: 204-789-5078
Fax: 204-789-2082
Email: ruimin.gao@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Ruimin Gao, PhD
Research achievements
Research summary
Dr. Gao leads the development and implementation of advanced genomics technologies to support infectious disease diagnosis in the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and support genomic surveillance across the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network.
Her research focuses on influenza viruses, coronaviruses, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), with particular emphasis on integrating genomic and molecular epidemiological data into public health surveillance and outbreak response. She also collaborates with the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network (SPSN) to evaluate the effectiveness of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines using genomic and molecular epidemiological approaches.
With multidisciplinary expertise spanning genomics, bioinformatics, molecular virology, genetics, microbiology, and biotechnology, Dr. Gao bridges fundamental research with applied public health science to improve the early detection, characterization, and monitoring of emerging respiratory viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential.
Research groups
Research scientist, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada
Research themes
- Artificial intelligence in genomics
- Computational biology
- Global and public health
- Host–pathogen interactions
- Third-generation sequencing
- Viral genomics and bioinformatics
Keywords
- Artificial intelligence
- Bioinformatics
- Genomic surveillance
- Infectious diseases
- Molecular virology
- Respiratory viruses
- Viral genome-wide association study (vGWAS)
Leadership style
Dr. Ruimin Gao strives to foster a positive, collaborative and respectful team culture. She believes that the strongest teams are composed of self-motivated individuals who feel valued, empowered to contribute ideas, and encouraged to combine their complementary expertise to solve complex problems efficiently. She believes that people achieve their best work when they are motivated by curiosity and purpose rather than external pressure.
Her team has established a supportive and inclusive environment built on openness, trust, shared purpose and accountability. This collaborative spirit enables the team to work efficiently toward shared goals and consistently deliver high-quality research outcomes. Through open communication, knowledge sharing, and participatory decision-making, her team maintains high standards of scientific excellence while supporting the professional growth of every member.
Teaching philosophy
Dr. Gao believes that the true value of knowledge lies in sharing it. She endeavors to inspire curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and scientific independence while equipping students with the confidence and analytical skills required to address complex research challenges.
Committed to teaching and mentorship, Dr. Gao fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive learning environment that emphasizes curiosity, methodological rigor, and lifelong learning. Her trainees consistently value her accessibility, clarity, enthusiasm, and dedication to their success. Dr. Gao aspires to help students realize their full potential and become innovative researchers who make meaningful contributions to science and society.
Biography
Dr. Gao is an adjunct professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba. She is also the head of the Genomics Unit within the Influenza, Respiratory Viruses and Coronaviruses (IRVC) Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), PHAC.
IRVC serves as Canada's National Influenza Centre, conducting national influenza surveillance and characterizing the antigenic and genetic evolution of circulating influenza viruses, and plays a critical role in Canada's preparedness for seasonal epidemics and future pandemics by supporting surveillance, diagnostics, vaccine strain selection, antiviral monitoring, and public health response. Within this framework, Dr. Gao leads research and development in genomics, bioinformatics, AI, and biotechnology to strengthen national laboratory capacity for respiratory viruses surveillance. Her research interests leverage third generation sequencing, advanced AI models and viral genome-wide association studies (vGWAS) to identify genetic determinants of virulence, transmission, and drug resistance.
She supervises a multidisciplinary team of biologists, laboratory technologists, and students working to develop innovative sequencing technologies and analytical methods that support public health decision-making. Beyond her research program, Dr. Gao contributes extensively to the Canadian and international scientific communities through publication, collaborative research, peer review of grants and manuscripts, and leadership in national genomics initiatives, including her role as co-chair of the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network (CPHLN) Genomics Working Group.
Education
Genome Canada Postdoctoral Fellow in Microbiology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, McGill University and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2018)
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in Genomics and Genetics, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2015)
PhD in Molecular Virology and Genomics, National University of Singapore (2013)
Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Pathology and Genomics, Henan Agricultural University (2009)
Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours), Henan Agricultural University (2006)
Contact us
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Max Rady College of Medicine
Room 543 - 745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
204-789-3299
204-789-3926