Vanessa Poliquin, MD, MSc, FRCSC

  • Portrait of Vanessa Poliquin

  • Associate professor

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Section head, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
    Chair, Provincial Obstetrical Working Group
    WN5011 – 820 Sherbrook Street
    Health Sciences Hospital
    Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1R9

    Phone: 204-787-4796
    Fax: 204-787-2920
    vpoliquin@hsc.mb.ca
    Website: www.mthrive.ca
    Instagram: @thrivestudy

Research themes

  • Vaginal mucosal system
  • Maternal Immunization
  • Penicillin allergy in pregnancy

    Post-operative wound infections

Research affiliations

Research scientist, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM)

Research groups

Research summary

Dr. Poliquin’s prospective clinical research focuses on the vaginal mucosal system, specifically, how the vaginal microbiome and the vaginal immune system function together in a variety of vaginal pathology including recurrent bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis and human papilloma infection. Dr. Poliquin accomplishes this research in collaboration with the THRIVE Study Group, a study of host-bacterial relationships and immune function in different vaginal environments.

Dr. Poliquin also has a special interest in barriers to uptake of vaccinations during pregnancy. Dr. Poliquin is also an active supervisor for trainee projects within her department.

Biography

Dr. Vanessa Poliquin is a clinician scientist and assistant professor in obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences in the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba.

Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Poliquin attended medical school at the University of Western Ontario and completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Manitoba.

Following residency, Dr. Poliquin pursued a fellowship in reproductive infectious diseases with training distributed between Winnipeg, Vancouver and Toronto.

Subsequently, she completed a master’s degree in epidemiology through the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Dr. Poliquin wears several administrative hats, including co-chair of the Society of Gynecologists of Canada’s infectious diseases committee and chair of the provincial obstetrical working group for Manitoba.

She has received a number of accolades, most notably the CMA’s Early Career Leader Award for 2020.

Education

  • Master’s of science (epidemiology), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2019)
  • Clinical fellowship in reproductive infectious diseases, University of Manitoba (2018)
  • Residency in obstetrics & gynecology, University of Manitoba (2014)
  • Medical doctorate, University of Western Ontario (2008)
  • Bachelor of health sciences, McMaster University (2004)

Awards

  • National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education (2020)
  • CMA, Early Career Young Leaders Award (2020)
  • Allen-Carey Award of Excellence in Women’s Health, London Health Sciences Foundation (2017)
  • R. Samuel McLaughlin/MMSF Research & Education Fellowship Award in Medicine (2017)
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Deweiter Travelling Fellowship (2015)
  • University of Manitoba, Dean of Medicine’s Education and Research Fellowship Fund (2014)
  • Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health, Resident Research Award (2013)
  • Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health, Resident Research Award (2011)
  • University of Manitoba, Dr. Michael Bruser Memorial Award (2011)
  • University of Manitoba, Nominee for Best Resident Teacher Award (2012)
  • University of Manitoba, Dr. Max Rady Award for an Outstanding PGY-2 in OBGYN (2010)

Contact us

Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
260 Brodie Centre - 727 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba, Bannatyne Campus
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5 Canada

204-787-3175
204-787-2887