Dr. Jessica Rosin
CIHR Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Immune Regulation of Developmental Programs
April 1, 2022–March 31, 2027
Research summary
Microglia act as the first and main form of immune defense in the central nervous system. Located throughout the brain and spinal cord, they scavenge for pathogens, plaques, damaged neurons and any other changes that could harm the central nervous system. Recent scientific advances have highlighted the importance of these resident defenders to normal brain development. But a fundamental question that remains is whether a similar developmental role takes place in other regions of the body as embryos develop, including craniofacial tissues.
As Canada Research Chair in Immune Regulation of Developmental Programs, Dr. Jessica Rosin is focusing on the role that macrophages (a type of white blood cell) and osteoclasts (a type of cell that breaks down bone tissue) play in the development of the upper face. She and her research team are investigating whether signals from these immune cells during the first eight weeks of gestation contribute to normal craniofacial development. Their findings will shed light on how maternal diseases and illnesses experienced during pregnancy may disrupt the normal development of the fetus.
Dr. Joy Richman
CIHR Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Craniofacial and Dental Development
January 1, 2023–December 31, 2029
Research summary
Children who are missing teeth face a range of potential problems—from chewing, choking and digestion hazards to self-esteem issues related to their appearance. As a pediatric dental clinician-scientist and Canada Research Chair in Craniofacial and Dental Development, Dr. Joy Richman is trying to improve children’s oral health.
She and her research team hope to discover the environmental factors that protect fetuses from developing craniofacial abnormalities, such as cleft lips. They are using chicken embryos for this work, in part because these can be accessed directly through windows in their shells. The team’s other goal is to define the cellular and molecular basis of permanent tooth formation. Ultimately, Dr. Richman and her team hope their discoveries will improve children’s lives by leading to new therapies for teeth that never come in or are lost to accident or disease.
Dr. Catherine Poh
CIHR Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Oral Cancer Research
April 1, 2025–March 31, 2032
Research summary
Oral cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates among major cancers, mainly because it is difficult to predict which early oral lesions will progress to cancer. Current diagnostic tools cannot reliably identify high-risk cases, leading to both overtreatment and missed opportunities for early intervention. As Canada Research Chair in Oral Cancer Research, Dr. Catherine Poh is developing a powerful new test to transform how oral precancerous lesions are assessed and managed.
Drawing on a uniquely annotated sample bank, she and her research team are combining genomic sequencing with advanced imaging to uncover the molecular changes linked to cancer progression. By integrating multi-omic data, they aim to develop actionable biomarkers that distinguish high-risk lesions from benign ones. This will enable personalized treatment plans that reduce unnecessary interventions and improve survival. Ultimately, their work will advance precision medicine in cancer prevention.