Learn more about The Olson Laboratory Team
David M. Olson
Ph.D., D.Sc., FRCOG, FCAHS
University of Alberta Distinguished
Professor
Primary Investigator
His career and research program have been dedicated to improving maternal-child health.
I am David Olson, Ph.D., D.Sc., FRCOG, FCAHS, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with adjunct appointments to the Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology. As a perinatal physiologist in a clinical department, my work focuses on improving women’s pregnancy and newborn health. This work has resulted in over 200 peer-reviewed publications, 26 book chapters, and almost 450 conference abstracts.
My studies and patents on products to diagnose and treat preterm birth and fetal/newborn inflammation and on pregnant women’s vulnerability to environmental mental health stressors are internationally renowned. I served the University of Alberta community for 31 years as Director of the Perinatal Research Centre, chair/member of faculty strategic planning committees, course coordinator, mentor of trainees and colleagues, and collaborator.
Beyond, I founded the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting, the International Inflammatory Pathways to Preterm Birth Team, and the Optimal Pregnancy Environment Risk Assessment (OPERA) program. I chair the Worldwide Universities Network Public Health Committee and was an elected officer in three societies. In 2021, I was awarded a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from U Lethbridge for my contributions to women's pregnancy health. I received the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Tier I Basic Science Mentor Award in 2022, was named a University of Alberta Distinguished Professor in 2023, and received the University Cup in 2024.
I am a firm believer in the importance of translating scientific discoveries into products that serve society. I have founded two companies, and my trainees witness and participate in the process of commercialization, broadening their perspectives and career choices.
Kelycia Leimert
B.Sc., Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
I'm a Senior Scientist in The Olson Laboratory. I manage the lab and work with our trainees to advance our projects.
My career is dedicated to improving health outcomes for individuals impacted by preterm birth. During my Ph.D., I examined the inflammatory cooperativity between ligands, cells, and tissues in the uterus as a hallmark of human parturition. A unique postdoctoral experience in Accra, Ghana, solidified my intent to improve women's pregnancy health by translating discovery science into valuable products. Together with our collaborators, I am now developing diagnostic tools and therapies for preterm birth and fetal inflammation.
I am a founder of Livmor Biosciences, Inc., and I am a member of the management team of Maternica Therapeutics, Inc.
Junyoung Yang
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Laboratory Technologist
I am the Animal and Lab Technologist in The Olson Laboratory. I oversee key aspects of animal care, preclinical research, experiment design, and overall lab operations. I hold a Master's degree from the Cancer and Diabetes Institute at Gachon University in Korea, and I also completed the Lab Research and Biotechnology course at NAIT.
Currently, I am working on a preclinical trial stage project focusing on drug production requests, experimental design, and in vivo studies. My primary objective is to generate robust preclinical data that support FDA approval and the transition of our therapeutic candidates into clinical trials.
Anna Noga
B.Sc., Ph.D.
Website Maintenance
I was The Olson Laboratory Project Translation Coordinator from 2021-2024. I helped team members with their publications, grant applications, and other communication materials. My motto is succinct and clear writing! Currently, I assist the lab with some administrative tasks and help to maintain the Olson Lab website.
I obtained my Ph.D. in the Department of Biochemistry, and I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pediatrics, both at the University of Alberta. Since then, my work experience has included science outreach, non-profit administration, teaching, and knowledge translation.
Yueyang Wang
M.Sc, M.D.
Visiting Graduate Student
I am a visiting Ph.D. student from Harbin Medical University in China. In The Olson Laboratory, I am studying the protective effects of rytvela on the structure and function of organs in mouse pups exposed to inflammation.
My past research projects focused on maternal nutrition during pregnancy, particularly micro-nutrient functionality and obstetrics-related toxicology in pregnant women and mice. I am also an Obstetrician and trained at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of the Harbin Medical University. My long-term career goals are to advance maternal and child health through my clinical practice and interdisciplinary research.
Noor Assaf
B.Sc.
Graduate Student
I am currently an MSc student in the Olson Lab. I recently graduated from the University of Windsor with my B.Sc. in Biology.
For my project, I am developing a diagnostic tool to predict term labour and another tool using AI machine learning to predict the risk of preterm labour.
Tania Rodezno
B.A.
Graduate Student
I am a graduate student in The Olson Laboratory.
I graduated with a B.A. in Biology from Augustana University, SD, USA, where my previous mentor and I collaborated briefly with Dr. Olson.
Here, I strive to continue that research and elucidate the role of neutrophil activation on term and preterm labour and determine the chemokine composition of human placental membranes at the time of term and preterm parturition.
Wendy Xu
B.Sc.
Graduate Student
I am a graduate student in the Olson Lab.
I first joined The Olson Laboratory for my undergraduate Honours Physiology thesis project, where I studied the paternal influence on the transgenerational inheritance of stress and preterm birth in rats.
After graduating with my B.Sc. in Physiology from the University of Alberta in June 2021, I stayed on as a Laboratory Technologist for a year.
Now, my project focuses on examining the effects of Interleukin (IL)-6 and HSJ633, an IL-6 receptor antagonist, on cytokine and chemokine regulation in human fetal membranes.
Alumni
