Jennifer Thompson

Dr. Jennifer Thompson, PhD

Positions

Assistant Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Member

Libin Cardiovascular Institute

Child Health & Wellness Researcher

Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute

Contact information

Web presence

Phone number

Office: 403.220.3873

Background

Educational Background

B.A. , University of Western Ontario, 2004

Doctor of Philosophy , University of Western Ontario, 2012

M.S. , University of Western Ontario, 2006

Research

Areas of Research

Cardiovascular
Diabetes
Maternal Health
Metabolic Diseases
Obesity
Pregnancy
Activities

Intrauterine life is a phase of rapid growth and maturation that is highly sensitive to environmental insults. When adverse intrauterine conditions provoke adaptations in developmental trajectories, this can have a lasting impact on organ function that increases the risk for later-life chronic disease. Indeed, babies born from pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity or diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease risk factors in childhood and adolescence. Given the high prevalence of obesity in countries like Canada, we believe that these metabolic complications of pregnancy have played an important role in the emergence of cardiovascular risk factors in the pediatric population. Our lab uses mouse models of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes to identify the developmental pertubations underlying programmed disease risk in offspring born to obese or diabetic mothers.

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
MDSC 75509 LEC 06 06 Directed Study 2020
MDSC 75503 LEC 01 01 Directed Study 2020
MDSC 75508 LEC 04 04 Directed Study 2021