Professor Dr. Francois Bernier

Biography

Francois Bernier is a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary and serves as the Director of the Clinical Genetics Unit at Alberta Children's Hospital. He is also the Scientific Director of Precision Health at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. Dr. Bernier's research primarily focuses on clinical molecular delineation of genetic disorders, with a strong emphasis on autism, rare diseases, and their molecular mechanisms. His ongoing work includes studying a novel autosomal recessive disorder observed within the Hutterite population, which is characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy and cerebellar ataxia with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. Additionally, he has led a large prospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between maternal environmental factors, nutrition, maternal and child mental health, and neonatal health outcomes, including congenital anomalies. His establishment of a cohort biobank also provides significant opportunities to explore the interplay between maternal environment and genetics in health outcomes for children.

Research Interests