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Ruanne Lai

(she/her/hers)
Research and Knowledge Translation Facilitator, University of British Columbia

Ruanne Lai completed her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of British Columbia. She completed her Master of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University. Currently, she is the Research Facilitator for the Research Excellence Cluster in Vision. Previously, she was the Research Manager for the Social Exposome Research Cluster at the University of British Columbia, which is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

Lai has advocated for research funding on Capitol Hill at Washington, DC, spoken at outreach events with Fighting Blindness Canada, and written for the Canadian Science Policy Centre. At the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Ruanne communicated research to the blind/visually impaired community. She was an invited speaker on the radio show/podcast Eyes on Success.

Experience

  • 2022–present
    Research and Knowledge Translation Facilitator, Research Excellence Cluster in Vision
  • 2020–2022
    Knowledge Translation Specialist, Social Exposome Cluster
  • 2019–2020
    Fellow, Science Communication Training Fellowship, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • 2019–2020
    Specialist - Peer Support, Advocacy and Research Communications, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

Education

  • 2019 
    University of British Columbia, Doctor of Philosophy
  • 2009 
    York University, Master of Science
  • 2007 
    York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Publications

  • 2017
    J Neurosci, Opposing effects of valproic acid treatment mediated by histone deacetylase Inhibitor activity in four transgenic X. laevis models of retinitis pigmentosa.
  • 2012
    Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, mRNA stability as a function of striated muscle oxidative capacity.
  • 2010
    Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, Effect of chronic contractile activity on mRNA stability in skeletal muscle.
  • 2010
    Biochim Biophys Acta, Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle: effects of exercise and aging.
  • 2008
    J Dance Med Sci, Communication between medical practitioners and dancers.

Professional Memberships

  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology