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