A former Brock professor who is a pioneer in mouse genetics research returns to campus Friday, March 15 to host a seminar on stem cells and mammalian development.

Janet Rossant, who taught in the Department of Biological Sciences at Brock from 1977 to 1985, will present “Stem Cells and Mammalian Deveopment” at 2 p.m. in AS 216.

Rossant is a senior scientist in the developmental and stem cell biology program and chief of research at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, as well as deputy scientific director of the Canadian Stem Cell Network. She is also a professor in the departments of molecular genetics, obstetrics/gynaecology and paediatrics at University of Toronto.

Rossant’s science.ca profile notes that her “work has major influences in developmental biology, stem cells, and cell lineage. Her major findings are related to the question of how genetically identical cells adopt distinct characteristics during embryo development.

“This question is paramount for those who seek understanding of numerous diseases, caused by abnormal development process. This work will influence studies not only of birth defects but even of genetic predisposition to various diseases such as cancer.”

Her seminar is presented by Brock’s Department of Biological Sciences.