ACHRI Directors

ACHRI Directors

Dr. François Bernier, MD

Dr. François Bernier, MD

Acting Director

Dr. François Bernier, MD is a professor in the departments of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics. His research is focused on the identification of genes for rare genetic disorders and the translation of genomic technologies to the clinic. The unifying theme is to explore the origins of human rare diseases and birth defects to improve health outcomes. His role at ACHRI is focused on advancing precision health across research programs and ending the diagnostic odyssey for children and families.

Dr. Benedikt Hallgrímsson, PhD

Deputy Director

Dr. Benedikt Hallgrímsson, PhD is a professor and head of the Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, and an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hallgrimsson works on the developmental genetics of complex traits. He integrates 3D imaging and morphometry with genetics and developmental biology. He was awarded the Rohlf Medal for Excellence in Morphometrics in 2015 and elected fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2018. Funded by CIHR, NIH and NSERC, he has published over 130 journal articles, 31 chapters, three edited volumes, and a textbook.

Joanne Weninger, BSc, MBA

Joanne Weninger, BSc, MBA

Executive Director

Joanne Weninger, BSc, MBA is the Executive Director of ACHRI and One Child Every Child (OCEC). Joanne spent 8 years as the Chief Operating Officer at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, collaborating with ACHRI to transform impacts through strategic research investments by the donor community. In her role as ACHRI ED, she will support the strategic priorities of ACHRI, the implementation of OCEC and nurture all internal and external partnerships. Her work will focus on the success of all maternal and child health and wellness research across ACHRI, OCEC and beyond. 

Dr. Michael Esser, MD

Dr. Michael Esser, MD

Scientific Director, Clinical Research

Dr. Michael Esser, MD is a clinical professor in Paediatrics, a member of ACHRI and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and director of the Paediatric Neuro Critical Care and Translational Research Program at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Dr. Esser’s research strives to better understand paediatric brain injury and the factors affecting selective cellular vulnerability to injury in children. Dr. Esser’s focus in his ACHRI role is to enhance collaboration between clinicians and all child health and wellness researchers.

Dr. Deborah Marshall, PhD

Dr. Deborah Marshall, PhD

Scientific Director, Research and Partnership Evaluation and Impact

Dr. Deborah Marshall, PhD is a professor and Arthur J.E. Child Chair in the departments of Community Health Sciences and Medicine. Her research focuses on assessing the value of health care applying health economics, patient-oriented research and precision health to improve outcomes for patients and their families. She also serves as the lead for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Health System Impact Fellowship National Cohort Training program. She is helping ACHRI design and implement a broad and inclusive evaluation framework for research to improve child health and wellness and accelerate our impact for patients and families and our communities.

Dr. Bukola Salami

Dr. Bukola Salami, PhD

Scientific Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Dr. Bukola Salami, PhD's research program seeks to address the health needs of Black and racialized populations in Canada. She has been involved in over 85 funded studies. She has lead research projects on African immigrant child health, access to healthcare for immigrant children, Black youth mental health, health of internally displaced children, culturally appropriate practices to research with Black Canadians, and parenting practices of African immigrants. She founded and leads an African Child and Youth Migration Network, a network of 42 scholars from 4 continents.

Education Director, Clinical Research

Dr. Jay Riva-Cambrin, MD is a Principal Investigator within the HCRN or Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network where we design and conduct clinical epidemiology studies with the goal of improving the lives of children living with hydrocephalus.

Director, Education and Training

Dr. Elizabeth Oddone Paolucci, PhD, an applied health professions education scholar with expertise in Educational Psychology, adopts a mixed-methods and interdisciplinary approach, integrating both a social and medical sciences lens into her research program. Dr. Oddone Paolucci’s research encompasses the measurement, assessment, and evaluation of learners, educators, and programs, as well as competency development, curriculum design, and professional mentorship.

Biomedical Lab Director

Dr. Wendy Dean, PhD is a professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Her research into mammalian developmental biology, developmental epigenetics, and reproduction provides fundamental discoveries to better understand and ultimately prevent pregnancy complications including pre-term birth. Dr. Dean's role at ACHRI is to oversee ACHRI infrastructure and core facilities as Director of Biomedical Laboratories supporting Child Health and Wellness researchers.