Meet our Researchers
Dr. Tamara Bodnar joined the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary on July 1, 2023. Dr. Bodnar’s research is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental condition that can occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure. Her work uses a translational approach that includes pre-clinical animal models, examining the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the gut-brain-immune system across the lifespan, and clinical studies examining parallel outcomes in children and adults with FASD. Dr. Bodnar is also a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) and has ongoing partnerships with Indigenous communities aimed at reframing conversations and education around alcohol use and FASD, as well as decreasing stigma. Dr. Bodnar has previously held CIHR funding and currently holds funding from the National Institute of Health and the Azrieli Foundation.
Dr. Tamara Bodnar
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Dr. Tamara Bodnar is a Cree/Métis scholar researching the links between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), mental health challenges, and changes in the gut microbiome among children and youth, particularly within Indigenous communities. Dr. Bodnar emphasizes the need to understand FASD in the context of colonial histories and the persistent health inequities faced by Indigenous Peoples, including the effects of intergenerational trauma, social and economic challenges, and historical disconnection from culture and land. Her work further addresses the significant mental health issues faced by individuals with FASD, where traditional Western mental health frameworks often fall short.