Andrew Hagner, Ph.D.

• Developed scalable bead and cell-based assays for iPSC-derived, T-cell differentiation (with in-process analysis), high-throughput and multi-factorial cell screening designs, and automated flow cytometry assays. • Developed new high-throughput tools and solutions by collaborating with process development, manufacturing, and translational groups to meet strategic objectives, resulting in processes to add functionality and develop products, while increasing efficiency, reproducibility, cost savings, and productivity. • Established and implemented automation strategy through cross-team collaboration, project prioritization, resource and risk analyses, programming and process development, end-user training and safety, and support. • Anticipated future technical needs by interfacing with Notch partners, conducting market research, developing proposals, project planning, and driving projects to implement solutions.

I am formerly a postdoctoral research fellow working with Peter Zandstra at the University of British Columbia. There I applied automation and computational approaches to understand and control stem cell behavior, which is key to expanding and differentiating human umbilical cord hematopoietic stem cells for clinical use.

My previous work (PhD) work under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Biernaskie: “Gene expression profiling within the dermal stem cell lineage.” My early work in the lab investigated hair follicle mesenchymal cell kinetics and in vivo contribution to de novo hair follicles. This led to the discovery and preliminary characterization of a self-renewing hair follicle dermal stem cell (hfDSC) (Rahmani et al., 2014). HfDSCs function to populate both mesenchymal compartments within the hair follicle: the inductive dermal papilla (DP) and connective tissue sheath (CTS). I developed a novel FACS strategy to isolate hfDSCs and their differentiated progeny (DP and CTS) from hair follicles undergoing regeneration, and performed RNA-seq to identify gene expression signatures for each population of the lineage. My analysis of the RNA-seq data yielded differentially-expressed candidate genes that were validated using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Application of certain candidate gene agonists to mouse back skin during hair follicle resting phase resulted in robust induction of hair follicle regeneration in mice. Ongoing work involves characterizing specific candidates in vitro (siRNA, small molecular screens) and in vivo (inducible knockout mice, transplantation).

• Developing policies and overseeing University policies that promote and protect the health and safety of UCVM DVM and graduate students, faculty, staff, and other UCVM program participants. • Receiving, discussing, and recommending solutions to concerns and recommendations identified by UCVM’s Safety Improvement Teams • Acting as a resource for health and safety issues or concerns. • Promoting health and safety awareness. • Liaising with those Faculty of Medicine Safety Improvement Teams that oversee UCVM faculty and staff based at the Foothill campus.

Biernaskie Lab Dept of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Room HM222 University of Calgary, 3300 Hospital Drive NW Calgary, AB Canada T2N 4N1 lab | 403.210.7077 ahagner@ucalgary.ca

StemCellTalks is an outreach program designed for high school biology students, to introduce them to the therapeutic potential and practical ethics of stem cells through dynamic presentations and discussions led by leading experts in the field.

Responding to personal or regional disasters, providing aid to affected individuals and families (Disaster Relief); planning and carrying out improvements to the Calgary Red Cross (Ops). • Trained in Basic Operations, Abuse Prevention, Supervising Disaster Workers, Supervising Support & Direct Services at Shelters and Reception Centres, Disaster Worker Self-care and as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver. Volunteered as part of the Haiti earthquake response. • Recently deployed to assist with Northern Alberta Fires as Deputy Ops and on site in Slave Lake.