David Wishart

Area of Study / Keywords

Metabolomics Bioinfomatics Exposomics Structural Biology Artificial Intelliegence

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About

I am a Distinguished University Professor in Biological Sciences and Computing Science and a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Metabolomics and Precision Medicine. I am also an adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and an adjunct Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. 

I am a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. The Metis are an Indigenous Canadian community that has its origins from the 1600s when early European settlers married First Nations women and began settlements across Canada that focused on fur trading and farming. The Metis people developed their own distinct language, culture, clothing and music, blending European and First Nations concepts together. My Métis ancestors arrived in southern Alberta in 1885 after fleeing the fallout of the Northwest Rebellion.

As an Indigenous person I have hard to overcome long-standing barriers and negative perceptions faced by Indigenous students and scholars. In doing so, I have learned the value of blending in, and always focusing on the future rather than on past grievances. I have also learned the importance of being a scientific chameleon, transitioning between, and connecting through, multiple scientific disciplines. As a result, I hold the distinction of becoming something of an Indigenous scientific pioneer and achieving a number of Indigenous "firsts" or "seconds". 

In 1983, I became the first Indigenous Canadian to earn a degree in Physics from a Canadian university (the University of Alberta). I subsequently completed my PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University in 1991, becoming only the second Indigenous Canadian to receive a doctorate in any scientific discipline (after Dr. Lillian Eva Dyck). Upon returning to Canada, I began my scientific career as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, where I became Canada’s first Indigenous biochemist. 

I also hold the distinction of being the world’s first Indigenous bioinformatician. While still an undergraduate at the University of Alberta, I began writing my first bioinformatics software programs in 1983.  This was at a time when computational biology was still an emerging specialty and the field of bioinformatics was very much in its infancy. I later founded BioTools Inc. in 1995, Canada’s first bioinformatics company. After establishing BioTools I began to build the national infrastructure needed to train scientists in this rapidly expanding field. This was done through the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops (https://bioinformatics.ca), that I helped launch in 1999, and Canada’s first undergraduate degree program in bioinformatics, which I introduced at the University of Alberta in 2003. Through these efforts, I have helped train more than 6000 Canadian researchers capable of using computational approaches to address complex biological and medical questions.

When I joined University of Alberta as an Assistant Professor in 1995, I became the first Indigenous professor to be appointed to a Faculty of Pharmacy in North America. Throughout my time at the University of Alberta, I have endeavoured to build bridges between different departmental, faculty and institutional structures. My broad scientific interests and trans-disciplinary activities allowed me to become the first Indigenous scientist in Canada to hold faculty positions in the departments of Computing Science, Biological Sciences, and Pathology/Laboratory Medicine. In 2003, I became just the second Indigenous faculty member at the University of Alberta (after Dr. Olive Dickason) to be promoted to the rank of full professor. That same year, I also became the first Indigenous scientist in Canada to hold a full professorship in a Computing Science department. 

As a scientist, I am regarded as a pioneer and key innovator in bioinformatics, metabolomics, and exposomics. My work has transformed how scientists investigate the molecular basis of health, disease, environmental exposure, nutrition, and drug response. In 2005, I launched the Human Metabolome Project (HMP), which was similar in design and objectives as the Human Genome Project (started in 1991) and the Human Microbiome Project (started in 2007). In doing so, I became the first Indigenous person to lead a large-scale, trans-national omics project. The HMP remains the largest and longest-running metabolomics initiative in the world. The project has established the University of Alberta and Canada as a leader in metabolomics and helped define metabolomics as a central component of precision medicine and systems biology.  The HMP also helped advance key knowledge about the 250,000 small molecules that shape human physiology. Through the HMP, I was able to establish Canada's first national metabolomics laboratory -- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre (TMIC), in 2011.  TMIC is one of the world's leading metabolomics centres. Funded as a CFI-MSI facility, TMIC now has 8 research nodes across Canada, employs more than 30 full-time scientists and houses more than $35 million in equipment.

Large-scale projects such as the HMP, TMIC and other  "mega" scientific projects I have initiated or participated in, have led to many interesting an important discoveries. Consequently, over the course of my career I have authored or co-authored nearly 700 peer-reviewed papers, books and book chapters. These cover many topics, ranging from bioinformatics to nanotechnology to cancer diagnosis to structural biology to mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. These papers have been published in a number of high profile journals such as Nature, Nature Reviews, PNAS, Nucleic Acids Research, Analytical Chemistry and others. With more than 166,000 citations and an H-index of 154, I am among the world’s most highly cited Indigenous scientists and one of the most highly cited scientists in Canada.

This productivity and impact has recently been recognized.  In 2017 I had the distinction of becoming the first Indigenous scientist in Canada elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018, I became the first Indigenous faculty member at the University of Alberta to be named a Distinguished University Professor and the first Indigenous scholar in Canada to attain the rank of University Professor, the highest academic distinction awarded by Canadian universities. In 2024 I became the first Indigenous recipient of the NSERC Brockhouse Prize for Interdisciplinary Science. In 2025 and 2026 I received the NSERC Herzberg Gold Medal (Canada’s highest scientific honour), the University Cup (the University of Alberta’s highest award), and the Governor General’s Innovation Award (one of the highest honours awarded by the Governor General of Canada). Collectively, these are the most prestigious honours ever given to an Indigenous scientist in Canada. In large part they recognize how my 35-year academic career has been guided by the Métis principles of blending and sharing knowledge openly, and defined by own desire to strive for interdisciplinary research excellence, educational equality, innovation, and public benefit.

My interests in science are not purely academic.  As an Indigenous person I want to see science shared openly and scientific results benefiting the public (those who pay for it) and the students who develop it.  As a result, over the past 30 years I has founded, co-founded, led, or managed 12 different biotechnology companies, whose combined activities currently employ more than 100 people (including many of my former students) and generate more than $7 million/year in revenues. In addition to starting Canada's first bioinformatics company (BioTools in 1995), I also helped start the world's first Metabolomics company (Chenomx) in 2001 and Canada's first Precision Health company (Molecular You) in 2015. These and other enterprises have translated scientific ideas into practical tools, software, databases, and health-related technologies. As a result, I am regarded as one of the most successful Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada. My translational work has inspired many other Canadian and Indigenous scientists, showing how academic discovery can become an engine for innovation, employment, and social benefit.

Throughout the course of my 35-year academic career, I have been fortunate to have been awarded national and international grants worth >$200 million, the largest sum ever awarded to an Indigenous scientist. My laboratory is equipped with 10 high end mass spectrometers, a dozen LC and GC systems, a 700 MHz NMR spectrometer, an MSD instrument for proteomics, dozens of high-end computers, 3 GPU computers for AI research, pipetting robots, cell culture and organoid growth facilities, 5 different 3D printers, a robotics and engineering lab, synthetic chemistry facilities, a 5000 compound chemical library and artificial gut systems.  This success and these facilities have allowed me to direct resources, bring opportunities and open doors for other Indigenous Canadian students and scholars. For instance, at the University of Alberta, I lead initiatives such as the Indigenous Training Circle in Bioinformatics Training (ITCBT) and support research applying genomics and metabolomics to the study of Indigenously important medicinal plants. I also sponsor the Research Hotel program that brings students from less developed countries, particularly from Latin America, to learn the latest techniques in bioinformatics, metabolomics and exposomics. Through these efforts, I have helped create opportunities for Indigenous students, trainees, and communities to participate directly in the scientific and technological fields shaping the future.

I think that sharing my story is important, not only for aspiring Indigenous students, but for students of all kinds and backgrounds. I try to lead by example and strive towards excellence, while still maintaining the Métis ideals of openness, accommodation and sharing. I strongly believe that Indigenous excellence is not peripheral to Canadian science, but foundational to its future.

BIOIN 301 - Bioinformatics I

Introduction to computational tools and databases used in the collection and analysis of sequence data and other analytical data from high-throughput molecular biology studies. Students will use existing tools, and learn the underlying algorithms and their limitations. Prerequisite: any 200-level Biological Sciences course or consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOIN 301 and BIOL 501.

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BIOIN 401 - Bioinformatics II

Advanced topics in bioinformatics will be covered. A major part of the course will be devoted to team-based projects involving writing novel bioinformatics tools to deal with current problems in bioinformatics. Prerequisites: BIOIN 301, a 300-level CMPUT course and an additional 300-level course in any of the following BIOCH, BIOIN, BIOL, BOT, CELL, ENT, GENET, IMIN, MA SC, MICRB, MMI, NEURO, PALEO, PHYSL, PMCOL, ZOOL. (Offered jointly by the Departments of Computing Science and Biological Sciences). [Biological Sciences].

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BIOL 501 - Applied Bioinformatics

Discussion of computational tools and databases used in the analysis of data from high-throughput molecular biology studies. Students will use existing tools, learn the underlying algorithms and their limitations, and will be required to complete an individual research project. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOIN 301 and BIOL 501.

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Browse more courses taught by David Wishart

Guanshi Zhang, David S. Wishart, Burim N. Ametaj

Dairy. 2026 May; 10.3390/dairy7030039

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Prashanthi Kovur, Krishna M. Kovur, Dorsa Yahya Rayat, David S. Wishart

Biosensors. 2025 September; 10.3390/bios15090589

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Seyed Ali Goldansaz, Dagnachew Hailemariam, Elda Dervishi, Grzegorz Zwierzchowski, Roman Wójcik, David S. Wishart, Burim N. Ametaj

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025 June; 10.3390/ijms26136245

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Lun Zhang, Jiamin Zheng, Rashid A. Bux, Jean-François Haince, Claudia Torres-Calzada, Rupasri Mandal, Andrew Maksymiuk, Guoyu Huang, Paramjit S. Tappia, Philippe Joubert, Christian D. Rolfo, David S. Wishart

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025 May; 10.3390/ijms26104519

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Lun Zhang, Jiamin Zheng, Mathew Johnson, Rupasri Mandal, Meryl Cruz, Miriam Martínez-Huélamo, Cristina Andres-Lacueva, David S. Wishart

Metabolites. 2024 November; 10.3390/metabo14110622

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Clémence Boullier, Fabien C. Lamaze, Jean-François Haince, Rashid Ahmed Bux, Michèle Orain, Jiamin Zheng, Lun Zhang, David S. Wishart, Yohan Bossé, Venkata S. K. Manem, Philippe Joubert

Cancers. 2024 September; 10.3390/cancers16183179

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Amy Thachil, Li Wang, Rupasri Mandal, David Wishart, Tom Blydt-Hansen

Metabolites. 2024 August; 10.3390/metabo14090474

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Tanvir Sajed, Zinat Sayeeda, Brian L. Lee, Mark Berjanskii, Fei Wang, Vasuk Gautam, David S. Wishart

Metabolites. 2024 May; 10.3390/metabo14050290

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Yamilé López-Hernández, Victoria Lima-Rogel, Rupasri Mandal, Jiamin Zheng, Lun Zhang, Eponine Oler, David Alejandro García-López, Claudia Torres-Calzada, Ana Ruth Mejía-Elizondo, Jenna Poelsner, Jesús Adrián López, Ashley Zubkowski, David S. Wishart

Metabolites. 2024 January; 10.3390/metabo14010041

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Klevis Haxhiaj, David S. Wishart, Burim N. Ametaj

Dairy. 2022 October; 10.3390/dairy3040050

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David S. Wishart, Leo L. Cheng, Valérie Copié, Arthur S. Edison, Hamid R. Eghbalnia, Jeffrey C. Hoch, Goncalo J. Gouveia, Wimal Pathmasiri, Robert Powers, Tracey B. Schock, Lloyd W. Sumner, Mario Uchimiya

Metabolites. 2022 July; 10.3390/metabo12080678

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Jiamin Zheng, Mathew Johnson, Rupasri Mandal, David S. Wishart

Metabolites. 2021 May; 10.3390/metabo11050303

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Yamilé López-Hernández, Juan José Oropeza-Valdez, Jorge O. Blanco-Sandate, Ana Sofia Herrera-Van Oostdam, Jiamin Zheng, An Chi Guo, Victoria Lima-Rogel, Rahmatollah Rajabzadeh, Mariana Salgado-Bustamante, Jesus Adrian-Lopez, C. G. Castillo, Emilia Robles Arguelles, Joel Monárrez-Espino, Rupasri Mandal, David S. Wishart

Metabolites. 2020 April; 10.3390/metabo10040165

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Lun Zhang, Jiamin Zheng, Rashid Ahmed, Guoyu Huang, Jennifer Reid, Rupasri Mandal, Andrew Maksymuik, Daniel S. Sitar, Paramjit S. Tappia, Bram Ramjiawan, Philippe Joubert, Alessandro Russo, Christian D. Rolfo, David S. Wishart

Cancers. 2020 March; 10.3390/cancers12030622

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Farhana R. Pinu, David J. Beale, Amy M. Paten, Konstantinos Kouremenos, Sanjay Swarup, Horst J. Schirra, David Wishart

Metabolites. 2019 April; 10.3390/metabo9040076

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Journal of Proteome Research. 2016 January; 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00885

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EBioMedicine. 2015 January; 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.05.022

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Nucleic Acids Research. 2015 January; 10.1093/nar/gku1004

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Metabolomics. 2015 January; 10.1007/s11306-015-0840-5

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Nucleic Acids Research. 2014 January; 10.1093/nar/gku436

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Journal of Biomolecular NMR. 2014 January; 10.1007/s10858-014-9863-x

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Metabolomics. 2014 January; 10.1007/s11306-014-0676-4

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Emwas, A.H., Roy, R., McKay, R.T., Ryan, D., Brennan, L., Tenori, L., Luchinat, C., Gao, X., Zeri, A.C., Gowda, G.A., Raftery, D., Steinbeck, C., Salek, R.M., Wishart, D.S.

Journal of Proteome Research. 15 (2):360-373

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Markley, J.L., Bruschweiler, R., Edison, A.S., Eghbalnia, H.R, Powers, R., Raftery, D., Wishart, D.S.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 43

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Hagel, J.M., Mandal, R., Han, B., Han, J., Dinsmore, D.R., Borchers, C.H., Wishart, D.S., Facchini, P.J.

BMC Plant Biology. 15

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Wishart, D.S.

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 15

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Sajed, T., Marcu, A., Ramirez, M., Pon, A., Guo, A.C., Knox, C., Wilson, M., Grant, J.R., Djoumbou, Y., Wishart, D.S.

Nucleic Acids Research. 44 (D1):D495-D501

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