Jeff Nisker MD PhD FRCSC FCAHS
Jeff is Coordinator of Health Ethics and Humanities and Professor of Obstetrics-Gynaecology and Oncology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario (UWO). His research is transdisciplinary, centering on public engagement for health-policy development, particularly regarding emerging genetic technologies. Similarly, his educational initiatives embrace the humanities and social sciences, such as in his narrative bioethics and health ethics through film courses. Jeff has written many scientific articles and book chapters, as well as six plays and several short stories to explore health issues and encourage compassion in healthcare. His plays have been performed throughout Canada, as well as in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa.
Jeff was co-chair of the Health Canada Advisory Committee on Reproductive and Genetic Technology, and served on the National Council of Ethics in Human Research, and Executive of the Canadian Bioethics Society. Jeff was the Editor of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, and Exec. V.P. (CEO) of the Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Council of Affiliate Societies Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). Recently Jeff served on the CIHR Standing Committee on Ethics, the RCPSC Ethics and Equity Committee, as Scientific Officer on CIHR "Health Ethics, Law and Humanities" Grants Committee, and is Chair of the SOGC Ethics Committee. Jeff also served on the UWO Senate. Jeff is Chair of its Research Ethics Policy Committee, as well as working on the Faculty of Health Sciences’ graduate program committee. Jeff is an international member of the Centre of Literature, Medicine and Biomedical Humanities Advisory Council.
Jeff received his MD and PhD at the University of Toronto, and specialty training at UWO. He was awarded an MRC Fellowship to study the effect of hormones on cancer (University of California and McMaster University). Jeff now holds CIHR grants to investigate public engagement in health policy development and to explore ethical issues related to the concept of “health,” as it applies to embryos; and also other national research grants.
Jeff has received many teaching awards including the first Canadian Association of Medical Educators Award of Merit, the Douglas Bocking Award (presented to the member of faculty who, in the opinion of graduating medical students has made the most outstanding contribution to their education), and the Association of Professors of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada Educator of the Year Award. Jeff has received the SOGC President’s Award for the most significant contribution to obstetrics and gynaecology in Canada, as well as other national awards. Jeff was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ob/Gyns of Ontario (OSOG) and the UWO Senate Faculty Scholar Award. He was chosen by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Peter Gzowski as one of the 13 “Best Minds of Our Time.”
Current Research
2009 - 2014 Co-Principle Investigator and ELS Theme Leader, CIHR Team in the Effects of Brominated Flame Retardants on Reproductive Health: Animal, Human, Ethical, Legal and Social Studies, PI: Cindy Goodyer, CIHR Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH), Funded, 2,495,000 CAD, (347,250 CAD)
2009 - 2014 Co-Principle Investigator and ELS Theme Leader, CIHR Team in Impact of exposure to phthalates, their metabolites and “green” plasticizers on male reproductive health, PI: Bernard Robaire, CIHR Human Development, Child and Youth Health, Funded, 2,492,500 CAD, (339,250 CAD)
2009 - 2015 Co-Principal Investigator, CIHR Training Program in Reproduction, Early Development, and the Impact on Health (REDIH), PI: Jay Baltz, CIHR, Funded, 1,787,598
2008 - 2009 Co-Principal Investigator, Physician billing costs attributable to genetic tests, PI: Paul Adams, Mark Speechley, CIHR Operating Grant: Genetic (Ethics, Law and Society), Funded, 16,904
2008 - 2012 Principal Applicant, Faculty Scholar, The University of Western Ontario, Funded, 14,000
Publications (last 2 years)
Books:
Nisker J., Baylis F., Karpin I., McLeod C., and Mykitiuk R. (Eds). The "Healthy" Embryo: Social, Biomedical, Legal and Philosophical Perspectives. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Book Chapters:
Nisker J. Narrative Ethics in Health Promotion and Care. In J.L. Storch, P. Rodney, R. Starzomski (Eds). Toward a Moral Horizon: Nursing Ethics for Leadership and Practice. Pearson Education Canada; 2 Ed. 2011.
Mykitiuk R, Van Wagner E, Nisker J. The “Affected” Post-PGD Embryo. In: B. Bennett, T Cartey and I Karpin (eds.). Contemporary Perspectives on Health Law and Policy. Sydney Australia: Federation Press.
Mykitiuk R, Nisker J. Social determinants of “health” of embryos. In: Nisker J, Baylis F, Karpin I, McLeod C, Mykitiuk R. (Eds). The “healthy” embryo: Social, biomedical, legal and philosophical perspectives. Cambridge University Press. 2010, pp. 116-135.
Cox S.M. Nisker J. Public understandings of a `healthy´ embryo: A citizen deliberation on preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In: Nisker J. Baylis F. Karpin I. McLeod C. and Mykitiuk R. (Eds). The “Healthy” Embryo: Social, Biomedical, Legal and Philosophical Perspectives. Cambridge University Press, 2010, pp 151-170. Coauthor
Federal Reports:
Nisker J and Speechley KN. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Related Activities in Canada. Prepared for Assisted Human Reproduction Canada. May 2009
Peer-reviewed Journals:
Jeff Nisker
800 Commissioners Rd E. Rm E2-620E
London, ON Canada N6A 5W9
Tel: 519-685-8781
Fax: 519-685-8783
jeff.nisker@lhsc.on.ca