My work focuses on two inter-related areas of developmental neurobiology: 1) pattern formation within the developing central nervous system of the vertebrate embryo and 2) the ontogeny of distinct neuronal systems. More specifically, I am interested in defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in setting up positional information along the rostral-caudal and medial-lateral axis within developing mes/metencephalic derivatives. In addition, I have recently begun to investigate the molecular cues involved in the differentiation of specific neuronal cell types and establishment of neuronal circuitry within the developing cranial sensory system. I use the chick embryo as a model system in which to explore both of these issues and utilize a multidisciplinary approach which combines techniques in molecular biology, electroporation and retroviral-mediated gene transfer, microsurgery, cell and tissue culture, anterograde labelling, as well as immunohistochemistry.

Dr. Schryvers is currently a professor in the Departments of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and director of the O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta in 1981 and graduated with an MD from the University of Calgary in 1984. Dr. Schryvers has been involved in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program since its inception in 2005, responsible for overseeing the laboratory facilities and serving as associate director of the program for two years.