Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Adjunct/Professor and NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering
Related information
Email: tamara.franz-odendaal@msvu.ca
Phone: 902-457-6140
Mailing Address:
Evaristus Building, Room 248,
Mount Saint Vincent University,
166 Bedford HIghway, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3M 2J6
Research Topics:- Skeletal development
- Craniofacial development
- Bone induction
- Neural crest cells
Education
- PDF (Dalhousie University)
- PhD (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
- MSc (Med) (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
- BSc (Med) (Hons) (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Research interests
Dr. Franz-Odendaal’s research interests include the neural crest derived craniofacial skeleton, evolutionary-developmental biology, fish skeletal biology and skeletal anatomy in general. Additionally, she is interested in science education and how curricula could be more inclusive, especially towards women.
Selected publications
- Chang, C and Franz-Odendaal TA. 2014. The Zebrafish Infraorbital Bones: a descriptive study. Zebrafish 11(1):50-6
- Atukorala ADS, Hammer, C., Dufton, M. and Franz-Odendaal TA. 2013. Adaptive Evolution of the Lower Jaw Dentition in Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus). EvoDevo Journal 7;4(1):28
- Jabalee J. Hillier, S. Franz-Odendaal TA. 2013. An investigation of cellular dynamics during the development of intramembranous bones: the scleral ossicles. Journal of Anatomy 223(4):311-20 (cover image)
- Dufton M, Hall BK, Franz-Odendaal TA. 2012. Early lens ablation causes dramatic long term effects on the shape of bones in the craniofacial skeleton of Astyanax mexicanus PLOS One 7 (11): e50308
- Fisher S. Franz-Odendaal TA. 2012. Evolution of the bone gene regulatory network. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development 22:1-8
Selected awards
- NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering, 2011-2017
- Morphological Sciences Award, American Association of Anatomists, 2013
Memberships
- American Association of Anatomists
- Canadian Society of Zoologists
- Society of Developmental Biology
- Society of Craniofacial Development and Genetics
- American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association
Selected service & activity
- Chair, Young Investigators Award Committee, American Association of Anatomists, 2014-2015
- Member, NSERC Discovery Grants, Genes, Cells and Molecules (1501) Evaluation Committee, 2012-2014
- Chair, Comparative Morphology Division of Canadian Society of Zoologists, 2013
- Member, CCWESTT (Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering Science Trades and Technology) Steering Committee, 2011-2012