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Dr. Stewart Russell is an Assistant Professor in the Molecular & Medical Sciences of the Department of Health Sciences. He earned his hBSc in Biology from Laurier and completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph. Before returning to Laurier, he served as Senior Director of Translational Reproductive Research at the CReATe Fertility Centre in Toronto, where he led a multidisciplinary team investigating early human development, embryo implantation, and fertility treatments.
Stewart’s research program explores how genetic and epigenetic factors shape embryo viability. His group combines single-cell and bulk multi-omics, advanced imaging, and computational modelling to uncover the molecular pathways that drive successful implantation and early lineage decisions. Current projects range from endometrial assembloid models to digital embryos that simulate developmental perturbations in silico.
Graduate students in Dr. Russell's lab gain hands-on experience with advanced wet-lab techniques (single cell RNA-seq, embryology, live-cell imaging) and data-science pipelines (Unix/Python/R, machine learning). Stewart values collaborative, goal-oriented mentorship and encourages trainees to design projects that align with their interests while contributing to the lab’s broader mission of improving reproductive health.
Nguyen TTN, Kwok H YSS, Zhang C, Russell SJ, Librach CL. Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of human platelet lysate in enhancing endometrial receptivity. Hum Reprod. 2025 Jul 15. Corresponding Author.
Kwok SYS, Haham LM, Russell SJ, Balakier H, Chen S, Viotti M, Madjunkova S, Librach CL. Single-cell transcriptomics of postimplantation embryos: unveiling aneuploidy effects and lineage dynamics. Research Square. Mar 2025. Co-Author.
Russell SJ, Ly M, Peng Q, Xue S, Kostiuk N, Werry N, LaMarre J, Tan SL, Librach CL. CryoMesh provides a platform for reproducible and scalable vitrification of bovine zygotes. PLOS ONE. Under Review, Mar 2025. First Author.
Hamilton M, Russell SJ, Swanson GM, Krawetz SA, Menezes K, Moskovtsev SI, Librach C. A comprehensive analysis of spermatozoal RNA elements in idiopathic infertile males undergoing fertility treatment. Sci Rep 2024;14:10316. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. Corresponding Author.
Russell SJ, Zhao C, Biondic S, Menezes K, Hagemann-Jensen M, Librach CL, Petropoulos S. An atlas of small non-coding RNAs in human preimplantation development. Nat Commun 2024;15:8634. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. Co-first Author.
Werry N, Russell SJ, Sivakumar R, Miller S, Hickey K, Larmer S, Lohuis M, Librach C, LaMarre J. piRNA expression patterns in high vs. low fertility bovine sperm. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2024;70:183–194. Informa UK Limited. Co-Author.
Alizadeh AH, Lively S, Lepage S, Potla P, Russell S, Ali SA, Kapoor M, Koch TG. MicroRNAs as prognostic markers for chondrogenic differentiation potential of equine mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem Cells Dev 2023;32:693–702. Co-Author.
Biondic S, Zhao C, Hagemann-Jensen M, Russell SJ, Vandal K, Canizo J, Librach CL, Petropoulos S. Single-Cell mRNA-sncRNA Co-sequencing of Preimplantation Embryos. Methods Mol Biol [Internet] 2023;Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/7651_2023_487. Co-Author.
Stalker L, Backx AG, Tscherner AK, Russell SJ, Foster RA, LaMarre J. CDNA cloning of feline PIWIL1 and evaluation of expression in the testis of the domestic cat. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24:9346. MDPI AG. Co-Author.
Wyse BA, Salehi R, Russell SJ, Sangaralingam M, Jahangiri S, Tsang BK, Librach CL. Obesity and PCOS radically alters the snRNA composition of follicular fluid extracellular vesicles. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;14:1205385. Co-Author.
Hamilton M, Russell S, Menezes K, Moskovtsev SI, Librach C. Assessing spermatozoal small ribonucleic acids and their relationship to blastocyst development in idiopathic infertile males. Sci Rep 2022a;12:20010. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. Corresponding Author.
Hamilton M, Russell S, Moskovtsev S, Krawetz SA, Librach C. The developmental significance of sperm-borne ribonucleic acids and their potential for use as diagnostic markers for male factor infertility. F S Rev 2022b;3:11–23. Elsevier BV. Corresponding Author.
Nguyen TT-TN, MacDougall M, Kwok YSS, Russell SJ, Librach CL. Human platelet lysates stimulate in vitro proliferation of human endometrial cells from patients with a history of recurrent implantation failure. F S Sci 2022;3:64–73. Corresponding Author.
Russell SJ, Kwok YSS, Nguyen TT-TN, Librach C. Autologous platelet-rich plasma improves the endometrial thickness and live birth rate in patients with recurrent implantation failure and thin endometrium. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022;39:1305–1312. First Author.
Werry N, Russell SJ, Gillis DJ, Miller S, Hickey K, Larmer S, Lohuis M, Librach C, LaMarre J. Characteristics of miRNAs present in bovine sperm and associations with differences in fertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022;13:874371. Frontiers Media SA. Co-Author.
Cuthbert JM, Russell SJ, Polejaeva IA, Meng Q, White KL, Benninghoff AD. Dynamics of small non-coding RNAs in bovine scNT embryos through the maternal-to-embryonic transition. Biol Reprod 2021a;105:918–933. Oxford University Press. Co-Author.
Cuthbert JM, Russell SJ, Polejaeva IA, Meng Q, White KL, Benninghoff AD. Comparing mRNA and sncRNA profiles during the maternal-to-embryonic transition in bovine IVF and scNT embryos. Biol Reprod 2021b;105:1401–1415. Oxford University Press (OUP). Co-Author.
Russell SJ, Menezes K, Balakier H, Librach C. Comprehensive profiling of Small RNAs in human embryo-conditioned culture media by improved sequencing and quantitative PCR methods. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2020;66:129–139. First Author.
Cuthbert JM, Russell SJ, White KL, Benninghoff AD. The maternal-to-zygotic transition in bovine in vitro-fertilized embryos is associated with marked changes in small non-coding RNAs. Biol Reprod. 2019 Feb 1;100(2):331-350. Co-Author.
Russell SJ, LaMarre J. Transposons and the PIWI pathway: genome defense in gametes and embryos. Reproduction 2018;156:R111–R124. First Author.
Russell S, Patel M, Gilchrist G, Stalker L, Gillis D, Rosenkranz D, LaMarre J. Bovine piRNA-like RNAs are associated with both transposable elements and mRNAs. Reproduction 2017b;153:305–318. First Author.
Russell SJ, Stalker L, LaMarre J. PIWIs, piRNAs and Retrotransposons: Complex battles during reprogramming in gametes and early embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2017a;52 Suppl 4:28–38. Wiley Online Library. First Author.
Gaitero L, Russell SJ, Monteith G, LaMarre J. Expression of microRNAs miR-21 and miR-181c in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in canine meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin. Vet J 2016;216:122–124. Elsevier Ltd. Co-Author.
Russell SJ, Stalker L, Gilchrist G, Backx A, Molledo G, Foster RA, LaMarre J. Identification of PIWIL1 Isoforms and Their Expression in Bovine Testes, Oocytes, and Early Embryos. Biol Reprod 2016;94:75. First Author.
Stalker L, Russell SJ, Co C, Foster RA, LaMarre J. PIWIL1 Is Expressed in the Canine Testis, Increases with Sexual Maturity, and Binds Small RNAs. Biol Reprod 2016;94:17. Co-Author.
Contact Info:
Office location: BA547
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.