Welcome to the Haqq laboratory!
Welcome to the Haqq laboratory!
Dr. Andrea M. Haqq
Department of Pediatrics
University of Alberta
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Clinical translational research centered on the neuroendocrinology of energy balance in childhood obesity.
Clinical translational research centered on the neuroendocrinology of energy balance in childhood obesity.
The Haqq lab focuses on precision therapy for childhood obesity including the development and implementation of novel obesity medications. The lab is run by Dr. Andrea Haqq. She is a clinician scientist and pediatric endocrinologist who runs a genetic obesity and endocrine clinic serving western Canada, advocating for optimization of health care for children with severe obesity. Her research has two streams: 1) industry-funded clinical trials, and 2) investigator initiated research.
Her lab team currently consists of two postdoctoral fellow, two PhD students, one masters student, three summer research assistants, and a research coordinator (see Our Team for more details). The lab is currently recruiting participants for studies investigating:
1) novel 3D-optical scanning for measurement of body composition in adolescents,
2) impact of metformin and/or fiber supplementation on obesity in adolescents,
3) energy expenditure changes with semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes.
4) addressing caregiver burden for those caring for children with genetic obesity conditions
Check our our Get Involved page for more details.
Announcements!
Announcements!
Candian Nutrition Society Conference 2026
Drs. Haqq and Vieira recently attended the Canadian Nutrition Society Annual Conference in Halifax, NS (May 7-9, 2026). Together with Dr. Catherine Field (session chair), they hosted a symposium on Pediatric Obesity: Interplay Between Genetics, Pharmacotherapy, and Nutrition; it was really well attended and stimulated engaging conversation after the talks.
Flavio presented on PhD Student Giovanna Bergamasco's poster on Low Muscle Mass and Sarcopenia Screening Tools as Potential Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Inpatients with Obesity which was a collaborative project with the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in Brazil. He also co-developed and co-chaired the trainee workshop on knowledge mobilization alongside Dr. Shirin Panahi (University Laval).
This conference was also a great excuse for a little extra vacation time to explore all the beauty Canada has to offer on the East coast (e.g., checking out Peggy's Cove, eating lobster rolls, and exploring the Maritimes with the family).
Obesity Canada Summit 2026
The Haqq Lab team recently attended the Canadian Obesity Summit in Montreal QC (March 25-29, 2026). It was a fantastic event – with lots of new and groundbreaking research in the field of obesity being shared by international clinicians and researchers.
Dr. Haqq had two symposium presentations:
MC4 pathway disorders and syndromic obesity: biology, hyperphagia, and targeted treatment
Three-year setmelanotide outcomes in patients with POMC/LEPR deficiency or BBS and obesity
The team had several presentations and posters as well!
Flavio Vieira: Relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and pediatric obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome
Alice Springer: Inflammation, Glycemic Control, and Adiposity of Adolescents with Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Baseline Findings from the MetFiber Randomized Controlled Trial
Camilla Fonseca: Pediatric obesity risk assessment using anthropometrics and a four-compartment model: preliminary analysis of agreement and discrimination ability
Awards: Dr. Vieira won Best Poster Presentation for Early Career Researchers - congrats!
Conference Highlights: The trainees really enjoyed hearing the perspectives from people living with obesity at the opening ceremonies. Dr. Haqq, in partnership with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, hosted a collaboration dinner with a group of Canadian colleagues. Montreal was stunning!
In the News!
Drs. Haqq and Vieira recently participated in an Interview as part of the 2026 Stollery Corus Radio-a-thon for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.
Our team members are sponsored through local, provincial, and national studentships and fellowships!
Territorial Acknowledgement
Territorial Acknowledgement
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.
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