Dr. Ron Carter, BSc, MSc, DVM, PhD, FCCMG (Cyto, Mol), is the Lab Director for LifeLabs Genetics and for LifeLabs International Reference Laboratory (IRL). He joined LifeLabs in 2014. Dr. Carter has helped LifeLabs Genetics deliver innovative, high-quality, customer-centred care by introducing new test technologies and improving patient access.
During his time at LifeLabs, LifeLabs Genetics was launched and became the first lab in Canada to perform noninvasive prenatal molecular screening for fetal trisomies. LifeLabs Genetics has also developed novel tests for molecular pathology, supported the introduction of new companion diagnostic testing for new oncology drugs, developed a comprehensive genetic counselling service, and partnered with other companies to provide access to promising new tests. He is a member of four provincial advisory committees across Ontario and BC and has contributed to academic papers on various subjects including cancer research.
Dr. Carter completed a MSc degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, a PhD from the University of Guelph, and multiple post-doctoral fellowship programs at the University of Toronto including an MRC Research Fellowship at the Banting Institute, and two clinical laboratory training fellowships at the Hospital for Sick Children leading to certification by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
Before joining LifeLabs, Dr. Carter built a career at Hamilton Health Sciences, where he was first appointed in 1990. He advanced to Head of Service for Cytogenetics in 1991 and later served as Discipline Director for Clinical and Laboratory Genetics (2002–2008) and Laboratory Genetic Services (2008–2014). Alongside his hospital leadership roles, Dr. Carter was appointed Assistant Professor at McMaster University in 1991, eventually achieving the rank of Professor in the Dept. of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, before retiring as Emeritus Professor in 2014. He was a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and is a past President of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.