Margot I. Van Allen

Overview: I study birth defects, their causes, the natural history of the disorders, and how to prevent them. Based on clinical studies and practice experience I develop guidelines for practice management for treatment and prevention of birth defects and multiple congenital anomaly disorders (also called syndromes).
Research: Current projects
I am evaluating the impact of folic acid food fortification and tablet supplementation on the prevention of neural tube defects in BC and, in collaboration with others, in Canada.

I am collaborating with my colleagues providing clinical patient material for molecular and cytogenetic studies.

Honours & Awards

Fulbright Scholar, Council of International Exchange of Scholars, USA –1995-96

Stories See all

Congratulations to the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 was awarded to Dr. Mary E. Brunkow, Dr. Fred Ramsdell, and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. BCCHR's Dr. Megan Levings reflects on the significance of this area of research and how these immune cells could develop treatments for numerous diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, organ rejection, and more.

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A new dawn for Childhood CNS tumours: Q&A with Dr. Sylvia Cheng

For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we sat down to talk to Dr. Cheng about her work and what the future looks like for children with central nervous system tumours.

Continue reading A new dawn for Childhood CNS tumours: Q&A with Dr. Sylvia Cheng

When it comes to health, the gut has skin in the game

Dr. Bruce Vallance’s team has been working to better understand the role that the gut microbiome plays in maintaining intestinal health and how it impacts disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). What they’ve found is that the composition of bacteria in the gut plays a key role, not just in gut health, but in many different diseases and other parts of the body like the skin.

Continue reading When it comes to health, the gut has skin in the game

BCCHR laboratories hosting Indigenous students for seed2STEM program

For the first time, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) is participating as one of the host institutes in the seed2STEM program — a research summer program that aims to increase participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among Indigenous youth.

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Understanding the risk of post-traumatic stress in pediatric solid organ transplant patients

Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage organ failure. However, many young patients face traumatic medical challenges along the way, including invasive diagnostic tests and procedures, life-threatening illnesses, and time in intensive care.

Continue reading Understanding the risk of post-traumatic stress in pediatric solid organ transplant patients

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