Dr. Friedman is a medical geneticist whose research bridges clinical genetics and more fundamental studies in genetics and genomics. He holds MS and MD degrees from Tulane University, a PhD in genetics from the University of Washington, and fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists, the American Board of Medical Genetics, and the American Association of Pediatrics. His research focuses in three major areas: (1) using advanced genomic technology to identify genetic causes of intellectual disability; (2) using birth defects epidemiology to recognize harmful effects of medications taken by a pregnant woman on her developing embryo or fetus; and (3) characterizing the natural history of neurofibromatosis 1, a clinically variable multi-system autosomal dominant disease. He is a Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia who has university, national, and international awards for teaching and mentorship.