Jason J. LeBlanc

Jason J. LeBlanc is a Professor in the Department of Pathology within Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine and serves as Director of Virology, Immunology, and Molecular Microbiology at Nova Scotia Health's Division of Microbiology. His dual clinical-research role bridges diagnostic laboratory operations with academic investigations, focusing on public health microbiology and pathogen surveillance.

His educational foundation includes a BSc in Health Sciences, MSc in Biochemistry, and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. This training underpins his expertise in molecular pathogenesis and clinical diagnostics developed during outbreak responses including mumps and influenza.

LeBlanc's research centers on molecular diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, and molecular pathogenesis with emphasis on vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases. His work targets SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, and pneumococcus through development of rapid diagnostic tools, serotyping methods, and molecular surveillance systems that directly inform healthcare policy and vaccine recommendations.

His publication trends reveal two dominant research streams: pandemic response (particularly COVID-19 diagnostic innovation including swab alternatives, sample pooling, and molecular assay validation) and long-term vaccine impact studies (pneumococcal serotype epidemiology, influenza surveillance, and respiratory virus burden assessment through the CIRN SOS Network).

His scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Canadian College of Microbiologists (FCCM)
• Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM)

LeBlanc leads Nova Scotia's provincial SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics laboratory and directs reference testing for the Canadian Immunization Research Network's Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network. His grant-funded work involves collaborations with PHAC's National Microbiology Laboratory, WHO, and industry partners on emerging pathogens including Ebola, enterovirus D68, and novel influenza strains.

His laboratory infrastructure supports both clinical diagnostics and research through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Respiratory Virus Working Group (which he co-chairs) and partnerships with the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network, enabling rapid response to outbreaks and development of national testing guidelines.