Joelle Pelletier

Joelle Pelletier is a tenured Professor (Professeure titulaire) at the University of Montreal, holding dual appointments in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (Department of Chemistry) and the Faculty of Medicine (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine). She leads research on enzyme structure-function relationships, focusing on enzyme engineering for biocatalysis, drug discovery, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Her work bridges Bio-Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics, with applications in healthcare and environmental sustainability.

Research & Expertise: Pelletier’s lab employs combinatorial mutagenesis and computational modeling to engineer enzymes for industrial and therapeutic purposes. Key areas include modifying enzymes for biocatalytic applications, studying protein dynamics in drug-resistant enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases, DfrB), and developing portable biosensors for rapid diagnostic testing (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 antibodies). She co-directs PROTEO, a Quebec protein research network, and holds a Canada Research Chair in Applied Protein Engineering.

Funding & Grants: Her projects are supported by CRSNG, FQRNT, and partnerships with industry (e.g., DSM Nutritional Products). Notable grants include accelerating enzyme evolution (2024–2030), GlycoFlow technologies (2022–2026), and portable biosensors for remote healthcare (2024–2026). She leads interdisciplinary teams across chemistry, biology, and engineering.

Education & Students: Pelletier supervises graduate students in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics programs. Her advisees focus on enzyme engineering, drug resistance, and biosensor development. She mentors over 20 PhD and Master’s students since 2006, including recent theses on lipase selectivity, antibiotic inhibitors, and SPR-based diagnostics.

Labs & Collaborations: She is affiliated with the Centre en Chimie Verte et Catalyse (CCVC) and collaborates with teams at the Institut Mérieux and Canadian Space Agency. Her lab develops cutting-edge tools like continuous-flow biocatalysis systems and nanobiosensors for real-time monitoring of biomarkers.