معرفی
Marc Hébert is a Full Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology at Laval University's Faculty of Medicine, where he directs the Visual Electrophysiology and Photobiology Laboratory and serves as Deputy Scientific Director of Clinical Research at the CERVO Brain Research Center. His work bridges ophthalmology, neuroscience, and mental health through innovative light-based research.
Dr. Hébert holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Montreal, followed by postdoctoral training at Rush Presbyterian St-Luke’s Medical Centre in Chicago and the University of Alberta. His research centers on chronobiology and photobiology, investigating how light influences mood, sleep, and circadian rhythms. He pioneered light therapy applications for seasonal affective disorder and developed interventions to improve vigilance in night workers. His groundbreaking work on retinal biomarkers for psychiatric illnesses has revealed distinct electroretinographic patterns in depression and schizophrenia.
Analysis of his recent publications shows a dominant focus on translating electroretinography and pupillometry into clinical diagnostics for Parkinson's disease and mood disorders, while expanding into architectural photobiology with northern lighting applications. His work consistently targets practical health solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Key recognitions include:
- Senior research scholar career award from FRSQ (2010-2014)
- Named one of Quebec City's 19 most fascinating personalities by Scope Magazine (2008)
As an advisor, Dr. Hébert supervises Valérie Gagné (Master's), Marc-André Dubois (PhD), and Victoria Soto Linan (PhD), while securing significant funding through Quebec's InnovExport Fund for his spin-off Chronophotonix. His research has generated extensive media coverage and led to two commercial ventures: Chronophotonix for occupational safety lighting and diaMentis for psychiatric diagnostics.
The Visual Electrophysiology and Photobiology Laboratory operates seven cutting-edge platforms for human and animal electrophysiology, collaborating with the CERVO Research Center on projects ranging from night worker adaptation to retinal biomarker validation. Current initiatives include refining Parkinson's diagnostic protocols and developing personalized light interventions for mental health.
