Jean-François Bouchard is a Professor at the School of Optometry , University of Montreal , where he serves as Director. His research focuses on the role of endocannabinoids in synaptogenesis and visual system plasticity, with applications to neurodegenerative diseases and retinal disorders. Education : B.Pharm. (1994) and Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Pharmacology (2000) from University of Montreal; Postdoctoral fellowship at Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University (2004). Research interests include: Mechanisms of synaptogenesis in the central nervous system Endocannabinoid system in retinal and visual brain function Development of therapeutic agents for congenital/traumatic neurological damage 3D imaging platforms for visual system analysis Impact of cannabis exposure on neurodevelopment Advising and grants : Supervised 18 graduate theses (2009–2024) in areas like GPR55 receptor function, retinal degeneration, and intraocular drug delivery Principal investigator for major grants from CIHR , NSERC , FQRNT , and Stem Cell Network (2005–2027), including projects on: GPR91/99 roles in CNS development (2020–2027) Delta9-THC effects on fetal neurodevelopment (2022–2026) Photoreceptor transplantation for retinal diseases (2020–2022) Labs and teams : Executive Director of GRSV (Vision Research Group) Director of Laboratoire Neuropharmacologie Member of interdisciplinary networks: CIRCA , RRSV , SNC , and GRUM
Przemyslaw (Mike) Sapieha is a Full Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, and also holds an accredited professorship in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He serves as the Canada Research Chair in Retinal Cell Biology (Tier 1) and is the Scientific Director of SemaThera Inc in Montreal and Chief Scientific Officer of UNITY Biotechnology in San Francisco. His research is conducted primarily through the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, where he leads a team focused on vision health research. Dr. Sapieha completed his PhD at the University of Montreal in 2006, followed by postdoctoral training at McGill University and Harvard Medical School. His research expertise spans retinal biology, angiogenesis, central nervous system aging, and the molecular mechanisms linking obesity, infections, and eye diseases. His laboratory investigates the role of beneficial and destructive inflammation during aging and develops novel therapeutic approaches for age-related eye diseases. Analysis of Dr. Sapieha's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cellular senescence, neuroinflammation, and the immune-metabolic crosstalk in retinal diseases. His work has increasingly examined how early-life events like infections and obesity can reprogram the immune system and impact eye health later in life. His research bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications, with several findings moving toward clinical trials. Effervescence Star Award (2024) William W. Dawson Memorial Keynote Lecture (2024) Canada Research Chair in Retinal Cell Biology (Tier 1) (2021) Elected member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Cogan Award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2019) Dr. Sapieha actively supervises graduate students and has secured substantial research funding from multiple sources including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BrightFocus Foundation, and Diabetes Canada. His laboratory is part of the Vision Health Research Network and the Vision Science Research Group. The Sapieha lab maintains strong industry collaborations, particularly through his leadership roles at SemaThera and UNITY Biotechnology, facilitating the translation of basic research findings into potential therapeutics for retinal diseases.
Dr. Heather Gretton serves as the Director of Psychology Research at Burman University, focusing on bridging clinical practice and research. She holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia (1998) and maintains registration as a psychologist in British Columbia. Her work emphasizes forensic psychology, youth mental health, and psychotherapy outcomes. Dr. Gretton collaborates internationally through the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Institute’s research network, studying therapeutic efficacy across multiple countries. Her research integrates community-based programs with academic rigor, particularly examining treatment outcomes for youth in forensic contexts. Key Research Focus: AEDP effectiveness, forensic mental health, transdiagnostic approaches Collaborations: Practice research networks spanning Canada, US, Israel, Japan, Sweden Scale Development: Co-developed the Moments of Flourishing Experiences Scale Her publications span 35 years, addressing topics from juvenile justice system interventions to neurobiological studies. No formal grant or award information is provided in the text.
Maria Vanore is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montréal, specializing in veterinary ophthalmology and animal welfare. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Montréal (2021) and a Doctorat d'Exercice Vétérinaire from the University of Naples Federico II (1999). She is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) and has extensive clinical and academic experience in ophthalmology across multiple countries. Her research focuses on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for corneal and retinal imaging in animals, alongside studies on animal pain assessment and welfare. Vanore’s expertise includes veterinary medical imaging, ophthalmic surgery, and laser therapy. She is affiliated with the Centre d’expertise et de recherche clinique en santé et bien être animal (CERCL) and contributes to advancing diagnostic techniques in veterinary medicine. Her work bridges clinical practice with research, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to animal health challenges. Her publications span veterinary ophthalmology, migration health impacts, and animal welfare, reflecting interdisciplinary interests. She actively participates in academic networks and collaborates internationally on projects related to animal eye care and biomedical imaging techniques.
Martin Parent is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine, Laval University. His research focuses on neural circuits within the basal ganglia and their alterations in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Based at the CERVO Brain Research Centre, he leads a research team that utilizes both animal models and post-mortem human brain tissue to understand neurodegenerative processes and develop potential treatments, with particular emphasis on deep brain stimulation and L-Dopa therapy mechanisms. Dr. Parent's research interests center around the anatomical and functional organization of the basal ganglia in rodents, humans, and non-human primates. His team investigates alterations in neuronal circuits that occur in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea, employing a wide array of methodological approaches including in vivo electrophysiological recordings, tracer injections, three-dimensional neuron reconstructions, electron microscopy, neurotransmitter localization, and analysis of post-mortem human brain tissue. A key focus of his work is understanding how the brain adapts to the loss of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease, which explains the onset of dyskinesias following L-Dopa treatment. His research has highlighted the remarkable adaptability of the brain in response to neurodegeneration. Analysis of Dr. Parent's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on developing and applying advanced imaging techniques for deep brain stimulation surgery and neurodegenerative disease research. His work spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, medical imaging, and biomedical engineering, with particular emphasis on Parkinson's disease mechanisms and treatments. Key trends include the application of optical imaging techniques (polarimetric imaging, Raman spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography) for brain tissue identification during neurosurgery, investigation of serotonin and other neurotransmitter systems in parkinsonian models, and exploration of neuroplasticity and cellular stress responses in neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Parent leads the Parent Lab (http://www.parentlab.ca/), which maintains a strong collaborative network with researchers specializing in optical imaging, neurosurgery, and neurodegenerative diseases. His lab works closely with the CERVO Brain Research Centre's brain bank, an exceptional resource for studying post-mortem human brain tissue from individuals who suffered from neurodegenerative diseases. The lab's interdisciplinary approach combines expertise in neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, molecular biology, and advanced imaging techniques to address fundamental questions about basal ganglia function and dysfunction, with direct applications to improving neurosurgical procedures and developing better treatments for movement disorders.
Melina Agosto is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on retinal synapse biology, specifically proteins involved in synapse formation and function. She holds a BS from MIT, a PhD from Harvard, and postdoctoral training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Education: BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology PhD, Harvard University Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston Children’s Hospital Postdoctoral Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine Research interests include: Retinal neuron signaling Membrane protein trafficking Glutamate receptor function Protein-protein interactions in synapses Her work employs biochemical experiments and in vivo models to study synaptic development and dysfunction. Key research themes from recent articles include: Role of mGluR6 glycosylation in trans-synaptic interactions Cryo-EM analysis of photoreceptor ciliary structures Super-resolution microscopy of rhodopsin trafficking Vps34 kinase regulation in retinal cells Her studies bridge biochemistry, structural biology, and neurobiology to advance understanding of retinal disease mechanisms.
Robert Bergevin is a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at Laval University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, where he has been employed since 1990 and achieved full professor status in 2001. He is also a member of CeRVIM (Research Center in Robotics, Vision and Machine Intelligence) and actively participates in graduate recruitment. Dr. Bergevin's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from McGill University (1985-1990), with thesis titled "Primal Access Recognition of Visual Objects" under Professor Martin D. Levine M.Sc.A. in Biomedical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal (1982-1984), with thesis on "Modeling and numerical simulation of a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system" under Professor Robert Guardo B.Sc.A. in Electrical Engineering (Communications specialty) from École Polytechnique de Montréal (1978-1982) Professor Bergevin's research spans cognitive computer vision, pattern recognition, and information systems design methodologies. His work is guided by a unique methodology that progresses "from the general to the particular" to achieve "simply communicable and universally applicable understanding." He has been a researcher in cognitive computer vision since 1985, with particular focus on ontology, methodology, and categorization. His research interests include Ontology of Cognitive Digital Vision, Cognitive Digital Vision Development Methodology, Categorization in cognitive digital vision, Analysis and understanding of images and videos, and Understandable artificial intelligence. As a generalist, he is also a proponent of the science of global anticipatory design (R. Buckminster Fuller) and general semantics (Alfred Korzybski). Analysis of Professor Bergevin's recent publications reveals a strong focus on video anomaly detection, carried object detection, and human activity recognition. His work consistently applies cognitive principles to computer vision problems, often developing novel methodologies for segmentation, tracking, and recognition. The research shows progression from foundational work on image analysis to more complex spatio-temporal understanding of video content, with increasing integration of deep learning techniques in recent years while maintaining a focus on interpretable and cognitively-inspired approaches. Among his professional recognitions: Teaching Star, Faculty of Science and Engineering (2019, 2012) Professor Bergevin has supervised numerous graduate students throughout his career, including four PhD candidates and four Master's students in recent years. His current research includes the "Cyber-physical systems and materialized machine intelligence" project funded by Université Laval, École de technologie supérieure, and Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature and technologies, running from 2019 to 2026. He was also the director of the bachelor's program in computer engineering from 2001 to 2010 and served as Area Editor for the journal Computer Vision and Image Understanding from 2002 to 2017. As a member of CeRVIM (Research Center in Robotics, Vision and Machine Intelligence), Professor Bergevin collaborates with researchers across multiple disciplines to advance the fields of robotics, computer vision, and machine intelligence. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in the analysis of human activities and object recognition in complex visual scenes.
Nicolas Berthelot is a full professor in mental health at the Department of Nursing of Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR). Holding the Canada Research Chair on Developmental Trauma, he is also a clinical psychologist working with adolescents and adults. His affiliations include being a regular researcher at the Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), a regular researcher at the Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), and an associate researcher at the Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec (CRIUSMQ). Research Focus: Developmental mechanisms of risk, resilience, and psychopathology in childhood trauma Intergenerational impacts of child maltreatment Personalized clinical interventions for survivors of child abuse or neglect Prevention of psychological and physical health problems in trauma survivors Neurobiological endophenotypes for psychiatric disorders Publication Trends (2024): Berthelot's recent work explores cannabis effects on parental trauma, trauma resolution mechanisms, mentalization-based interventions during pregnancy, and neurobiological markers in schizophrenia risk. His research spans clinical psychology, developmental neuroscience, and public health, with a focus on intergenerational transmission and maternal mental health. Scientific Awards: UQTR's Prix Relève Scientifique (2019) Réseau des Universités du Québec's Prix d'excellence de la relève (2018) Grants & Collaborations: In 2017, he received a $940,832 grant from the Canada Public Health Agency for a project supporting parents with childhood trauma. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including researchers from Cervo research centre, CEIDEF, GRIN, and CRIUSMQ. Labs & Teams: Leads the STEPPROJECT lab (www.stepproject.ca), focusing on developmental trauma research. Works with teams at CEIDEF, GRIN, and CRIUSMQ to translate findings into clinical practices for trauma survivors.
Leonid S. Brown is a full Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Guelph and serves as Associate Dean (Research & Graduate Studies) for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on light-activated membrane proteins important in bioenergetics and vision, particularly microbial rhodopsins. Dr. Brown obtained his PhD in Biology (Biophysics) from Moscow State University in 1991 and joined the University of Guelph in 2002. His work combines modern biophysics with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques to study retinal-binding proteins. His research primarily investigates three major areas: exploring novel microbial rhodopsins for bioenergetics and sensory transduction; studying protein-lipid interactions and folding using NMR spectroscopy; and developing methods for structural characterization of medically important membrane proteins. His recent publications show a strong focus on channelrhodopsins for optogenetics applications, membrane protein structure determination using advanced NMR techniques, and the molecular mechanisms of proton and ion transport in various rhodopsin families. Premier's Research Excellence Award (2003) Research Innovation Award (2003) Member of Editorial Board of the Biophysical Journal (2009-2015) DAAD and Ontario-Baden-Württemberg scholarships (2016) Visiting Professorships at Nagoya Institute of Technology (2015) and Sogang University (2009) Dr. Brown leads the Photobiophysics Group and collaborates extensively with researchers worldwide. His laboratory utilizes advanced instrumentation including high-end time-resolved vacuum infrared spectrometers, Raman/FTIR combination spectrometers, and time-resolved visible range laser spectrometers. The group specializes in membrane protein expression, isotope labeling, purification, lipid reconstitution, and spectroscopic characterization of biomolecules. His research has received international recognition, particularly for discovering the first eukaryotic rhodopsin that functions as a light-driven transmembrane proton pump.
Rémy Allard is an Assistant Professor at the School of Optometry, University of Montréal, specializing in psychophysics of vision. His research examines aging effects on visual perception, particularly motion perception mechanisms and clinical test development for retinal function assessment. With interdisciplinary training spanning computer science, mathematics, and vision sciences, he develops psychophysical tests to study contrast sensitivity and motion perception in aging, resulting in patented diagnostic tools. His research interests focus on psychophysical modeling of aging effects on photoreceptor function, neural noise in visual processing, and clinical test development for early detection of retinal pathologies like age-related macular degeneration. Current projects include developing functional clinical tests to evaluate photoreceptor efficiency and studying motion processing systems. Dr. Allard maintains research affiliations with CRIR, RRSV, and CIRCA. His recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on visual psychophysics, photoreceptor function in aging, and motion perception mechanisms. Research trends show increasing focus on clinical applications and diagnostic tools for retinal diseases. He teaches courses including Psychophysics of Vision, Methodology and Applied Statistics. His research has been supported by multiple grants from Canadian research councils focusing on motion perception systems, visual attention in 3D spaces, and early detection of retinal pathologies.
Mohamed Shehata is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics at the University of British Columbia's Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science. He holds an adjunct professorship at Memorial University of Newfoundland's Computer Engineering Department. His research focuses on computer vision, biomedical applications, and intelligent camera systems. He earned his B.Sc. (Zagazig University), M.Sc. (Zagazig University), Ph.D. (University of Calgary), and P.Eng. licensure. Previously, he worked at Intelliview Technologies Inc. as Vice President of Engineering and Research. He has held roles as an assistant and associate professor at Memorial University before joining UBC in 2019. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering and has contributed to over 70 peer-reviewed publications. His work spans video surveillance systems, domain generalization, and medical imaging applications. Education: B.Sc. (Honors), Zagazig University M.Sc., Computer Engineering, Zagazig University Ph.D., University of Calgary Research Interests: He explores cutting-edge topics like federated learning for domain adaptation, biomedical image analysis, and lightweight neural networks for embedded systems. His recent work emphasizes cross-domain generalization and few-shot learning for medical diagnostics and object tracking. Professional Contributions: Dr. Shehata has supervised graduate students and led projects in computer vision applications. His publications bridge theoretical advancements with practical systems like drone-based surveillance and IoT healthcare devices. He actively contributes to IEEE committees and academic journal editing.
Bruno Larrivee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Montreal and leads the Developmental and Pathological Angiogenesis Research Unit. His work focuses on identifying novel signaling pathways, particularly in the BMP and Notch families, that regulate blood vessel formation and integrity in ocular diseases and cancer. Affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal Research Units: CRHMR (Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center), Montreal Diabetes Research Center Projects: Targeting VEGF-independent pathways for ocular therapeutics, Vascular normalization in tumors, Mechanisms of ALK1/Notch crosstalk Research Focus: Dr. Larrivee investigates angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy and AMD, aiming to develop safer inhibitors than VEGF-targeting therapies. His lab also explores tumor vascular normalization to enhance chemotherapy and immunotherapy efficacy, with key work on BMP9/ALK1 pathway regulation of endothelial quiescence. Publication Trends: Recent studies emphasize TGF-β and BMP signaling in ocular pathologies, tumor vascular normalization, and mechanotransduction in hereditary vascular diseases. Collaborative projects span diabetes, cancer, and retinal degeneration, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches. Scientific Awards: Louise Rousselle Trottier Award (2016) New Investigator Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation (2014) Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association (2013) Grants: Funded by CIHR, NSERC, and foundations like Mitacs and the Foundation Fighting Blindness, with projects on AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and tumor angiogenesis. Collaborations include teams at Yale, the College of France, and INSERM. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with CRHMR and the Montreal Diabetes Research Center, working alongside students and researchers like Naoufal Akla, Natalija Popovic, and Cindy Lora Gil. His lab integrates computational methods (e.g., machine learning) for vascular analysis.
Dr. Li-Fang Chu serves as an Assistant Professor (Teaching & Research) in the Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Cellular Reprogramming and maintains significant affiliations with the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) as a Child Health & Wellness Researcher and with the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health as an Associate Member. Dr. Chu leads the Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine Research Group and directs the Chu Lab, which focuses on fundamental questions in developmental biology. Dr. Chu received his BSc from National Taiwan University followed by a PhD in cell and molecular biology from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed postdoctoral training with Dr. James Thomson at the Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he developed expertise in stem cell biology and developmental timing. He joined the University of Calgary in August 2020. Dr. Chu's research program centers on understanding the principles governing temporal and spatial patterning in development and disease. His lab is particularly interested in the developmental clock - investigating why different species have vastly different gestation periods and how genes regulate the tempo of embryonic development. The Chu Lab developed an in vitro segmentation clock model derived from human embryonic stem cells, which recapitulates species-specific gene oscillatory periodicity. This innovative system allows researchers to study how the developmental clock operates and how its misregulation causes congenital vertebral malformations. Analysis of Dr. Chu's publication record reveals a consistent focus on developmental timing mechanisms, cellular reprogramming, and stem cell-based disease modeling. His work bridges fundamental developmental biology with potential clinical applications in regenerative medicine. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in methodology, incorporating advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics, real-time live-cell imaging, and 3D organoid systems to address complex questions in developmental biology. Dr. Chu's scientific recognition includes: Tier II Canada Research Chair in Cellular Reprogramming (CIHR, 2021) Dr. Chu teaches several courses including VETM 422 Virology, VETM 702 Advanced Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, VETM 324 Genetics and Molecular Biology, and MDSC 609.02 Genes and Development. His research has attracted significant attention, with multiple news features highlighting his work on pig-human genetic relationships, pig retinal cells for eye treatments, reindeer antlers and human limb regeneration, and the observation of the human developmental clock. The Chu Lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining pluripotent stem cell culture, differentiation, organoids, cellular reprogramming, gene editing, real-time live-cell imaging, luminescence imaging, lineage-tracing, mouse genetics, flow cytometry, and single-cell and bulk RNA-seq. The lab's long-term goals include understanding fundamental mechanisms regulating developmental timing, identifying genetic factors controlling developmental clocks across species, and pursuing novel therapeutic strategies for disorders caused by misregulation of developmental clocks.
Paivi Torkkeli is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanisms of mechanosensory transduction, with emphasis on how mechanical stimuli are detected and transmitted to the central nervous system. She also investigates vision and olfaction using advanced electrophysiological, biophysical, and molecular techniques. Education: BSc, University of Oulu, Finland MSc, University of Oulu, Finland Licentiate of Science, University of Oulu, Finland PhD, University of Alberta, Canada Research Interests: Tackling fundamental questions about mechanotransduction channels, synaptic modulation of sensory signals, and cross-modal sensory systems. Her work integrates genetic, pharmacological, and electrophysiological approaches in model organisms like spiders and cockroaches. Publications Trends: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles exploring mechanosensory neuron function, ion channel biology, and sensory systems in arthropods. Recent work highlights roles of Piezo channels, opsin signaling in vision, and neuromodulatory pathways in spiders. Advising & Grants: While specific student names aren't listed, her research program involves postdoctoral and graduate trainees. Funding sources and lab-specific details aren't detailed in the provided texts.
Patrick Hamel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal . He serves as an Ophthalmologist and Head of Ophthalmology at the CHU Sainte-Justine hospital. His academic and clinical work spans pediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, and visual system diseases. Doctorate in Medicine from Université Laval Ophthalmology residency at Université de Montréal Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at University of Toronto Fellowship in Glaucoma at Université de Montréal His research focuses on pediatric ophthalmology , specifically strabismus , pediatric glaucoma , and retinoblastoma . His publications cover topics like SYK protein's role in retinoblastoma cell apoptosis, plateau iris syndrome in children, and pharmacotherapeutic approaches to ocular diseases. Recent publications (2015-2000) demonstrate expertise in pediatric ophthalmology , with recurring themes in retinal diseases , glaucoma , and clinical education across 15 articles. 2016 : Merit Award from Canadian Association for Medical Education 2015 : Merit Award from Canadian Association for Medical Education As Vice-Dean for Postdoctoral Medical Studies at Université de Montréal, he has significantly impacted ophthalmology education. His affiliations include the RRSV Vision Health Research Network and the CHU Sainte-Justine hospital.
