Student and postdoctoral space

CHUM	Marie Gasser Copresident of the CECRCHUM Postdoctoral fellow Guy Rutter’s laboratory Cardiometabolic Research Theme

Marie has been a postdoctoral fellow since October 2023 and is the co-chair of the CECRCHUM. Marie’s research focuses on the study of mechanisms tied to a genetic mutation impacting a zinc transporter in beta cells of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Her work aims to deepen our understanding of how diabetes develops and could open doors to potential therapeutic advances. Beyond her research, Marie loves meeting new people and having lively conversations, whether its small talk about food, sports or cats, or more serious discussions on topics like research and life at the CRCHUM. 

CHUM	Élisabeth Lamoureux Copresident of the CECRCHUM PhD candidate in clinical psychology Gabrielle Pagé’s laboratory Health Innovation and Evaluation Research Hub Theme

Élisabeth is a CECRCHUM co-chair and PhD candidate in clinical psychology. She is studying the links between psychological well-being and chronic pain, focusing specifically on the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on the psychological and functional repercussions of pain. Élisabeth is very passionate about students’ mental health and well-being. She always looks forward to conversing with you, whether to talk about your research projects or to learn more about your passions. Say hi if you see her around, don’t be shy!

Nicolas Pouderous Doctoral student in biochemistry Gerardo Ferbeyre’s laboratory Cancer Research Theme

Nicolas is in charge of sports and physical activities on CRCHUM’s Student Committee. His doctoral project looks at the regulation of cancer cells in pancreatic and breast cancers. His research focuses on the potential uses of cellular senescence as a therapeutic tool, aiming to understand how this state can stop tumour proliferation and contribute to the elimination of cancerous cells. Beyond science, Nicolas is incredibly passionate about sports, especially volleyball. An outdoorsman, he loves going out in nature and finding time to take care of his plants.

Bryan Quesnel  Master’s student in molecular biochemistry Gerardo Ferbeyre’s laboratory Cancer Research Theme

A master’s student in molecular biochemistry in Professor Ferbeyre’s laboratory since May 2023, working toward starting a PhD in 2025. Co-treasurer and one of two creators of the association’s student magazine. His favourite part of doing research is the ongoing learning process. Finally, he loves cats and never misses out on the opportunity to share his cat pictures with you.

Laura has been a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Poitout’s laboratory since 2021 and head of the Cardiometabolic Research Theme since 2024. She’s a lover of immunology and cardiometabolic diseases. She works with type 2 diabetes and more specifically on the impact of fatty acid receptors in hormonal secretion in islets of Langerhans. She loves pastry-making and having her colleagues taste test her new recipes. Finally, she loves painting and pottery.

Jennifer Auvergnon PhD candidate in neurosciences Catherine Larochelle's laboratory Neuroscience Research Theme

Jennifer is a postdoctoral fellow, future representative of the Neuroscience Research Theme and the CECRCHUM co-treasurer. She has been working in Dr. Catherine Larochelle’s team since January 2024. Her research deals with the role of ICAM-1 in interactions between T-cells and microglias in the context of multiple sclerosis. Sporty and adventurous, she is always game for new experiences and challenges. Her goal as a member of the Committee is to bring together students from every research theme to highlight their research projects at the CRCHUM and to promote scientific popularization.

Éric Moreau Doctoral student Simon Turcotte's laboratory Cancer Research Theme

Éric represents the Cancer Research Theme on the CRCHUM’s Student Committee. His doctoral project deals with the effect of tumour microenvironment modulation on the efficacy of cellular therapies. The development of new and current innovative therapies has always been a research interest for him. When he isn’t in the laboratory, he spends his time hiking, biking or around a table playing board games with friends.  

CHUM	César Trifone Postdoctoral fellow Nicolas Chomont's laboratory Immunopathology Research Theme

César is co-manager of communications on the CRCHUM’s Student Committee. He moved here from Argentina in 2021 to join our institution. César studies the dynamics and characterization of SIV reservoirs in non-human primate models. He also works on projects aiming to understand how HIV persists in the organism during antiretroviral treatment. César has always been involved in politics in the hopes of having a real impact on the scientific community. Throughout his career, he has been a part of many committees, showing how dedicated he is to contributing to the student community. Outside of the academic world, he is a passionate fan of soccer and dance!

Corentin Montiel Postdoctoral fellow Isabelle Doré’s laboratory Health Innovation and Evaluation Research Hub Theme

Corentin is a community psychologist and postdoctoral fellow in public health. His work deals with the development of support services for people diagnosed with cancer, including psychological support, physical activity support groups and information access support. He participates in many projects to support patients in taking an active role in their recovery by adapting to their own needs and preferences. He is co-manager of communications at the CECRCHUM. In his free time, he loves reading, hiking and culinary adventures.

CHUM	Elsa Gomez Postdoctoral fellow Naglaa Shoukry's laboratory Immunopathology Research Theme

Elsa represents the Immunopathology Research Theme on the CRCHUM’s Student Committee. Her postdoctoral research project focuses on the study of immune responses against hepatitis C virus. She is passionate about the study of pathogens and diseases in order to develop therapies and vaccines. This is why establishing multidisciplinary networks is so important to her. After a long day of work, Elsa enjoys practising wellness activities such as yoga and classical dance. She also loves sharing her culture through gastronomy and discovering new recipes during her trips around the world.

Erwan Goy Postdoctoral fellow Francis Rodier's laboratory Cancer Research Theme

Erwan has been a postdoctoral fellow in the Cancer Research Theme since September 2022. He is the co-secretary of the CECRCHUM. His research deals with the study of cell senescence regulation in different ovarian cancer models. Senescence is a particular state of arrest in cell proliferation associated with phenotype changes. Many recent research studies have revealed the existence of treatments able to eliminate senescent cells specifically. Erwan’s research could open up new therapeutic strategies to fight ovarian cancer. In addition to science, and despite a very bad sense of direction, Erwan enjoys hiking and running. He is also a theatre buff.

Baptiste Marin  Doctoral student in health technology engineering Sophie Lerouge’s laboratory Imaging and Engineering Research Theme

Baptiste is the Imaging and Engineering Research Theme’s student representative on the CECRCHUM. His project deals with the development of a chitosan hydrogel as a cell delivery vehicle for cancer immunotherapy by adoptive cell transfer. His science interests are mainly in the areas of polymeric biomaterials, tissue engineering and cell therapies. When not doing research, Baptiste enjoys hockey and soccer and being physically active. He also likes 80s music, video games, movies and reading. 

Sydney Wheatley Master's student Ali Ahmadi's laboratory Imaging and Engineering Research Theme

Sydney is the co-planner of social activities on the CRCHUM’s student committee. She joined the Imaging and Engineering Research Theme in September 2022 as a master’s student. Her project consists of exploring unconventional culture techniques to grow “unculturable” bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Sydney is passionate about increasing female representation in the field of engineering and takes part in many different outreach programs with this goal in mind. Her absolute favourite pastime is playing with her dogs, but she also enjoys a leisurely bike ride and playing sports!

Mersede Mokri PhD candidate in biomedical engineering Jean-François Carrier’s laboratory Imaging and Engineering Research Theme

Mersede Mokri is a postdoctoral fellow and passionate biomedical engineer, specialized in the application of artificial intelligence to optimize myocardial PET imaging. Her innovative research aims to better both patient care and the efficacy of health care systems by reducing exam time, minimizing radiation exposure and integrating patients’ medical histories in the diagnostics for more precise and personalized results. In addition to her academic work, Mersede is an active member of the CRCHUM's Student Committee, where she is co-planner of social activities. In possession of an entrepreneurial spirit, she actively explores innovative solutions to transform her research into practical applications in the health care field. She is also part of a cultural group to help students better integrate into their new roles and to feel at home in their new environments.