Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences NEWS

Sunsetting of the Vanier and Banting programs

ɬ�﷬ — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:22:45 +0000

In alignment with the Tri-Agency Research Training Strategy and as announced in Budget 2024, the three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering and Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are working to offer a harmonized and streaml

The Neuro's Virtual Integrated Patient Platform receives major funding

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:14:59 +0000

Brain Canada support will help accelerate the discovery of new treatments for brain and nervous system disorders

An innovative project led by Dr. Guy Rouleau at The Neuro has received major funding from Brain Canada, one of four platforms that are advancing treatment discovery across a wide range of neurological disorders. In total the four platforms are being supported with a $8,926,500 investment.

To curb overprescribing for seniors, researchers urge annual prescription checkups

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:39:22 +0000

To address the growing problem of overprescribing for seniors, a new Canadian guideline is calling for routine medication reviews.

In Canada, roughly two in three adults age 65 or older take five or more medications. While often necessary, complex drug regimens can increase the risk of side effects and affect quality of life.

ɬ�﷬ researchers leading two new Brain Canada-supported platforms

ɬ�﷬ — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:27:01 +0000

Researchers at ɬ�﷬ are leading two major new Brain Canada-supported platforms to accelerate discovery and improve outcomes for patients living with neurological disorders, as announced today.

Ajitha Thanabalasuriar receives PATH award to advance lung disease research

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 28 May 2026 20:39:47 +0000

Award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund will open new avenues to preventing and treating pneumonia.

Blood proteins flag multiple sclerosis years before diagnosis, opening a window for prevention

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:12:51 +0000

Of more than 2,500 blood proteins screened, a small group may drive MS and signal who will develop it

A new study has revealed a group of blood proteins, that are altered in people who go on to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), in some cases more than a decade before diagnosis. The findings offer hope that a simple blood test could one day identify people at high risk of MS in time to act before damage occurs.

‘Jumping gene’ helps explain elevated pancreatic cancer risk in French-Canadians

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:13:42 +0000

Researchers at ɬ�﷬ have discovered a centuries-old genetic mutation that helps to explain why some French‑Canadians in Quebec are at an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer. Until quite recently, standard genetic tests have not been able to identify this “jumping gene” cause.

The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, suggest better-targeted genetic testing could help identify people at higher cancer risk who were previously missed.

ɬ�﷬’s Bravo Gala shines a spotlight on research excellence

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:18:30 +0000

At event honouring 116 winners of major awards, keynote speaker and SSHRC Gold Medal recipient Myriam Denov emphasized the importance of listening.

ɬ�﷬ celebrated more than 100 researchers at the 21^st edition of Bravo, a gala event May 7 honouring the winners of major provincial, national and international research prizes and awards in 2025.

Provost honours 31 ɬ�﷬ professors for exceptional research achievements

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:00:18 +0000

The 2026 cohort of Distinguished James ɬ�﷬ Professors, James ɬ�﷬ Professors and William Dawson Scholars embody ‘the very best of our academic community’.

Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) Angela Campbell has named 31 ɬ�﷬ professors as Distinguished James ɬ�﷬ Professors, James ɬ�﷬ Professors or William Dawson Scholars. The internal awards recognize exceptional research achievements.

ɬ�﷬ awarded 16 new or renewed Canada Research Chairs

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:51:34 +0000

From fundamental physics to child well-being, ɬ�﷬ researchers advance discovery across disciplines

ɬ�﷬ has been awarded $18.1 million in federal funding to support 16 Canada Research Chairs – six new and 10 renewed.

$1.25 million for ɬ�﷬ research from the New Frontiers in Research Fund

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:34:01 +0000

Federal fund will support transformative high risk, high reward research across engineering, science, and medicine at ɬ�﷬.

Icing injuries may slow recovery and prolong pain, study finds

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:42:56 +0000

Icing a sprained ankle or sore muscle, long used to reduce pain and swelling, may in the longer run delay recovery and prolong pain, new research suggests.

In a preclinical study published in Anesthesiology, ɬ�﷬ researchers found that even though cryotherapy (icing) eased pain in the short term, recovery time was more than doubled in some cases.

Discovery of fat-burning ‘switch’ could lead to advances in bone disease treatments

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:38:51 +0000

Scientists’ discovery of a molecular “switch” that activates an energy‑burning pathway in mice has the potential to lead to new treatments for bone disease.

The study, published in Nature, sheds new light on brown fat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat cells burn calories, producing heat as a byproduct. For years, it was believed this process relied on a single pathway. More recently, researchers discovered a parallel pathway, but how it became activated remained a mystery.

Public education will be critical as provinces roll out new cervical cancer screening method, researchers say

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:37:38 +0000

As Canada moves to modernize cervical cancer screening, a new study suggests most women do not yet understand or trust the shift from the Pap test to human papillomavirus (HPV) based screening.

The national survey, published in Current Oncology, examined women’s preferences for cervical screening – including how they want to be screened and how they want information communicated – as Canada transitions from Pap tests to HPV testing.

Unleashing natural killer cells against cancer

ɬ�﷬ — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:50:22 +0000

Scientists have developed a strategy to boost the cancer-fighting power of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the immune system’s first line of defence. NK cells can detect and destroy cancer cells, but tumours often create a protective barrier that blocks them, allowing cancer to grow.

Researchers at ɬ�﷬’s Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the Research Institute of the ɬ�﷬ Health Centre, found that suppressing two specific proteins helps NK cells overcome this blockage, turning them into more potent cancer killers.

NSERC awards two ɬ�﷬ professors $1.65 million each to prepare the next generation of researchers

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:07:07 +0000

Projects focusing on MedTech and genomics cut across disciplines while mobilizing expertise at ɬ�﷬ and other Quebec institutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow

AI tool pinpoints cells driving aggressive cancers

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:47:49 +0000

ɬ�﷬ researchers have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can identify small groups of cells most responsible for driving aggressive cancers.

The tool, called SIDISH, offers scientists a clearer path to designing targeted therapies by showing which cells inside a tumour are most strongly linked with poor patient outcomes, rather than treating all cancer cells as if they behave the same way.

Weston Family Foundation awards two ɬ�﷬ researchers for human microbiome research

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:52:06 +0000

New funding fuels ɬ�﷬-led breakthroughs on how gut viruses influence childhood health and how engineered proteins can prevent damaging oral bacterial biofilms.

Largest-ever study of psychedelics could help advance their use in treating mental health disorders

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:39:31 +0000

Scientists have demonstrated, for the first time, that several psychedelic drugs – including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT and ayahuasca – produce a common pattern of brain activity despite their distinct chemistries.

An international consortium led by a ɬ�﷬ researcher pooled brain imaging data from labs across five countries, creating the largest study of its kind to date.

ɬ�﷬ launches initiative to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:22 +0000

ɬ�﷬ has launched the Initiative for Transforming Healthcare (ITH) to apply a systems-based approach and advance technology-enabled solutions to drive change in Canadian healthcare.

Mounting pressures – from limited access to family doctors to surgical backlogs and emergency room crowding – are straining Canada’s health system. The Initiative will explore ways to resolve these growing challenges through cross-sector partnerships.

Neuro researchers lead projects awarded $14.5 million

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:31:29 +0000

Funds will help acquire and develop cutting-edge infrastructure to advance research capacity

Five researchers from The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) are leading innovative new projects that have received major funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Innovation Fund. They will be funded for a total of $14.5 million, part of $42 million going to ɬ�﷬ scientists.

New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:15:32 +0000

A new injectable gel developed by researchers at ɬ�﷬ and Kyoto University could enable stem cell-based treatments for swallowing disorders.

While stem cells have the potential to repair damaged swallowing muscles, ensuring their survival after injection has been a major challenge. In a preclinical study published in Biomaterials, the new approach improved stem-cell survival by more than five times compared with traditional methods.

Two ɬ�﷬ professors awarded 2026 Dorothy Killiam Fellowships

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:40:28 +0000

Professors Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey and Jill Baumgartner will lead innovative research focusing on anti-Black carceral systems and climate-related health risks respectively

Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:16:18 +0000

Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.

ɬ�﷬ researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.

CIHR and partners invest $7.9 million in cancer prevention research at ɬ�﷬

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:05:07 +0000

Part of the largest CIHR-led cancer prevention investment, ɬ�﷬ researchers will develop approaches to reduce cancer risk and improve early detection

How stepping into nature affects the brain

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

Researchers at ɬ�﷬ and colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile have examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies from various disciplines. The result is one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of how the brain responds to nature.

Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:42:37 +0000

Scientists at ɬ�﷬ and the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute have developed a new way to deliver cancer immunotherapy that caused fewer side effects compared to standard treatment in a preclinical study.

Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues

ɬ�﷬ — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:23 +0000

Scientists have identified a pattern of gene activity present in some female survivors of childhood abuse that is associated with an elevated risk of depression.

2026 SCSD Research Day

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:51:35 +0000

Friday February 13 2026 • 3pm to 5pm
McIntyre Building, room 330, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal QC, H3A 1A3

CIHR grants $55.9M to ɬ�﷬ health research

ɬ�﷬ — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:35:40 +0000

56 ɬ�﷬ research projects were awarded funding through CIHR’s Fall 2025 Project Grant competition, to support high-potential health research across all areas and career stages.

Night owl or early bird? Study finds sleep categories aren’t that simple

ɬ�﷬ — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:05:32 +0000

The familiar labels “night owl” and “early bird,” long used in sleep research, don’t fully capture the diversity of human internal clocks, a new study has found.

The ɬ�﷬-led study published in Nature Communications found the two sleep-wake patterns, called chronotypes, contain a total of five distinct biological subtypes, each associated with different patterns of behaviour and health.

RNA therapy may be a solution for infant hydrocephalus

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:57:57 +0000

For the first time, drug targeting genetic mutation shown to have positive impact in mice models

Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that occurs in about 1 in 1,000 newborns and is often treated with invasive surgery. Now, a new study offers hope of preventing hydrocephalus before it even occurs.

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:58:01 +0000

A preclinical study published in Nature has found evidence that the hippocampus, the brain region that stores memory, also reorganizes memories to anticipate future outcomes.

Weston Family Foundation awards two ɬ�﷬ researchers combatting neurodegenerative diseases of aging

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:38:29 +0000

Findings suggest that certain medications for Type 2 diabetes reduce risk of dementia

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:02:20 +0000

A large ɬ�﷬ study has found that two classes of medications commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, both incretin-based, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

Drawing on clinical data from more than 450,000 patients, the research adds to growing evidence that incretin-based therapies have protective benefits for the brain.

The study examined GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include such medications as Ozempic, as well as DPP-4 inhibitors.

Three ɬ�﷬ researchers receive SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:32:44 +0000

New evidence challenges understanding of Parkinson’s disease

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:17:23 +0000

A ɬ�﷬-led study is challenging a popular theory about how dopamine drives movement, a discovery that could shift how scientists think about Parkinson’s disease treatments.

Published in Nature Neuroscience, the research found dopamine does not set the speed or force of each movement, as had been thought. Instead, it appears to act as the underlying support system that makes movement possible.

Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease

ɬ�﷬ — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:58:39 +0000

A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.

ɬ�﷬ researchers analyzing Ontario data found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus.

Amazing Brain Science Talks 2025: Exploring Brain-Heart Connections

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:41:49 +0000

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) presented the third edition of the Amazing Brain Science Talks, in partnership with Brain Canada Foundation and the Brain-Heart Interconnectome. Held at the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal, the event attracted over 100 attendees for an engaging afternoon discussing popular topics in brain health.

FMHS Tuition Statement 2024-2025

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:40:59 +0000

IMPORTANT: The majority of our graduate programs are NOT AFFECTED by the recent Quebec government announcements regarding tuition increases.

Out-of-province and International MSc-Thesis and PhD students will NOT be impacted by these proposed tuition increases.

PhD students from the rest of Canada will continue to pay the same tuition as students from Quebec.

Tuition will increase by approximately ~3% per year, as in past years.

FMHS Minimum Funding Packages_ 2024/2025

ɬ�﷬ — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:47:33 +0000

ɬ�﷬ FMHS 2023 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship winner Alex Wiseman

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:00:30 +0000

ɬ�﷬ FMHS 2023 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship winner Andrea Luppi

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:55:27 +0000

ɬ�﷬ FMHS 2023 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship winner Claire Adams

ɬ�﷬ — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:50:01 +0000

MDCM-PhD Newsletter September 2023 Edition

ɬ�﷬ — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:18:39 +0000