Researcher

Title

• Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal

Internship opportunity(ies)

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 2006-2009
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA, 2004-2006
• MSc and PhD, Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, 1996-2004
• BSc, Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, 1992-1995

My research program is primarily focused on the study of in situ vitamin D absorption and metabolism in organs that are especially affected by cystic fibrosis (CF) such as the intestine and pancreas. The work is being carried out in parallel with a number of cohort studies aimed at characterizing the vitamin D nutritional status of populations potentially at risk of deficiency and studying the association between this condition of insufficiency and certain parameters of clinical interest.

More specifically, the objectives being pursued are the following:

• A study of the impact of manifestations associated with CF such as the absence of CFTR, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and essential fatty acid deficiency on vitamin D absorption and metabolism by intestinal and endocrine pancreatic cells. An understanding of the mechanisms that surround vitamin D absorption and a study of the influence of genetic inheritance.
• A study of the impact of insufficient nutritional status and vitamin D deficient status in CF individuals on the antioxidant and detoxifying functions of intestinal cells and on the secretory functions of endocrine pancreatic cells.

The higher life expectancy enjoyed by CF patients has led to an increase in the number of pregnancies in this population. CF women must therefore face the combined (patho)physiological effects of CF and pregnancy. I am also interested in the study of the overall vitamin D nutritional status of CF women during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

• Vitamin D
• Bone health
• Cystic fibrosis / Pulmonary transplant
• Intestinal physiology

Awards and Distinctions

• Teaching award- Undergraduate studies, Faculty of Medecine, University of Montreal
• Award for the best poster in the postdoctoral category, Annual meeting of the Société québécoise de lipidologie, nutrition et métabolisme, Québec, May 2009
• Best Oral Presentation, Scientific Research Days of the Groupe universitaire sur le médicament, University of Montreal, May 2007
• Best Oral Presentation, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé, CHU Sainte-Justine, May 2007
• Postdoctoral Research Scholarship, Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation and the Foundation of Stars, 2007-2009
• Dean’s List, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Montreal, March 2004
• Award, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal for writing a scientific article for the general public, January 2003
• PhD Award for Excellence, CHUM Research Center, 2002-2003
• Best Oral Presentation, Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, May 2002
• Award for Excellence, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Montreal, 2001-2002
• Award for Excellence, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Montreal, 2000-2001
• Best Oral Presentation, Department of Pharmacology, University of Montreal, may 2000
• PhD Training Award, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé / Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies, 1999-2001
• Award for Excellence, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Montreal, 1998-1999