The Society
More than 35,000 clinicians, scientists and allied health professionals from over 160 countries are part of the ERS community
Become an ERS member
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, affiliated with McGill University, is the largest health research institute in Québec. It brings together adult and pediatric research programs and hospitals under one roof. The facilities accommodate translational research across the human lifespan, with a continuum of research from basic discoveries to clinical research and clinical trials, commercialization of new discoveries, and the evaluation of new treatments and technologies. Research is divided across 8 research programs, and each program consists of scientists that work across the entire spectrum of health research: from fundamental, clinical, to health outcomes research.
Biomarkers\Epidemiology\Immunology\M-health – e-health \Molecular biology
Global fellowships (outgoing initial phase only)
The Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program has over 40 scientists that are part of the Meakins-Christie Laboratories (fundamental research into the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases) and the Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit (epidemiological research, clinical trials, and economic analyses). Members study a wide range of respiratory diseases: asthma, COPD, pulmonary infections, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, respiratory muscle disorders, pulmonary fibrosis, lung injury, and rare respiratory conditions. The fundamental research facilities include open-concept laboratory modules. A dedicated building accommodates the evaluative and epidemiological investigators. Research is supported by access to patient databases, cohorts, biological samples, and Technology Platforms.
The RI-MUHC is funded by the Fonds de recherche santé – Québec (FRQS). Funding for research is from external sources such as competitive federal and provincial governments, industry grants and contracts, foundations, and non-profit organizations.
The RI-MUHC hosts a dedicated Business Development Office that is responsible for supporting all RI-MUHC members with establishing and maintaining collaborations with external partners, including industry. The office has expertise to enable the innovation process from bench to bedside and assists in the commercialization process of technologies as well as knowledge transfer. A contracts office receives, reviews, negotiates and executes all research contracts (clinical and non-clinical). A dedicated marketing and communications team facilitates all news media and public relations inquiries.
The RI-MUHC offers an exceptional academic environment for the training of highly qualified personnel and has a history of hosting international fellows. To promote collaborative research, the co-supervision of fellows is encouraged. Activities include weekly work-in-progress seminars and bi-weekly respiratory epidemiology seminars. A weekly seminar series invites national and international experts in respiratory medicine, physiology, immunology, and other relevant areas. Full day thematic workshops are organized on a yearly basis. An annual Respiratory Research Day supports the development of effective communication skills. Trainees are financially supported to attend international conferences, visit collaborating labs, and participate in educational workshops to learn new techniques and expand their skills. At the institute level, the RI-MUHC established the Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training. This Centre supports research trainees’ growth as knowledge creators, leaders, experts and innovators and prepares trainees for diverse careers by focusing on the acquisition of a broad skillset.
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