From global health to neuroscience and rare diseases, the events convened researchers, trainees and partners across disciplines.
SOURCE: The Institute
April 13, 2026
A series of recent events at The Institute highlighted the strength and diversity of its research and training community. From international awareness days to scientific symposia and distinguished lectures, these gatherings fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional development across multiple fields.
World Tuberculosis Day: Advancing research and global health action
On World Tuberculosis Day, The Institute highlighted the ongoing global impact of tuberculosis, one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease worldwide. The Institute is home to the McGill International TB Centre, a globally recognized leader advancing multidisciplinary research, policy and care.
The 2026 Tuberculosis Research Day brought together researchers, clinicians and trainees to present cutting-edge work, spanning fundamental science to real-world challenges in communities such as Nunavik. Presentations emphasized both scientific innovation and implementation challenges, including diagnosis, treatment access and community engagement. The event underscored the complexity of tuberculosis and the shared commitment to advancing solutions and improving outcomes.
RARE.Qc Scientific Day: Strengthening rare disease research networks
The Institute hosted the RARE.Qc Scientific Day and Annual General Meeting, convening researchers, clinicians, trainees, partners and individuals affected by rare diseases.
The program featured research talks, collaborative workshops shaping network priorities, trainee poster sessions and “My Research in 180 Seconds” presentations, as well as a dedicated career seminar. Discussions highlighted emerging discoveries, data sharing and patient-centered approaches. The event reinforced the importance of collaboration and shared knowledge in advancing research and care for rare diseases.
Distinguished Professors Series: Precision approaches in health systems
As part of the Distinguished Professors Series, Dame Anna Dominiczak, PhD, Regius Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health) at the University of Glasgow, delivered a lecture at The Institute.
Her presentation explored precision medicine and precision public health, focusing on how innovation can be adopted at the government level to transform health systems. She highlighted strategies for integrating research into policy and scaling innovation. The session brought a multidisciplinary perspective and sparked discussion across the research community.
BRaIN Symposium: Showcasing neuroscience research and training
The 2026 BRaIN Symposium brought together the neuroscience community to highlight research from the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program.
The program included trainee oral presentations and a keynote lecture by Robert Zatorre, PhD, whose work uses advanced neuroimaging to better understand how the brain processes speech, music and auditory perception. A poster session organized with the Montreal Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience provided further opportunities for exchange and feedback. The event concluded with awards recognizing outstanding presentations and a networking session fostering new collaborations.
Looking ahead
Together, these events reflect ongoing momentum across The Institute’s research community, supporting collaboration, training and the advancement of knowledge across disciplines. They also highlight continued opportunities to connect researchers, trainees and partners through future initiatives and events.