These salary awards support research programs spanning cancer, infectious diseases, child health, neurology and many other fields.
SOURCE: The Institute
May 12, 2026
Fifteen researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) have received awards through the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) salary award program. Total funding for the recipients exceeds $2.5 million.
Salary Award Researchers (Chercheurs-boursiers)
Junior 1
Marilyn Ahun – Promoting youth mental health: A mixed-methods research program using a life course approach and global perspective ($235,698)
Junior 2
Alexander Baldwin – Visual information processing in amblyopia, visual snow syndrome and stereopsis disorders ($151,708)
Julia Valdemarin Burnier – Tracking genomic alterations during tumour and metastatic progression using biomarkers derived from non-invasive liquid biopsies ($328,150)
Senior
David Labbé – Combining nutrition and precision medicine to better target prostate cancer ($250,386)
Clinician Salary Award Researchers (Chercheurs-boursiers cliniciens)
Junior 1
Ana Maria Copaescu – Informing, evaluating and optimizing diagnostic approaches for antibiotic reactions ($139,887)
Mallory Downie – Advancing precision medicine in pediatric nephrotic syndrome: From genetics to immune targets ($145,938)
Samara Perez – Clinical research program to improve access, effectiveness and equity of psychosocial care in oncology ($166,516)
Junior 2
Matthew P. Cheng – Reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with bacteremia in Canada ($158,502)
Roy Dudley – Advanced magnetosource imaging and intraoperative optical spectroscopy methods for precise resection of the epileptogenic zone in pediatric focal epilepsy ($163,328)
Arielle Mendel – Medication safety and infection prevention in rheumatic diseases ($153,982)
Kenneth Myers – Improving care for people with rare neurological diseases ($110,545)
Senior
Natalie Dayan – MAMAN: Improving well-being of mothers through the application of new knowledge ($128,338)
Emily McDonald – Advancing appropriate medication use through clinical research and evidence ($122,476)
Ruth Sapir-Pichhadze – Using evidence-based precision medicine to optimize personalized transplant care ($132,704)
Merit Salary Award Researchers (Chercheurs-boursiers de mérite)
Donald Vinh – CReGENII: Reference Centre for Genetic Research in Infection and Immunity ($120,000)
Warm congratulations to all recipients!
Further details on funding and research projects are available on the Fonds de recherche du Québec website.