Alumni

Scientists reveal how the brain uses objects to find direction

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:09:44 +0000

Study shows how visual landmarks tune the brain’s internal compass

We take our understanding of where we are for granted, until we lose it. When we get lost in nature or a new city, our eyes and brains kick into gear, seeking familiar objects that tell us where we are.

How our brains distinguish objects from background when finding direction, however, was largely a mystery. A new study provides valuable insight into this process, with possible implications for disorientation-causing conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

Human instruction with artificial intelligence guidance provided best results in neurosurgical training

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:14:02 +0000

Study has implications beyond medical education, suggesting other fields could benefit from AI-enhanced training

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful new tool in training and education, including in the field of neurosurgery. Yet a new study suggests that AI tutoring provides better results when paired with human instruction.

Friends, parks and brain wiring predict whether people exercise after a cardiovascular diagnosis

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:32:32 +0000

Findings could help tailor interventions to encourage physical activity in older people with heart and blood flow conditions

A diagnosis is often a cue for people to change the way they live. For people diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, it is often a motivator to get more physical exercise, which can improve long-term health. However, the rate of physical activity increase after diagnosis varies widely depending on the individual.

$10 million for Neuro-led project seeking new Alzheimer’s biomarkers

admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:27:40 +0000

Weston Family Foundation grant will fund the first ultra-high-sensitivity whole body PET/CT scanner in Canada

A groundbreaking project led by Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) of 91�� has received a major boost thanks to a $10-million grant from the Weston Family Foundation.

The funding is part of a $20-million initiative by the foundation to support highly ambitious scientific endeavors under its Healthy Aging Strategy, comprised of the Weston Brain Institute and the Weston Family Microbiome Initiative.

Sylvain Baillet inducted into the Royal Society of Canada

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:34:58 +0000

Society recognizes distinguished Canadians who have made remarkable contributions to their academic fields and public life

Sylvain Baillet, PhD, a global leader in brain imaging and systems neuroscience, has been inducted into the Royal Society of Canada, one of the nation’s highest academic honours.

A transformation in neurosurgery

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:13:27 +0000

Demonstration of an AI-powered tool during a live surgery at The Neuro

A surgical device powered by artificial intelligence (AI) was demonstrated live for the first time at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) in a historic step forward for the field of precision neurosurgery. SENTRY™, an innovative technology developed by Montreal-based Reveal and its university partners, can differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue in real time, offering tangible hope to patients for better outcomes.

$203.9 million raised to impact the lives of people with neurological disease

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:53:18 +0000

Brains Need Open Minds campaign, the largest in The Neuro’s history, has fueled innovative brain research

An initiative to reduce wait times for spinal cord surgery, research that is testing ways to inhibit brain cancer cells, an open database for multiple sclerosis and an app that tracks Alzheimer’s progression and aids diagnosis. All these projects and more were made possible by a campaign that has raised $203.9 million for groundbreaking neuroscience research and patient care.

91�� Cares - The benefits of music for people living with dementia

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:30:40 +0000

Join us on December 17, 2025 at noon for our next episode of 91�� Cares, a webcast series designed to support informal caregi

Event | Seminar: Computer-based Predictions of RNA Structures: Where do we stand?

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:11:03 +0000

Join D2R for this hybrid seminar with Professor Eric Westhof from University of Strasbourg

91�� Hearing Screening

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:39:34 +0000

No appointment needed.

First come, first serve.

Thank you

Call for Applications: International Partnerships Program

admin — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:41:03 +0000

D2R | DNA to RNA is launching the International Partnerships Program (IPP) to strengthen large-scale, multi-institutional collaborations with leading global organizations. This strategic funding program supports partnerships that align with D2R’s mission, offer complementary expertise, and provide enriched, multidisciplinary training environments. The program will prioritize initiatives with strong institutional commitment, alignment with D2R’s research priorities, and potential for high global impact.

Professor Simon Roy wins Marathon of Hope Clinician-Scientist Award for melanoma research

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:17:53 +0000

Simon Roy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, is one of four early-career clinician-scientists across Canada to receive the 2025 Clinician-Scientist Award from the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN).

91��’s President honours outstanding early-career researchers

admin — Thu, 29 May 2025 15:48:45 +0000

Professors Guojun Chen, Mahsa Dadar and Phoebe Friesen – all members of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – win President’s Prize for Outstanding Emerging Researchers

Three 91�� scholars were recognized with the 2025 President’s Prize for Outstanding Emerging Researchers at the Health Sciences Convocation Ceremony on May 27. The award honours exceptional early-career researchers whose work is expanding the frontiers of knowledge in their fields.

91�� researchers win Brain Canada’s Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Award

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:19:25 +0000

Jérôme Fortin, Paul Masset, and Simon Thebault have received the Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Award from Brain Canada for their research in brain cognition, brain cancer, and neurological disabilities.

The 91�� researchers are among 22 successful applicants from across the country. They will each receive $100,000 in research funding distributed over a period of two years.

Call for Letters of Intent: Translational Impact Research Program | Cycle 2

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:56:59 +0000

D2R | DNA to RNA is launching the next round of funding for the Translational Impact Research (TIR) program. This program supports a select few large-scale translational research projects in RNA-based therapeutics which are expected to have a measurable impact on the health of Canadians. Projects must address the D2R Initiative’s strategic priorities and priority disease areas: oncology, rare diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases.

Applicant Eligibility:

This competition is open to: