Directors
Chen Liang, PhD
Director: McGill Centre for Viral Diseases
Chen Liang is a Professor of Medicine, Associate Member in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Senior Investigator at the Lady Davis Institute of Jewish General Hospital. Prof. Liang was a long-time member of the McGill AIDS Centre. He assumed the role of Interim Director of the McGill AIDS Centre in 2018, succeeding the late Dr. Mark Wainberg. During his time as Interim Director, Prof. Liang led the efforts to launch the McGill Centre for Viral Diseases. Prof. Liang’s research uses molecular, genomic and proteomic approaches to understand the complex interactions between viruses and hosts, with focus on the antiviral innate immune responses to pathogenic RNA viruses including HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. His group discovered the anti-HIV-1 activity of the interferon-stimulated genes IFITM and MxB which restrict the early steps of HIV-1 infection and belong to a short list of known HIV-1 restriction factors. He has pioneered the application of the CRISPR gene editing technology in curing HIV-1 infected cells by cleaving and eliminating the integrated viral DNA. His group is dedicated to the understanding of the dysregulated interferon and inflammatory cytokine responses in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Prof. Liang’s research has been continuously supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR).
Marina Klein, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC
Associate Director (Clinical Research)：McGill Centre for Viral Diseases
Dr. Klein is a Professor of Medicine and Research Director in the Division of Infectious Diseases/Chronic Viral Illnesses Service, leads the MI4 Clinical Research Platform. Dr. Klein was a long-time member of the McGill AIDS Centre, and co-crafted the proposal of the McGill Centre for Viral Diseases. She was trained in Medicine, Infectious Disease, microbial pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Dr. Klein is an internationally recognized expert in HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) observational research and clinical trials. She is National co-director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Clinical and Epidemiologic Studies of Chronic Viral Infections in Vulnerable Populations. She served on the International AIDS Society Governing Council and its executive committee as representative for North America between 2012-2020. Dr Klein is leading "Montreal Sans HepC", an innovative community-focused program aiming to make Montreal the first city in North America to eliminate HCV.
Andrew J. Mouland, PhD
Associate Director (Basic Research)：McGill Centre for Viral Diseases
Dr. Mouland is a Professor of Medicine and Associate Member in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Mouland was recruited to the McGill AIDS Centre in 2000, and enthusiastically advocated the establishment of the McGill Centre for Viral Diseases. He is an internationally renowned expert in virus-host interactions in HIV-1 and emerging viruses (Zika and Ebola viruses) and his work informs on both the cell biology of virus infection and the etiology of other human pathologies (neurodegenerative disease such as ALS). He pioneered studies of HIV-1 RNA fate and metabolism and regulation by cellular factors and machineries, including landmark discoveries of the multiple roles of Staufen1, Upf1, Nup62 and others in HIV-1 replication. Dr. Mouland is also a leader in the fields of host cell responses to viral infections as well as the evolving field of condensates and membraneless organelles that are engineered by viruses. Dr. Mouland’s research is funded by the CIHR and the NIH. He is a long-standing member of CIHR project grant and Vanier Scholarships committees, and has served on FRQ-S career award and international awards committees. Dr. Mouland serves as Academic Advisor in the Department of Medicine and is a proponent for student growth and mentorship activities.