Alice Morgunova
Gairdner Awardee (top Gold) and Nominated to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany; PhD candidate in Neuroscience, IPN, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Alice has been selected as one of the nominees to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. The selection process for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is highly competitive, with thousands of applications received from young researchers around the world based on their outstanding academic merit and potential for future contributions to their respective fields.
Alice’s current research investigates microRNAs as circulating markers of depression risk through biosample profiling and study of associations with specific behavioral outcomes, structural brain alterations and modulation of genes and gene-networks. By shedding light on microRNA's role in adolescent psychiatric vulnerability, she aims to contribute to the development of predictive biomarkers and intervention strategies for this critical period of brain maturation.
During the interview, Alice shared about her academic and research journey, which has been supported by exceptional mentors and supervisors who have fueled her interest in neuroscience. She highlighted the interdisciplinary approach she has taken in her graduate research, combining cellular biology, genetics, and computational techniques, which has provided her with valuable insights into the complexities within neuroscience.
When asked about her recent award and nomination to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, Alice expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity and excitement to be immersed in an environment that fosters intellectual exchange and draws inspiration from the cutting-edge research and discoveries of the laureates. Being nominated to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting is a tremendous honor for any graduate trainee. For Alice, this nomination is not only a tremendous honor, but also a testament to the hard work and support of her mother. She expressed her gratitude and admiration for the woman who raised her with love and resilience, she felt she owed much of her success to her mother's sacrifices and wanted to dedicate this honor to her.
As Alice looks to the future, she sees herself as a lifelong learner, continuously expanding her knowledge and skills in neuroscience. She is driven by the immense potential of this field. She emphasizes the importance of continued investment in neuroscience research and highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to push the boundaries of our understanding of the brain. She advocates for public support and active engagement with scientific research, recognizing its transformative potential in improving the quality of life for individuals impacted by brain disorders.
Quentin Devaux
Gairdner Awardee (top Gold); PhD candidate in Physiology; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Quentin began his academic career in biology in France, where he did an internship in the Social Rodent lab in Dusseldorf. He then pursued a master's in neuroscience at the University of Bordeaux, where he spent a year learning electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Inspired by his first experiences in research, Quentin joined McGill to pursue a PhD in Reza Sharif’s lab in 2018. After obtaining a scholarship from the Louise and Alan Edward Foundation, allowing him to continue his PhD research on pain in Philippe Séguéla’s Lab at the Neuro.
His current research focuses on investigating the molecular basis of pain, with a particular focus on TRPV1-expressing nociceptors in the peripheral nervous system. His project aims to investigate how TRPV1+ nociceptors recognize stimuli that would normally be innocuous as painful and whether they are involved in itch-sensitization. Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, so understanding the underlying mechanisms behind pain sensitization is essential to developing novel therapeutics. Quentin has also mentioned the importance of the student's research cannot be understated. Chronic pain is a widespread problem that affects millions of people worldwide, and understanding the molecular basis of pain is critical to developing effective treatments. The student's research on TRPV1-expressing nociceptors could lead to significant advances in pain treatment, which could have a significant impact on society.
Quentin was delighted to win the ICAM poster award and has expressed that it gave him an opportunity to present his work to a broader crowd than he usually sees in topic-focused conferences. He hopes to complete his current research project along with his PhD and would like the opportunity to experience industry-oriented research to contribute to the field of neurosciences from another angle. Additionally, promoting science through teaching has always been one of his interests and he hopes to have more opportunities to do it.
We wish him all the best in his future research endeavors and look forward to seeing the impact of his work will have on the field of pain research.