News
Patients and scientists: working together to fight blood cancers!
Published on March 11, 2026
On Thursday, February 25, IRIC welcomed patients with leukemia or lymphoma for a unique opportunity for students and scientists at the Institute to share experiences: a chance to shine a spotlight on people with cancer at the heart of research.
The program included a presentation of IRIC as a research center, a tour of the laboratory of David Knapp, Principal Investigator of the Cell Engineering Research Unit, the laboratory of Julie Lessard, Principal Investigator of the Chromatin Structure and Stem Cell Biology Research Unit, as well as the proteomics and genomics platforms, resources that are unique to IRIC.
From research to patients
The event ended with an inspiring exchange. Participants shared their personal experiences of their care journey, and teams from several research laboratories at the Institute—Brian Wilhelm, David Knapp, Julie Lessard, Pierre Thibault, Trang Hoang, and Sylvie Mader—presented their scientific approaches to better understand and target these diseases. They also discussed their profession, which is often little known to the public.
This meeting strengthened the bond between patients and scientists and highlighted the importance of dialogue in advancing research.
The institute would like to thank the organizing committee for making this evening a memorable event:
- Alexandre Polsinelli, doctoral student in Julie Lessard’s laboratory
- Fanny-Meï Cloarec-Ung, doctoral student in David Knapp’s laboratory
- Javier Anleu Alegria, master’s student in Trang Hoang’s laboratory
- Tyler Lussier, doctoral student in Brian Wilhelm’s laboratory
