Nouvelles
$1.12 million for a research project in which Professor Catherine Beaudry is participating
This investment comes in part from the Genome Canada EEG pilot program, whose goal is to support initiatives that will teach
Canadian genomic researchers how to capture and maximize the value of their research and convert their discoveries into
marketable applications, products, technology, systems and processes. Genome Canada provided 50% of the total funding, while
Génome Québec provided 25%; the remaining 25% came from other sources.
"After a decade of investments in genomics, it is only logical to now focus on how to translate this research into tangible results, even as we remain committed to funding excellent cutting-edge research," explains Pierre Meulien, President and CEO of Genome Canada. He adds: "This will ensure that new knowledge is converted into innovations that will enhance prosperity in Québec and Canada."
For his part, Denis J. Garand, Associate Professor in the Department of Management of the Faculty of Administration at Université Laval, states: "We want to help the researchers we select turn their ideas into innovations and commercial successes by giving them customized entrepreneurship training, right in their workplaces and at their own pace -- four levels-- through the digital teaching environment offered by Université Laval. Within three years, we will be ready to submit proposals to Genome Canada; this will eventually lead to a better commercialization of research results, patents and discoveries."
And Jean-Marc Proulx, President and CEO of Génome Québec, notes: "The tools that will be developed by Professor Garand and his team will equip Québec researchers with a new set of skills that will round out their expertise in the field of science. It will also bring to fruition some of the projects in the Génome Québec portfolio by paving the way for the enhancement of their technology."
About the project
The goal of the project, which was selected from among nine submissions to Genome Canada, is to educate and support
researchers, professors, research directors, research assistants and graduates in genomics (biotechnology, life sciences and
animal and plant health) and help them develop their entrepreneurial skills and eventually learn to convert their discoveries
into commercial successes. Researchers from various faculties, including medicine, forestry and agriculture, who are working in
university and hospital research centres in Québec and Atlantic Canada, will be identified and those selected will have access
to various awareness, education, training, translational and support activities, based on their degree of openness to
entrepreneurship and the status of their project.
The team of which Professor Beaudry is a member comprises 12 prominent professor-researchers from Québec universities, in
addition to industrial partners, who will be working with some 30 genomics and bio-technology scientists. Each of the
researchers involved has a well-defined role. Professor Beaudry is in charge of measuring the impacts associated with each
project. "To assess the reach of a project of this scope, it is important to first establish a portrait of the evolution of
genomics and to evaluate the field's growth," she explains.
Left to right : Denis J. Garand, Associate Professor in the Department of Management of the Faculty of
Administration at Université Laval, and Catherine Beaudry, Associate Professor in Polytechnique's Department of Mathematical
and Industrial Engineering.
Polytechnique congratulates Professor Beaudry and wishes her the best of success!
To find out more :
To read about Professor Beaudry's expertise :
http://www.polymtl.ca/recherche/rc/en/professeurs/details.php?NoProf=272&Langue=A
