2019 INDUCTEE Rémi Quirion, PhD Brain & Mind, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy

Born:

January 9, 1955

(Lac-Drolet, Québec)

Education:

PhD, University of Sherbrooke (1980)

Awards & Honours:

2015: Officer of Ordre des Palmes Académiques, France

2007: Officer of the Order of Canada

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Renowned Neuroscientist and Quebec’s first chief scientist

A leader in neuroscience research and advocate for scientific knowledge in policy development

Dr. Quirion began his career with a PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Sherbrooke with a thesis focused on the role of neurotensin in cardiovascular and brain diseases. He then pursued postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD working on the mechanism of action of drugs of abuse including phencyclidine and opiates, and neuropeptides in the brain. He moved to the Department of Psychiatry at McGill and soon began development of the Douglas Hospital Research Centre (DHRC), which earned international recognition for research on Alzheimer’s disease and neuropeptide physiology as it relates to mental disorders. In addition to his scientific research, the Quebec government named him Chief Scientist of Quebec.

Key Facts

Pursued training at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD working on the mechanism of action of drugs of abuse including phencyclidine and opiates, and neuropeptides in the brain

With over 750 publications, Dr. Quirion is one of the world’s most frequently cited neuroscientists

Has trained almost a hundred graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, helping to build and nurture the next generation of young scientists

Recipient of many national and international honours for his scientific and administrative contributions

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

The scientific research of Dr. Quirion will have a lasting impact on the field of mental health research. His work at DHRC has revealed important insights about the nature of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, memory, and pain tolerance. Moreover, scientist-administrators like Dr. Quirion help ensure that great projects of science will continue to generate social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

2023

May 2, 2019
Rémi Quirion inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Montreal, Quebec
2011
Dr. Quirion became the first Chief Scientist of Quebec
Health Policy
In this role he advises the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation on research and scientific development issues.
2009
Dr. Quirion became the Executive Director of the CIHR International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer’s disease
2000
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) appointed Dr. Quirion as the first Science Director for the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), one of Canada’s 13 health research institutes
Brain & Mind, Health Policy, Leadership in Organizational Development
2000
Dr. Quirion is appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy
1994
The Neuroscience Division of the Douglas Hospital Research Centre was formed with Dr. Quirion serving as its first scientific director
Brain & Mind, Leadership in Organizational Development
It has now earned international recognition for research on Alzheimer’s disease and neuropeptide.