2019 INDUCTEE Rémi Quirion, PhD Brain & Mind, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy
January 9, 1955
(Lac-Drolet, Québec)
PhD, University of Sherbrooke (1980)
2015: Officer of Ordre des Palmes Académiques, France
2007: Officer of the Order of Canada
See All AwardsAwards & Honours:
2015: Officer of Ordre des Palmes Académiques, France
2007: Officer of the Order of Canada
2005: Fellow of Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
2004 : Wilder Penfield Prize
2003: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
2003: Member of l’Ordre national du Québec
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.
2024
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Rémi Quirion inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Montreal, Quebec
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Dr. Quirion became the first Chief Scientist of Quebec
Health Policy, Leadership in Organizational DevelopmentIn this role he advises the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation on research and scientific development issues.
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Dr. Quirion became the Executive Director of the CIHR International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer’s disease
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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 -
Dr. Quirion is appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy
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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 DevelopmentIt has now earned international recognition for research on Alzheimer’s disease and neuropeptide.
1994
He has an incredible energy which is very contagious.