Team
Meet the team!
Dr. Sylvia Villeneuve
Director
Dr. Villeneuve has been director of the StoP-AD Centre since June 2022. She earned her doctorate at l'Université de Montréal in 2011, where she investigated the nature of memory problems in those with mild cognitive impairments of both vascular and non-vascular origins. Her first postdoctoral training took place at the University of California, Berkeley, where she examined the interactions between amyloid deposits, vascular diseases, and cognition in the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease. She completed a second postdoctoral training at Northwestern University, where she evaluated the predictive value of neurovascular changes, such as diminished neurovascular reactivity or the deterioration of the blood-brain barrier, in decelerating the early changes associated with amyloid deposits. Dr. Villeneuve has been an associate professor at McGill University since 2015 and a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec since 2009. In addition, she is the director of the Multimodal Imaging of the Aging Brain lab at the Douglas Institute.
Dr. Judes Poirier
Assistant Director
Dr. Judes Poirier was one of the founding members of the StoP-AD Centre in 2010 and remains today its assistant director. Dr. Poirier is a pioneer in biomedical research on the causes and treatments of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It was at the Andrus Gerontology Centre in Los Angeles that he identified the primordial role of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in the reparation of brain cells. This breakthrough was shortly followed by a second important discovery which brought to light a genetic variant of apoE which substantially increases the risk of developing the common form of Alzheimer's disease. In 1995 and 1996, he identified a series of genes which carry genetic variations that allow us to predict whether certain types of medication will work in a given patient. In some circles, he is considered one of the founders of central nervous system pharmacogenomics. Recently, his team identified a new protective gene involved in the etiopathology of Alzheimer`s disease which paves the way for new therapeutic approaches based on the biology of cholesterol.
Jennifer Tremblay-Mercier,
M.Sc.
Research Coordinator
(Data sharing and collaborations)
Following my University studies on brain aging, I joined the StoP-AD Centre as a coordinator in 2013. I am currently responsible for relations with research ethics committees and assist the researchers with their grant applications. I make sure to follow up on collaborative projects and encourage the exchange and sharing of research data between researchers.
Gabriel Jean, M.Sc.
.
Research Coordinator
(Scheduling and appointments)
I joined the StoP-AD team as a research coordinator in 2021. I accompany participants throughout the different steps of the research program. I ensure the proper planning and smooth running of participant visits here at the Centre. I also manage the logistical coordination of our projects.
Christine Déry, M.Sc.
Research Coordinator
(Memory clinics and cognitive follow-ups)
I joined the team in May 2022 to manage all matters pertaining to memory clinics. I most notably take care of the preparation of data to be examined, calls to participants, and the management of documents, acting as a link between the Centre and the memory clinics who collaborate with us. I also create the neuropsychological evaluations of our cohort.
Louise Hudon
Research Assistant
Retired from the University of Sherbrooke, I joined the StoP-AD team in December 2018. Since then, I've probably had the pleasure of meeting all of our participants during their annual visits for cognitive tests either in person or online during a virtual visit. I also trained all the research assistants of the Centre for the cognitive evaluations.
Nolan-Patrick Cunningham
Research Assistant
I joined the StoP-AD team as a research assistant in July of 2023, and, as such, my primary tasks include preparing participant visits, administering and scoring neuropsychological tests, and data entry. Since 2024, I have also taken charge of recruitment, which involves communicating with potential participants, evaluating their eligibility, and planning first visits to the research centre. Being fluent in French and English, I take part in the translation of documents, forms, and communications as well.
Aurélie Garrone
Research Assistant
I joined the team as a research assistant in May 2024. My role involves supporting participants throughout the different stages of their visit, ensuring they are well-informed and comfortable throughout their participation. I am also involved in administering and scoring neuropsychological tests and participate in data entry in collaboration with other team members.
Corina Lazarenco
Research Assistant
I joined the StoP-AD team in September 2024 as a research assistant. My main responsibilities involve collecting and entering research data, including administering neuropsychological tests and conducting medical follow-ups, either in person or by phone. I also participate in meetings with the neuropsychologists to review cognitive files.
Réjean Savard
Clinical Research Nurse
Originally from the Saguenay region and having a wealth of nursing experience behind me, I had the privilege of joining the team in April 2025 as a clinical research nurse. I'm responsible for meeting participants to take their vital signs, take blood samples, document their medical history, and carry out various related tasks. Our research area is particularly close to my heart, as I have family members with the disease, and I'm hoping to make my own contribution to understanding and eventually treating it. An epicurean at heart, with a passion for travel and the outdoors, I believe deeply in the power of teamwork to move forward together!
Laurence Maligne Bruneau, MT
Medical Technologist
I joined Dr. Judes Poirier's team as a research assistant in June 2023. My role includes the management of the biobank of participant biosamples, laboratory maintenance and upkeep, biosample analysis, and the transfer of results into our database. As a medical technologist, I also perform blood draws and inquire about the general health of our participants, including their current medication.
Jean-Michel Raoult
Programmer/Developer
Since October 2022, I maintain, develop, and implement different computer software tools used in the collection, organization, and sharing of data obtained during participant visits.
Alumni
Elisabeth Sylvain
Research Assistant
.
Dr. Julie Bailly
.
Research Coordinator
(Prevent-AD cohort)