2023
The first results of the field work at the RUFRC are finally getting published, in Science! By comparing 23 bird species (21 of which were wild-caught), we found a strong positive relationship between vocal learning complexity and problem-solving abilities (but not with the other cognitive traits we measured). Our results also revealed that the species displaying the most complex vocal learning had larger brains!
The first results of the field work at the RUFRC are finally getting published, in Science! By comparing 23 bird species (21 of which were wild-caught), we found a strong positive relationship between vocal learning complexity and problem-solving abilities (but not with the other cognitive traits we measured). Our results also revealed that the species displaying the most complex vocal learning had larger brains!
2022
I had the pleasure of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vassar AND Marist Colleges. A crazy but great semester working with amazing faculty colleagues and students.
I was invited to give a seminar at the excellent Animal Cognition Research Center (CRCA) within the Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI) in Toulouse, France. A very nice place with awesome people doing outstanding research!
2021
I am looking for a student to work in my laboratory at the RUFRC. The candidate will have the opportunity to learn exciting methods on bioacoustics and possibly laboratory experiments. 🎵 🔬 Please contact me if interested.
2020
The last fieldwork season at the RUFRC is now finished, after 4 years of fun but incredibly intense work. Thanks to all the birds who participated in this research, you will be missed.
I was invited at the New Mexico State University by Prof. Tim Wright to give a seminar about my research and train his students on in situ hybridizations. I had a wonderful time there and felt extremely welcome by Tim and his talented and kind students. The day before my scheduled seminar, I had to fly back home, as the Covid pandemic started at this exact moment 🤷♂️. Fortunately, we arranged a virtual seminar in the following month to make it happen.
2019
We had the chance to receive Carina Scivolette, an undergraduate student from Binghamton University. She participated in many aspects of my research. Carina is a talented, motivated and very pleasant person to work with! Thank you so much Carina for your help!
In situ hybridizations are up and running at the RUFRC.
I received a Banting postdoctoral fellowship, the most prestigious postdoctoral award given by the Canadian government. 😮
2018
The fieldwork has begun at the RUFRC!
The results of my main Ph.D. project are published in Science Advances! We discovered that the density of glutamate receptors in the brain is associated with innovative problem-solving. See research page for a summary of our results.
I am working on the reopening of the RUFRC. With the help of William Gale (Tim), I built a bird behavior lab and a molecular wet lab.
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2017
I was awarded an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship for two years. 😊
I am moving to the USA! I will be a postdoc in the lab of Prof. Erich Jarvis at the Rockefeller University Field Research Center (RUFRC).
I earned my Ph.D. from McGill University in Ecology/Neurobiology. 🎓
2016
Andrew Hendry invited me to publish a BLOG on his website about my research on behavior and urbanization in Barbados.
I'm teaching a course on "Science in the media" to an art class at McGill. A fantastic teaching exercise with a different audience! 👨🏫
2015
I presented my urbanization research at the Conservation, Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour retreat and won the prize for best presentation. 🥇
We found that birds living in urban environments are better at solving problems and more immunocompetent than their rural counterparts. I'm giving interviews non-stop!
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2014
I'm travelling to North Carolina again, this time to perform in situ hybridizations on my samples in the lab of Prof. Jarvis. The plan is to hybridize slides with probes targeting ~ 40 genes . That'a A LOT of in situs. Here are just a few.
I am bringing my students for a field course in the magnificient Mount Royal park in the heart of Montreal. We are measuring the colonization area of an invasive plant (wild chervil). Couldn't find a better place to be on a sunny afternoon!
2013
I am now at Harvard University to collaborate with Dr. Lauren O'Connell on the transcriptome sequencing of our Barbados bird species. 🧬
I am visiting Prof. Erich Jarvis at Duke University to collaborate on a project on the neurobiology of innovative problem-solving in birds. I'm extracting DNA, slicing and collecting tissues for RNA-Seq. That's a lots of samples to analyze!
First Ph.D. paper is out! We discovered independent appearances of a behavioral innovation in the Barbados bullfinch.
First Ph.D. paper is out! We discovered independent appearances of a behavioral innovation in the Barbados bullfinch.
2012
I presented my work to the honorable David Johnston (Governor General of Canada) during his visit in Barbados.
Field work has begun at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados! Below is a video showing the first version of our cognitive tasks.
I moved back to Montréal to start a Ph.D. with Prof. Louis Lefebvre. 🚚
2011
I obtained an M.Sc degree in Neuroscience in the lab of Prof. Julien. 🎓 My research focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
2009
I graduated in Biology from Laval University. 🎓
2006
At the TG core facility, we now offer ES cell microinjection, in vitro fertilization, cryopreservation, ovary transplant, and derivation.
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2005
The first transgenic mouse at the CRCHUQ TG core facility was born.
2004
The transgenesis core facility at the CHUQ research center is now open!
2003
Prof. Julien is moving to Québec city! He offered me a position to assist him in the creation of the first transgenesis core facility in Québec city, and to help in the establishment of his laboratory. 🚚
2002
I started working as a lab technician in the lab of Prof. Jean-Pierre Julien (McGill). I'm responsible of the mice colony and learning lots of new laboratory techniques. 📈
2001
My duties at the MGHRI now include animal care ❤️
2000
I began my journey in the world of research! I started working at the sterilization unit of the animal facility at the Montreal General Hospital Research Institute (McGill University).