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		<title>FRSQ : What's New?</title>
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		<description>What's New?</description>
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			<title>FRSQ : What's New?</title>
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			<title>Launch of the Étudiants-chercheurs étoile Award</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/lancement-du-concours-etudiants-chercheurs-etoile/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=822e0f4805fcb2e0742a9b2801f7a601</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[Québec’s Chief Scientist Rémi Quirion is pleased to announce the launch of the <em>Étudiants-chercheurs étoile</em> <em>Award</em>, a competition spearheaded by the three Fonds de recherche du Québec.
In addition to promoting careers in research, the competition aims to recognize the exceptional research contributions of college and university students, postdoctoral fellows and members of professional bodies who are enrolled in advanced research training programs in the areas covered by the three Fonds.
Every month, each Fonds will award $1 000 to a student researcher. An overview of the recipient’s project and a photo of the recipient will be featured on the portal of the chief scientist of Québec at <link http://www.frq.gouv.qc.ca/>www.frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>.
 
<strong>Application deadlines: March 1 and September 1, 2012 </strong>
<link http://www.frq.gouv.qc.ca/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=11539&folderId=10910&name=DLFE-408.pdf><strong>Presentation and rules</strong></link><strong> </strong>
<link http://www.frq.gouv.qc.ca/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=11539&folderId=10910&name=DLFE-402.pdf><strong>Application form</strong></link><strong> </strong>(In French)
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Information</strong>
<strong>Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT)</strong>
<link prixetoile.nt@frq.gouv.qc.ca?subject=Prix%20%C3%89tudiants-chercheurs%20%C3%A9toile>prixetoile.nt@frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>
<strong>Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)</strong>
<link prixetoile.sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca?subject=Prix%20%C3%89tudiants-chercheurs%20%C3%A9toile>prixetoile.sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>
<strong>Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC)</strong>
<link prixetoile.sc@frq.gouv.qc.ca?subject=Prix%20%C3%89tudiants-chercheurs%20%C3%A9toile>prixetoile.sc@frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:32:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Executive changes at the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/des-changements-a-la-direction-du-fonds-de-recherche-du-quebec-sante/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=4a7b6a6c5ecdc407aee563158a3c5d17</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[Rémi Quirion, chief scientist of Québec and chairman of the board of directors of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), has announced the appointments of Claude Lazure, Ph.D. as interim scientific director, effective early January 2012 and of Dr. Michel Bureau as an adviser to the FRQS, effective January 2012.
A researcher at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Claude Lazure has been a scientific adviser to the Fonds’ research centre program for the past 10 years and is very familiar with the organization. He has also served on several of the Fonds’ evaluation committees.
Mr. Lazure’s appointment follows the departure of Viviane Poupon, who was the interim scientific director of the Fonds until today. Ms. Poupon has accepted a high-level administrative position at the Montréal Neurological Institute.
President and CEO of the Fonds from 1996 to 2003, Michel Bureau will bring his clinical research expertise to the organization, especially in matters pertaining to the Québec Biopharmaceutical Strategy and the development of clinical research in Québec in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
“I would like to thank Viviane Poupon for her hard work and express my gratitude to Claude Lazure, who will support the Fonds team during this transition period. I would also like to thank Michel Bureau for his future contributions to our clinical research and biopharmaceutical initiatives,” said Rémi Quirion.
 
<strong>About the FRQS </strong>
<strong>About the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)</strong>
The mission of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé, which reports to the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, is to support health research to foster the wellness of Quebec’s population. Its mandate is to promote and financially support this research, to share knowledge and train researchers, as well as to establish partnerships necessary for the development of Quebec's research and innovation system and advance the research internationally. For more information, visit <link http://www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca/ _blank>www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca</link>.
<p style="text-align: center;">- 30 -</p>
<strong>INFORMATION</strong>
Michelle Dubuc<br /> FRQS<br /> 514 873-2114, ext. 235<br /> <link michelle.dubuc@frq.gouv.qc.ca>michelle.dubuc@frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>A message from the chief scientitist of Québec</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/message-du-scientifique-en-chef-du-quebec/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=c378a9fd7ade0f10adffafdfe4ab23bc</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[After three very stimulating months as chief scientist, I am still very impressed by the excellence and variety of the projects undertaken by our researchers and students. Along with our partners, we must ensure that this work not only continues but intensifies in all of the activity sectors covered by the three Fonds.
Since assuming my duties as chief scientist, I served as the chairman of the board of directors of each Fonds for the first time. Our meetings led to productive discussions, and the members of the three boards are committed to ensuring the development and excellence of research in the province. I also began my university visits and very much look forward to meeting with each of you to exchange ideas on the future of research in Québec.
The Cabinet has just announced the appointment of Maryse Lassonde as scientific director of the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies. The names of the scientific directors of the two other Fonds are expected to be announced in early 2012. In late October, Minister Sam Hamad announced Ms. Julie Payette’s appointment as scientific authority for Québec in Washington. Part of her mandate is to increase the number of research partnerships between the United States and Québec.
<strong>The new Étudiant-chercheur étoile award</strong><br /> To recognize the exceptional contribution of our students and postdoctoral researchers to the development and excellence of research in Québec and valorize scientific careers, the three Fonds will launch the Étudiant-chercheur étoile award in 2012. The honour will be presented every month by each Fonds. I certainly hope that our monthly stars will become as known and acclaimed as the three stars on Hockey Night in Canada! Program details will be released shortly.
<strong>Submit your intersectoral project proposals</strong><br /> Part of my mandate is focused on intersectoral research development, so please send me your comments and suggestions (<link remi.quirion@frq.gouv.qc.ca>remi.quirion@frq.gouv.qc.ca</link>) ) regarding possible topics for future large-scale intersectoral projects (e.g. the Plan Nord, population aging, personalized medicine, the impacts of art and culture on our quality of life, sustainable development and climate change, education, etc.) by <strong>February 29, 2012</strong>.
Your proposal (maximum 5 pages) must consider these criteria:
<ul> <li>Niche for Québec and international leadership.</li> <li> Involvement of researchers affiliated with each Fonds and the excellence of the researchers and/or research teams.</li> <li>Training program based on a new intersectoral and interdisciplinary model.</li> <li>Potential for public and private partnerships in Québec, Canada and abroad.</li> <li>Relevance to the priorities set out in the Québec Research and Innovation Strategy.</li> <li>Funding required to yield impacts. </li> </ul>
A sub-committee made up of members of the board of directors of each Fonds, the three scientific directors and the chief scientist will assess the proposals according to these criteria and recommend a maximum of five projects to the Ministère for funding.
We are counting on you to ensure that the topics are driven by the excellence of our researchers from the three Fonds and the development of a new generation of highly innovative and skilled researchers who are competitive at the national and international levels. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
<strong>Invitation to take part in the  <em>24 heures de science</em>event</strong> <br /> Finally, as you know, the dissemination of scientific and technical culture is very important to me, and I am fascinated by the tremendous communication potential of the projects carried out with the support of the Fonds de recherche du Québec. This is why I encourage you to take part in the 24 heures de science event, a day during which all scientific and technological organizations across Québec are invited to plan activities for the general public. In 2011, 260 activities were held in 17 regions, and over 20 000 people took part. Recognized by UNESCO, this event has been steadily gaining in popularity.
The seventh edition of the<link http://www.sciencepourtous.qc.ca/doc/24h/Doc-promo-2012-v1.pdf _blank><em>24 heures de science</em></link> will be held on May 11 and 12, 2012. This year’s theme is water in every way, shape and form! <strong>All of the organizations that work in collaboration with the Fonds de recherche du Québec are warmly invited to host activities for the public or school groups as part of this event.</strong> There is a wide range of options: animation, expeditions in nature, lab visits, conferences, science cafés, scientific competitions, films, etc. The activities may be focused on any scientific or technical discipline, including biology, the environment, health, astronomy, the natural sciences, engineering and many more.
All activities for the general public must be registered before February 1, 2012. Activities for school groups must be registered by March 21, 2012. For more information, contact  <link ppoisson@sciencepourtous.qc.ca>Perrine Poisson</link>
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy the year’s end!
<strong>Visit the portal of the chief scientist at <link http://www.frq.gouv.qc.ca/en/web/le-portail-du-scientifique-en-chef/ _blank>www.frq.gouv.qc.ca</link></strong>
<img src="http://www.frsq.gouv.qc.ca/signature_quirion.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="76" />
Rémi Quirion, Ph.D., CQ, OC, MSRC]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:24:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>The FRQS publishes the new Recherche en santé</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/parution-du-nouveau-recherche-en-sante/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=c56b5ca5070fb948ba2526c543b19929</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[The new copy of <em>Recherche en santé</em> is now available online, click <link http://www.frsq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/publications/recherche_en_sante.shtml _blank>here</link> to access (In French).
You can also subscribe to receive a paper version. For so, send your informations to<link webmestre.sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca - lien "Courriel du webmestre"> Webmestre</link>.
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			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:33:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Two major projects selected by the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund bring together leading researchers from Québec </title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/deux-projets-denvergure-selectionnes-par-le-fonds-dinnovation-pfizer-frqs-regroupent-des-chercheur/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=74f2f6247d9ccb2c2844714a0303fb06</link>
			<description>Research to establish a new therapeutic strategy for HIV and develop a predictive molecular test to determine skin cancer outcomes
</description>
			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[Two research projects will be funded as part of the third competition of the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund. The initiatives aim to establish a new therapeutic strategy for HIV and develop a molecular test to predict skin cancer outcomes. These innovative projects mobilize multidisciplinary teams of eminent researchers in Québec’s leading institutions. Created in March 2008, the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund aims to support human health research projects in Québec.
Selected by the scientific evaluation committee of the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund, which is made up of world-renowned experts, the projects will receive funding over three years in the amounts of $597 880 and $570 139, respectively. The research project entitled <em>Impact des inhibiteurs intracellulaires du DCIR dans la pathogenèse de l’infection au VIH-1 </em>[Effects of intracellular inhibitors of DCIR in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection] is led by Caroline Gilbert, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Microbiology-Infectiology and Immunology at Université Laval and researcher at the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec. Dr. Denis Sasseville, dermatologist and researcher at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, will lead the project entitled <em>Développement d’un nouveau test moléculaire basé sur la technologie d’analyse de l’ADN par annelage, sélection, extension et épissage (DASL) pour la prédiction de l’issue de la maladie chez les patients porteurs de lymphomes cutanés à cellules T </em>[Development of a new molecular test based on DNA annealing, selection and ligation technology to predict illness outcomes in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma].
“These two major projects are excellent examples of research with high technology transfer and marketing potential. Through our very successful partnership with Pfizer, seven important projects have been funded as part of three Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund competitions,” declared Rémi Quirion, Québec’s chief scientist and chairman of the board of directors of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.
“I would like to congratulate the winning researchers on their projects and entrepreneurship. This initiative is an excellent illustration of the ways in which the partnership between Pfizer and the FRQS supports research projects that could lead to promising new drugs,” affirmed Paul Lévesque, president of Pfizer Canada. “To remain competitive at the international level, we must be perceived as a centre of excellence. This program helps bring together stakeholders in the life sciences sector.”
The fourth and last Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund competition is currently underway, and the results will be announced in April 2012.
<strong>A new therapeutic strategy for HIV</strong>
Despite research and drug development progress, there is still no way of eradicating HIV-1 infection. Researcher Caroline Gilbert has contributed to studies showing that dendritic cells play a role in the pathogenesis of the infection in terms of virus transmission and immune response development. Found in mucous membranes, they are the first cells able to capture HIV through receptors including DCIR (dendritic cell immunoreceptor). None of the drugs currently available are known to have positive effects on the quality of the immune responses or the interaction of the virus and dendritic cells. Driven by its recent discoveries, the four-member research team (Jean Legault and André Pichette at UQAC and Petronela Ancuta at the CHUM) is seeking to set out a new therapeutic strategy for HIV that blocks DCIR receptors to limit the transmission of the virus by dendritic cells. In fact, the interest of DCIR is twofold, since TCD4 lymphocytes also express the receptor following infection. DCIR inhibitors could therefore act on two cell types that play active roles in virus transmission.
<strong>A molecular test to predict skin cancer outcomes</strong>
Cutaneous T cell lymphomas constitute a group of skin cancers characterized by the accumulation of malignant T cells in the skin. In most cases, the prognosis is good for patients diagnosed when the disease is in its early stages and benign. However, the disease will progress and eventually lead to death in 15 to 20% of cases. Currently, there is no clinical criterion to determine which patients will receive a bad prognosis. The team led by Dr. Sasseville will work to develop a molecular test based on gene expression to identify these patients. The test will make it possible to detect and provide early treatment for patients at high risk of progression and spare low-risk patients the costly and toxic treatments and unnecessary tests. Researchers Jimmy Alain (CHUQ), Fatemeh Jafarian (MUHC), Elham Rahme (MUHC) and Nathalie Provost (CHUM) make up the research team.
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /> </span>
<strong>About the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund </strong>
Created in 2008 as part of the Quebec government's research and innovation strategy, the Pfizer-FRQS Innovation Fund is aimed at stimulating public-sector research in human health in Quebec and acting as a catalyst for the commercialization of innovative projects. Projects submitted must not only address major human health problems, but also be large-scale initiatives. In addition, they must aim for concrete results that can lead to the commercialization of new therapeutic drugs, new know-how or new devices or technologies within three to five years.
<strong>About the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)</strong>
The mission of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé, which reports to the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, is to support health research to foster the wellness of Quebec’s population. Its mandate is to promote and financially support this research, to share knowledge and train researchers, as well as to establish partnerships necessary for the development of Quebec's research and innovation system and advance the research internationally. The FRQS supports the activities of 11 groups, 19 centres and 16 thematic research networks. For more information, visit <link http://www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca/>www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca</link>.
<strong>About Pfizer Canada Inc. </strong>
Pfizer Canada is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., the world's leading pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer Canada is a leader in Canadian healthcare research, investing more than $137 million in research and development activities, contributions and partnerships in 2008. The company has invested more than $1 billion in R&D since 2000. Pfizer Canada's commitment to helping Canadians live happier, healthier and longer lives extends beyond medication. To learn more about Pfizer Canada's More than Medication philosophy and programs, visit <link http://www.morethanmedication.ca>www.morethanmedication.ca</link>.
<em> </em>
<p style="text-align: center;">- 30 -</p>
<strong>INFORMATION</strong>
<strong> </strong>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="423" valign="top"> <p>Michelle Dubuc<br /> Communications<br /> Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé<br /> Telephone: 514 873-2114,   ext. 235<br /> <link mdubuc@frsq.gouv.qc.ca>mdubuc@frsq.gouv.qc.ca</link></p> </td> <td width="215" valign="top"> <p>Andrea Gilpin<br /> Communications<br /> Pfizer<br /> Telephone: 514 693-4619<br /> <link andrea.gilpin@pfizer.com>andrea.gilpin@pfizer.com</link></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>International competitions : two research teams from Quebec to receive funding</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/concours-internationaux-deux-equipes-quebecoises-financees/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=f3d532a20f051138f78b830364eb474f</link>
			<description>Québec’s international positioning in health research : 
two research teams from Québec specializing in cerebrovascular disease and diabetes to receive funding as part of international competitions</description>
			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Fonds de recherche du Québec &#8722; Santé (FRQS) is pleased to announce that two research teams from Québec will be funded as part of competitions organized by European partners and the FRQS. One of the groups is working to better understand cognitive recovery following a stroke, while the other is exploring the role of melatonin and its signaling pathways in the development of type 2 diabetes.
<strong>Motor recovery after a stroke</strong>
The team from Québec working on cerebrovascular disease is led by <strong>Julien Doyon</strong>, the scientific director of the Unité de neuroimagerie fonctionnelle of the Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal and director of the Québec Bio-Imaging Network. The researchers will collaborate with groups in Germany, Israel and Italy to study the cognitive recovery process following a stroke and especially motor skill acquisition and motor system plasticity in the elderly and apraxic patients. The goal is to optimize and implement new treatments to enhance motor deficit recovery.
The research team will receive funding as part of the 2011 call for cerebrovascular disease projects launched by ERA-NET Neuron, a European neuroscience research network of which the FRQS is a member. The FRQS has granted $433,282 over three years to the team from Québec. In total, $1.7M was awarded to support the initiative.
This project is among the 10 multinational initiatives selected to receive funding. In total, 29 research teams were invited to submit a full proposal following the evaluation of their letters of intent.
 
<strong>The role of melatonin in type 2 diabetes</strong>
The team from Québec working to determine the role of melatonin receptors in type 2 diabetes is led by <strong>Michel Bouvier</strong>, a researcher at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer and biochemistry professor at Université de Montréal. The researchers will collaborate with groups in France and Germany to carry out a study on the functional characterization of protein mutations in the melatonin signaling pathway in type 2 diabetes patients. Ultimately, the project will help elucidate the role of melatonin in the development of diabetes and pave the way for new therapeutic prospects.
The research team will receive funding as part of a transnational call for projects into metabolic syndrome and related disorders organized by the Agence nationale de recherche (ANR) in France, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany (BMBF) and the Carlos III Institute of Health in Spain, in collaboration with the FRQS. The FRQS has granted $220,750 over three years to the team from Québec. In total, $1.3M was awarded to support the initiative.
The transnational call aims to support multidisciplinary research projects based on the use of pre-existing genomic and post-genomic data to better understand the physiopathology of the syndrome. Just as with the ERA-NET calls, each proposal must be presented by a team of researchers from at least three different countries among those taking part in the call.
This project is among the five initiatives that will receive funding. In total, 27 research teams were invited to submit a full proposal following the evaluation of their letters of intent.
<strong>Information</strong><br /> Nathalie Champagne<br /> Program Manager<br /> FRQS<br /> Telephone: 514-873-2114, ext. 276<br /> <link http://mce_host/cms/nchampagne@frsq.gouv.qc.ca>nchampagne@frsq.gouv.qc.ca</link>]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:23:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>New Chief Scientist website </title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/nouveau-site-web-du-scientifique-en-chef/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=22be007b590c7a96fd688d93a453f98a</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[<link http://www.frq.gouv.qc.ca/web/le-portail-du-scientifique-en-chef/accueil>Visit the new Chief Scientist website</link>]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:09:00 -0400</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Publication of the FRQS annual report of 2010-2011 </title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/publication-du-rapport-annuel-2010-2011/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=a92c71f11b625d41073811e76eb6a06c</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[The FRQS 2010-2011 annual report is now available.
To read the <link http://www.frsq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/publications/rapports_annuels/pdf/FRSQ_rapport_2010_2011.pdf _blank>complete version</link> (only in French) or the <link http://www.frsq.gouv.qc.ca/en/publications/rapports_annuels/pdf/summary_2010_2011.pdf _blank>summary</link>.]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:39:00 -0400</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Message from the Interim Scientific Director to the Board of Directors of the FRQS, the research community and its partners</title>
			<link>/cms/en/what-is-new/item/article/message-du-directeur-scientifique-par-interim-du-frqs-a-la-communaute-de-recherche-et-a-ses-partenai/?no_cache=1&amp;cHash=6b145db927eed325b2acc336ce6b39e5</link>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[This past June, the National Assembly passed the bill reorganizing the three Fonds de recherche du Québec. The decision led to the abolition of the position of CEO of the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) as well as my position as the vice-president of scientific affairs.
At the request of the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and in order to support the scientific community and assist the Chief Scientist in the transition period, I accepted the position of interim Scientific Director. Now, after consulting with the Chief Scientist Rémi Quirion, I believe that I have met this commitment. My mandate as interim scientific director will therefore conclude at the end of September 2011. Though the new scientific director will not yet have taken office, I am confident that Joanne Goldberg and Viviane Poupon, the associate directors of scientific affairs, will ensure the requisite continuity and leadership, backed by an unparalleled team of program officers and managers, scientific advisors and administrative assistants.
It has been a great privilege for me to have led over the past two and a half years the scientific affairs of the FRSQ, which is now the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS). I feel very fortunate to have served our health research community. My experience was filled with stimulating strategic and operational challenges through which I was able to discover the richness, strength, responsiveness and solidarity of Québec’s health research sector, meet exceptional individuals and promote new collaborations here, in Canada and abroad.
I had the honour and pleasure of taking on these challenges with Yves Joanette and counting on the collaboration and great expertise of Joanne Goldberg and Viviane Poupon as well as the support of colleagues in the administrative and communications sectors.
For nearly 50 years, the FRQS has been recognized not only as an agency that funds health research but also as a mobilizing organization that drives, directs, organizes and structures health research in Québec. The close ties between the FRQS and the research community, the directors of the FRSQ research centres, groups and networks and the public and private partners constitute an undeniable asset. The agency stands out for its expertise and the credibility of its peer assessment process. While maintaining its rigorous standards, the FRSQ remains a welcoming, receptive and supportive organization for students, researchers and partners. In the past two and a half years, I hope to have played a part in the evolution and recognition of the FRQS.
Important challenges still lie ahead, and I am confident that the concerted efforts of the new leadership, the chief scientist and the new scientific director will foster the development of health research in Québec and its leadership in Canada and around the world.
I therefore say goodbye and thank you. I also reaffirm my commitment to research in Québec and will continue to contribute to its development and prominence. I will be resuming my academic activities as the Dr. Joseph Kaufmann Chair in Geriatric Medicine and as a Professor of Medicine, Family Medicine and Oncology at McGill University and the Jewish General Hospital.
I hope to have the pleasure of collaborating with each of you once again.
Warmest regards,
Howard Bergman MD, FRCPC<br /> Interim Scientific Director<br /> Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Howard Bergman's mandate with the Department of Scientific Affairs of the FRQS is coming to an end</title>
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			<!-- <content:encoded><![CDATA[Bill 130, that came into effect on July 1, 2011, makes a provision for the reorganization of the Fonds de recherche du Québec, notably by abolishing the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President, Scientific Affairs, as well as creating the position of Scientific Director for each of the Fonds de recherche. Dr. Howard Bergman, Vice-President, Scientific Affairs of the FRSQ since April 2009, chose to accept the interim position as Scientific Director of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS) for a period of three months as of July 1, 2011. Consequently, his mandate ends on September 30, 2011. I would like to extend to him my heartfelt thanks for having overseen all scientific activities of the Fonds during these last two and a half years.
The recruiting process for a Scientific Director has already begun and the appointment should be announced at some point during the Fall period. During this period of transition, Viviane Poupon and Joanne Goldberg, Assistant Directors of Scientific Affairs, will be in charge of the Department of Scientific Affairs.
I wish to thank each and everyone one of you for your cooperation during this period of transition.
 
Rémi Quirion, OC, PhD, CQ, FRSC
Chief Scientist of Québec]]></content:encoded> -->
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			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:36:00 -0400</pubDate>
			
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