25 June 2017

The Canada Research Chairs program (CRC) has granted a total of $4.2 million for the renewal of three research chairs at the Université de Sherbrooke. The three professors, Brahim Benmokrane, Jean-Paul Praud, and Raymund J. Wellinger received $1.4 million respectively to pursue their advanced research in civil engineering, molecular genetics as well as pediatric pneumology.

Canada Research Chair in Composite Materials Used for Civil Engineering Structures        

Brahim Benmokrane is researching fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. These materials are receiving much interest and are increasingly being used in the construction or the reparation of structures, and the researcher is advancing knowledge by studying their properties, their effectiveness and their durability. He is also working on designing elements of hybrid structures or made of a single material for transportation infrastructure, structures for buildings, or in the energy production and transportation sectors.

Canada Research Chair in Neonatal Respiratory Physiology

Jean-Paul Praud uses models of newborn lambs to better understand the respiratory control pathologies in newborns and infants. Through complex mathematical analysis of physiological signals—such as breathing and cardiac activity – researchers can detect anomalies in their control systems. Professor Praud hopes to use these techniques to more effectively prevent these anomalies.

He is also interested in an inflammation of the brain in the area that controls breathing, which was detected in autopsies and could be the cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). His objective is to identify the neonatal situations which cause this inflammation in order to better prevent it from leading to sudden death.

Canada Research Chair in Telomere Biology 

Raymund J. Wellinger is studying certain basic questions concerning the biology of the ends of chromosomes, called “telomeres”. This field of research is closely linked to new treatments for cancer. Professor Wellinger’s research led to the creation of a private biotechnology company. He continues to create new research tools to help apply knowledge of the biology of telomeres for the well-being of Canadians. His research projects are deepening our knowledge of molecular and enzymatic mechanisms to develop new approaches to possible cancer treatments, but also to maintain our chromosomes during ageing, a subject studied in his association with the Research Centre on Aging.

Sources: Université de Sherbrooke and La Tribune
Photo credits:  UdeS