Pablo Valdes-Donoso, DVM, MPVM, MS, PhD

16 May 2025

Contact information

Research interests

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Production management
  • Sustainable livestock production

Pablo’s research focuses on understanding how economic incentives for production can affect animal, human, and environmental health. He regularly uses statistical tools, including machine learning, time series, network analysis, system dynamics and regression models, to analyze health-related issues in different production contexts. He has participated in national and international conferences, led quantitative workshops, taught university courses, collaborated with researchers from various countries, and authored several peer-reviewed publications and popular articles.

Members of the laboratory

André Diler, BSc

MSc candidate

andre.diler@umontreal.ca

Dalia Belaid

MSc candidate

dalia.belaid@umontreal.ca

Ifeoluwa Ruth Olonijolu

MSc candidate

ifeoluwa.ruth.olonijolu@umontreal.ca

Rezwan Ghaffarzadeh Derakhshan

MSc candidate

rezwan.ghaffarzadeh.derakhshan@umontreal.ca

Laura Sánchez Mendoza, MSc

PhD candidate

laura.sanchez@umontreal.ca

Ralph Jean-Pierre, MSc, PhD

Postdoc

ralph.jean-pierre@umontreal.ca

Publications

SEE SCOPUS

Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo, PhD

12 May 2025

Contact information

Research interests

  • Reproductive system diseases in cattle
  • Metabolic diseases of cattle
  • Calf health

Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo is Professor of Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence in the bioinformatics Department at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), and co-director of the WELL-E Research and Innovation Chair on Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence. He is also director of the Artificial Intelligence axis of the Quebec Reproduction Network.
He founded the Bioinformatics Laboratory at UQÀM in 2007. His research focuses on the design of algorithms and methods for the integration and analysis of heterogeneous biological data. Abdoulaye holds a PhD in computer science from McGill University. He has been a research associate at the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, and a postdoctoral researcher at MIT’s Laboratory for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Members of the laboratory

Hayda Almeida, MSc, PhD
Postdoc fellow
marcia_soares_almeida.hayda@courrier.uqam.ca

Vahid Naghashi
PhD candidate
naghashi.vahid@courrier.uqam.ca

Armand Massoua
PhD candidate
bandiang_massoua.armand@courrier.uqam.ca

Publications

SEE SCOPUS

Julie Hussin, PhD

19 Jul 2024

Address

Research interests

  • IA approaches
  • Cardiofertility multi-omics analyses
  • IA adoption

My research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), human population genetics and multiomics data analysis, with a strong commitment to advancing the implementation of AI methodologies through equitable research practices.

I hope to address key challenges in reproductive health through innovative computational strategies that respect and promote diversity. In developing AI models that are not only predictive but also interpretable and fair, we ensure that they serve all segments of the population effectively. This involves creating algorithms that can adapt to the complex variability of biological data, while being sensitive to the ethical dimensions of AI, such as privacy, data security, and bias mitigation. My approach includes understanding of human genetic diversity, rigorous validation of AI tools within diverse demographic contexts and ensuring that these models perform equitably across different population groups, reporting model facts on fairness with transparency if they do not.

Another key aspect of my work is the establishment and use of databases that serve as valuable resources for the research community, focusing on diversity and inclusivity. These data repositories not only facilitate comprehensive multiomics analyses but also enable researchers to explore the interplay between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in reproductive health. By integrating AI tools into these platforms, we can accelerate the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, ultimately leading to more personalized and effective interventions in reproductive medicine.

Through this network, I help to drive the deployement and adoption of AI in reproductive studies, ensuring that the benefits of these technological advancements are accessible to more researchers and ultimately, all patients.

Members of the laboratory

Alexis Nolin-Lapalme
MD-PhD student
alexis.nolin-lapalme@umontreal.ca

Moustapha Gassama
PhD student
moustapha.gassama@umontreal.ca

Camille Rochefort-Boulanger
PhD student
camille.rochefort-boulanger@umontreal.ca

Pamela Mehanna
Bioinformatician
pamela.mahanna@gmail.com

Raphael Poujol
Bioinformatician
raphael.poujol@gmail.com

Jean-Christophe Grenier
Bioinformatician, laboratory responsible
jean-christophe.grenier@gmail.com

Publications

Xianming Zhang, PhD

19 Jul 2024

Contact information

Research interests

  • Organics contaminants
  • Environmental and analytical chemistry
  • Environmental and molecular modeling

– Environmental sources, processes and impact of organic contaminants

– Long-range transport and long-term impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants

– Passive sampling techniques for monitoring trace organics in the environment

– Gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for organic analysis

– Model development and applications to simulate environmental processes, exposures and impact of organic contaminants

– Human exposures to organic contaminants in daily life

 

Members of the laboratory

Asma Syeda
Undergraduated student
syeda.asma1427@gmail.com

Samira Norouzi
MSc Student
samira.norouzi@concordia.ca

Faraz ILiaee
MSc Student
faraziliaee@gmail.com

Cassandra Johannessen
PhD Student
cassandra.johannessen@mail.concordia.ca

Publications

See Scopus

Sébastien Buczinski, DMV, DÉS, MSc, Dipl. ACVIM

18 Jul 2024

Contact information

Research interests

  • Use of diagnostic tests at the farm
  • Use of predictive models at the farm
  • Health of new-born calves

My interests focus on the need to put research-generated data into action for the users of these projects via knowledge transfer and the generation of practical on-farm applications.

 

Members of the laboratory

Beatriz Delgado Hernandez
Master student
beatriz.delgado.hernandez@umontreal.ca

Jean Silva Ramos
PhD student
jean.silva.ramos@umontreal.ca

AbdelMonem Abdallah Mohamed
PhD student
abd.el.monem.ali@umontreal.ca

Publications

SEE SCOPUS

Kevin Wade, PhD

18 Jul 2024

Contact information

Research interests

  • Research in applied artificial intelligence
  • Big data analysis
  • On-farm management systems

Research in Applied Artificial Intelligence: Various applications (artificial neural networks; case-based reasoning; decision-tree analyses; etc.) have been used in the development of prediction tools for milk production and incidence of disease in dairy cattle.

Big Data Analyses: Through the use of data mining and the investigation of machine-learning technologies, large amounts of milk-recording data are being examined with a view to discovering potential relationships among easily-recorded data and traits of economic interest.

On-farm Management Systems: The development of dairy-cattle lifetime models, helped by advances in data visualization, is allowing producers and advisors to better understand the profitability aspects of their enterprises through the identification of outliers and the impact of poor management decisions.

Members of the laboratory

Publications

See Scopus

Jean-Claude Labbé, PhD

8 Jan 2019

Contact information

Research interests

  • Germ cell division
  • Organization and function of the germinal syncytium
  • Cell polarity and mitosis

My research program aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms that govern cell division during animal development. We specifically focus on studying the different properties of germline stem cells in a classic model organism: the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

One of these properties is stem cell self-renewal. Like all types of stem cells, C. elegans germline stem cells undergo self-renewal through contact with their niche, a single cell named DTC. We seek to understand how these germline stem cells polarize and orient their division axis to maintain contact with the niche, and thus ensure a balance between self-renewal and differentiation.

Another property of germline stem cells studied in my group is their organization as a syncytium, a conserved cellular architecture in which multiple cell nuclei share a common cytoplasm. We seek to understand the molecular mechanisms that control syncytial architecture formation, expansion and maintenance, in order to decipher the fundamental principles that govern this type of tissue organization.

As most C. elegans genes controlling cell division have a homolog in mammals, including humans, our findings using the nematode may guide our understanding of gene function in several diseases, including cancer.

Members of the laboratory

Mohamed Réda Zellag, MSc
PhD student
mohamed.reda.zellag@umontreal.ca

Léa Lacroix, MSc
PhD student
lea.lacroix@umontreal.ca

Kimia Zarnani, MSc
PhD student
kimia.zarnani@umontreal.ca

Eugénie Goupil, PhD
Research councillor
eugenie.goupil@umontreal.ca

Vincent Poupart, MSc
Research agent
vincent.poupart@umontreal.ca

Publications

Voir Scopus

Sophie Petropoulos, PhD

11 Jul 2018

Contact information

Research interests

  • Investigate how the early ex vivo environment modify the methylome, transcriptome and noncoding RNAs of the first three lineages (TE, EPI and PE); thus potentially programmi the placenta and developing fetus for disease and disorder later in life
  • Unravel fundamental aspects of preimplantation embryo development and RNA biology
  • Investigate the role of noncoding RNAs in the lineage formation and programming of the human embryo at a single-cell resolution

It is now well accepted in the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), that the pre-conceptual, intrauterine, and early life environments can have a profound and lasting impact on the developmental trajectories and longer-term health outcomes of the offspring. Studies in both humans and animals have demonstrated that ‘insults’ such as nutritional imbalances, stress and environmental toxins can negatively impact the offspring and perturb development, ultimately ‘programming’ the offspring for an increased incidence of disease and disorder development later in life.  In particular, increased incidences of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, neurocognitive disorders and attention deficit disorder have been reported. Subfertility affects 1 in 6 couples and the use of Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) is on the rise globally. During ART, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), the embryo is cultured ex vivo; an environment that exposes the embryo to numerous sources of ‘preimplantation stress’ – for instance: altered oxygen levels, altered nutrient levels, exogenous hormones and adjuvants therapies, in an attempt to increase live birth rate. Given the dynamic developmental events that occur during the this window, such ‘insults’ may affect not only the viability of the embryo and ability of the blastocyst to implant, but also the developmental trajectory of the cell lineages ultimately influencing placental development and function (the life source for the fetus in utero) and/or the embryo itself.  Such biological alterations may lead to imprinted disorders; altered metabolic and growth pathways; skewed X-inactivation; altered neurodevelopment and suboptimal downstream lineage development and thus organ development; ultimately impacting the long-term health outcome of the child.  Strong scientific evidence investigating the molecular alterations in the embryo during ART are currently lacking and the safety of adjuvant therapies and additives utilized to increase the success rate of IVF and implantation remain to be meticulously investigated.  Studies in the mouse suggest that the environment such as culture media can have a profound impact on placental development, leading to low birth weight; which in itself is associated with suboptimal developmental outcomes.  Studies in children born from ART suggest an increased incidence of imprinted disorders, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.   Merging the fields of DOHaD, Single-Cell Genomics and ART is of critical importance given the potential to unintentionally reprogram future generations with an increased risk for disease and disorder development.

Members of the laboratory

Bouchra Bourdache
BSc student
bouchra.bourdache@umontreal.ca

Eleanore Stohner, BSc
PhD student
eleanore.stohner@umontreal.ca

Katherine Vandal, MSc
PhD student
katherine.vandal.lenghan@umontreal.ca

Savana Biondic, MSc
PhD student
savana.biondic@umontreal.ca

Jesica Canizo, PhD
Postdoc
jesica.romina.canizo@umontreal.ca

Alexandre Brodeur
Lab manager
alexandre.brodeur.chum@ssss.gouv

Cheng Zhao, PhD
Bioinformatician
cheng.zhao@ki.se

Pauline Bazelle
Bioinformatician
pauline.bazelle.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Publications

SEE SCOPUS

Claude Robert, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Transzonal projections
  • RNA transport and management
  • Proteins related to x-fragile syndrome

We are interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms associated with early embryonic development and the application of this knowledge to improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies. In livestock, these technologies are used to disseminate genetics from animals that demonstrate the best performance in the breed to improve the performance of future generations. In addition, we use genomics to characterize the genetic potential of different dairy breeds and even pig breeds in order to improve certain characteristics of economic interest such as fertility, cheese yield or meat quality.

Among the fundamental mechanisms of early development that interest us are several elements associated with ovogenesis. For example, the oocyte (which is the largest cell in the body) grows by mechanisms that are not yet well understood because they are unique in cell biology. For example, in several species of birds, amphibians and large mammals, the first cell divisions take place in the absence of nuclear transcriptional activity. Early blastomeres do not transcribe their genome and protein production is supported by messenger RNAs stored during oogenesis. This storage requires precise management for the stabilization of “dormant” messengers, for their recruitment and even for their destruction since many of these stored mRNAs will never be translated. From an applied point of view, these mechanisms are of interest since the vast majority of embryonic mortality (70%) occurs before the activation period of the embryonic genome.

Our recent work shows that cells around the oocyte send mRNAs along their cellular projections that contact the oocyte. Our hypothesis is that in the absence of its own transcriptional capabilities, the oocyte subcontracts its needs to the cells surrounding it. The advantage of this approach could be that the follicular cells are more closely linked to the endocrine status of the ovary than the oocyte is, thus allowing better synchronization of oocyte quality with the physiological condition of the ovarian follicle.

To study the mechanisms of RNA management, we use a candidate gene approach. We aim to gain insight into a family of proteins: the fragile-X mental retardation related proteins, of which FMR1 is the core member. Although the mechanisms involved are not yet known, FMR1 is currently the main marker of ovarian failure in humans.

Members of the laboratory

Marie-pier Bouchard
MSc student
marie-pier.bouchard.8@ulaval.ca

William Poisson, BSc
PhD student
william.poisson.1@ulaval.ca

Isabelle Laflamme
Lab technician
Isabelle.Laflamme@fsaa.ulaval.ca

Publications

See Scopus

Greg FitzHarris, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Oocyte development
  • Embryogenesis
  • Cell division

One in six couples in Canada experiences infertility. Living a healthy pregnancy becomes more difficult as the mother’s age advances and as the age at which people decide to start an augmented family, the impact of infertility on the health and economy of Canadians will increase accordingly. The ability to produce healthy eggs (oocytes) that can be fertilized into developing embryos is a major component in establishing a healthy pregnancy. There is very little knowledge about the cell biology of oocytes and early embryos and what determines their developmental potential.

Our lab addressed this question using a combination of genetic and microscopic approaches. Our studies constitute fundamental research projects with the mouse as a study model and also translational projects in collaboration with fertility clinics to examine the determinants essential to the good health of human oocytes and embryos. Our main long-term goal is to better understand the biology of the oocyte and embryo in order to improve treatments in fertility clinics. The laboratory’s research program is currently divided into three main areas:

  1. Chromosomal segregation and aneuploidy in oocytes.
  2. The causes and consequences of chromosome division errors in embryos.
  3. The use of early mammalian embryos to study specific aspects of their cell division.

Members of the laboratory

Sydney Cohen
MSc student
sydney.cohen.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Helia Rose Motamedi
MSc student
helia.rose.motamedi@umontreal.ca

Filip Vasilev, PhD
Postdoc
fvasilev@yahoo.com

Aleksandar Mihajlovic, PhD
Postdoc
aleksandar.mihajlovic00@gmail.com

Gaudeline Remillard-Labrosse, PhD
Research assistant
gaudeline.remillard.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Publications

SEE SCOPUS

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