D2R | DNA to RNA

Building the Future of Indigenous Genomics: D2R, Kahnawà:ke and SING Canada 2026

Roberta Santangelo — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:57:44 +0000

Last week, D2R was proud to help host and support Indigenous students, researchers, community fellows, and faculty from across Turtle Island as they gathered in Montréal and Kahnawà:ke for SING Canada 2026 (Summer internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics).

Trainee Spotlight: Benjamin Kaufman

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:34:12 +0000

Hi Benjamin, thank you for joining me for this chat! You are a Doctoral student working in Claude Bhérer’s group and are a D2R Scholar. Why did you decide to apply for the award?

When the awards were announced, I read through D2R’s Foundational Axes and saw things like data science and social determinants of health – I know that these are areas that my research touches on that could fit well into the D2R community, so I decided to apply. And the emphasis on not just getting an award but also joining a community also played a big role.

Beyond Breakthroughs: Advancing Equity in the Age of Genomic Medicine

Biljana Vasilevska — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:16:17 +0000

The rapid advancement of genomic science is a marvel. Decades worth of quiet, basic research on the structure and function of RNA has, in the past few years, expanded to technologies and treatments for infectious diseases, rare genetic diseases, and even cancer. Alongside this advancement, some fundamental questions remain.

Trainee Spotlight: Gaëlle Akiki

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:24:46 +0000

Hi Gaëlle, I am looking forward to learning more about you and your research! You are currently doing your PhD at the RI-MUHC working in the lab of Basile Tessier-Cloutier. Can you briefly describe your journey as an international student that led you to 91˿��Ƶ?

Trainee Spotlight: Michael Trinh

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:05:47 +0000

Hi Michael, I am glad to be chatting with you today. You are supervised by Professor Ciriaco Piccirillo at the RI-MUHC and are a D2R Master’s Scholar. What first made you interested in D2R?

I was a newcomer to 91˿��Ƶ in terms of my academic career, starting my Master’s in Fall 2024. Coming from the University of Toronto, I was unaware of what resources were available for different areas of biomedical research at 91˿��Ƶ. I found D2R and was excited to see this translational community that is aligned with the work that I am currently doing for my thesis.

Trainee Spotlight: Kate Bornais

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:49:02 +0000

Hi Kate, thanks for talking to me! You are a D2R Doctoral Scholar supervised by Professor Guy Rouleau. What made you think that you might be a good candidate for this award and why were you interested in becoming part of the D2R community?

Trainee Spotlight: Ibrahim Soumana Adamou

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:31:31 +0000

Hi Ibrahim, thanks for sitting down with me for this interview! You are doing your PhD at the Université de Sherbrooke supervised by Professor Karine Choquet and are a D2R Doctoral Scholar. How did you learn about D2R and what made you want to apply for the award?

Trainee Spotlight: Caitlin Atkinson

Anthony Van Kessel — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:46:10 +0000

Hi Caitlin, thanks for joining me for this interview! You are doing your PhD at 91˿��Ƶ supervised by Professor Benoit Gentil and are a D2R Doctoral Scholar. How did you learn about D2R and what made you want to apply for the award?

Where Research Converges: Recap of D2R Research Symposium 2026

Rachel M. — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:10:59 +0000

As the doors opened bright and early on April 23 and 24, the excitement was palpable as nearly 300 people arrived at the Centre Mont Royal for D2R’s annual Research Symposium. The event doubled in size from the inaugural event just over a year ago, emphasizing the momentum and rapid growth of the D2R community. Now entering its fourth year, D2R continues to expand and reach beyond the borders of provinces, countries, and even areas of research.

Shaping The Future: Insights into the D2R Training Program

Rachel M. — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:35:27 +0000

At the DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R), training is not just a complement to research, it’s a defining feature of the program. As momentum from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring RNA-based therapeutics to the forefront of medicine, D2R is investing in the future: the next generation of researchers. D2R’s training program is designed to prepare graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for the realities of the interdisciplinary modern science landscape.

Training that integrates, collaborates, and delivers real‑world impact.