Training

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.

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?