For over half a century, IRCM has contributed to the development and training of new generations of scientists from around the world.
Each year, as part of its summer undergraduate internship program, the Institute offers promising young scientists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of research laboratories, as a way to feed the flame and create scientific vocations.
Among the 2024 summer cohort, meet Christophe P. Lapointe, a trainee in the Molecular Physiology Unit headed by Dr. Mathieu Ferron, and a third-year Honor's student in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at Université de Montréal.
Christophe shares his background and aspirations:
Where does your interest in biomedical research come from?
From an early age, I felt a desire to help others and save lives. However, it was towards the end of high school, during an observation period in Dr. David Langlais' laboratory at the McGill Genome Centre, that biomedical research caught my attention. Since then, I've taken the path towards becoming a biomedical researcher and helping people in my own way.
Tell us about your summer internship at the IRCM in 2024.
It was after I got in contact with Dr. Mathieu Ferron that I decided to come to the IRCM. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Ferron as a professor in one of my undergraduate courses. Thanks to our many interactions throughout the course, I chose to join his laboratory at the IRCM. What's more, I have to admit that the IRCM's reputation and important role on the Quebec research scene were also factors that attracted me to it.
My time at IRCM has been most instructive and enjoyable. The fact that I'm in a recognized institution means that I can rub shoulders with seasoned people and mentors, from whom I can learn a great deal. This is what makes my experience at IRCM so remarkable as I come away with the impression of having acquired a wealth of knowledge, as well as benefiting from a caring environment. In addition, under the mentorship of Dr. Ferron and Dr. Lacombe, I was able to develop skills specific to my field by carrying out multiple experiments, participating in discussions and creating tools. In this way, I've grown tremendously at the IRCM and acquired an education that will not only help me to be a better scientist, but also a better person.
After this internship, what was the next step for you?
The next step was already mapped out for me. Because of the structure of my program, I was required to do a second research internship. Following my positive experience at the IRCM, I've decided to continue my training within these same walls with a fall internship in Dr. Éric Lecuyer's laboratory in the fall of 2024. This new internship introduced me to a new field of study, as I moved from a proteomics-focused lab to one concentrating on RNA.
Following these two internships in my undergraduate program, it was obvious to me that I wanted to pursue a career in research. Chatting with Dr. Jacques Drouin and his team in the cafeteria and corridors, I sensed a growing interest to learn more about endocrinology. So, in the spring of 2025, I began a third internship that will continue into the summer in his laboratory, still at the IRCM.
This internship will give me the opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in affiliation with McGill University's Experimental Medicine program, or to enter the world of endocrinology directly, should I be admitted to a medical program. I would like to underline the support and open-mindedness of the IRCM scientists with regard to this reality.
What is your long-term goal?
My long-term goal would be to continue in the world of biomedical sciences, moving closer to clinical research. I aspire to study medicine and become a research physician. For me, success is anything that enables me to share my skills and passions with others, so as to help prevent or cure diseases that rob people of the privilege of healthy aging or even aging altogether. I'm also keen to have a very varied practice and to touch on aspects of research management, funding and leadership. To accomplish all this would be my definition of success.
Beyond academic activities, tell us about what drives you in life.
Beyond academic activities, I'm involved in the community in different ways. Giving back to the community is important to me. In recent years, I've rounded out my already busy weeks by creating a baseball sports association, coaching several sports, tutoring and volunteering for organizations such as Leucan and the Association sclérose en plaques Rive-Sud. Finally, I'm involved with the Biochemistry and Bioinformatics student association at the Université de Montréal.
In my life, the balance between studies, sport and social life is crucial, and it's important for me to find it in my various commitments.
