Sarah Nahlé, trainee in the IRCM Technology Transfer Office
Bringing science to patients, on the wings of innovation
NB: This series of encounters highlights the diversity of the members of the IRCM community, the variety of their expertise and the depth of their commitment to their respective roles
The future looks bright for Sarah Nahlé. Having just successfully defended her doctoral thesis in molecular biology at the IRCM, after several years of research focusing on the study of skeletal muscle progenitor diversity and myocyte fusion (in relation to the mechanisms underlying muscle development), the young scientist, who until recently worked in Dr. Jean-François Côté's laboratory, has just started an internship with the IRCM Technology Transfer Office. In fact, she is inaugurating this brand-new internship opportunity at the Institute. It's an adventure that satisfies her need to work in science, but not on the bench.
For the time being, I won't be doing any research bench work, but I'm very interested in helping researchers get the most out of their discoveries. It's been a month and a half since I started this internship, and I'm learning a lot.It's extremely stimulating. I encourage students to consider a career like this.
Working alongside Dr. Peiman Shooshtarizadeh and Dr. Nadia Dubé, Sarah learns to understand the intricacies of discovery commercialization. It's a complex world of rules, partnerships and contacts. The art of understanding researchers, but also an ecosystem that is difficult to penetrate for neophytes, is an essential skill for those who work in this field, where Sarah happily navigates. She's passionate about being the link between scientists and industry, so that new advances can mature and be marketed for the benefit of patients.
In this role, one works alongside researchers who generate results to transfer knowledge, discoveries, technologies or new molecules to the clinic, by building start-ups or finding industry partners. One gets involved in research, and it's a diversified job across all the labs: immuno, oncology...There is no need to be an expert, but one can use their general understanding of science.
A multitude of projects are submitted. Some are selected for their high potential, then analyzed externally with the help of entities dedicated to commercialization, such as Axelys, a non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate the development and transfer of high-potential innovations ofpublic research, but also with a constellation of other public and private collaborators.
At the IRCM, this work of valorization is a priority, so that the precious fruits of the scientists' labours reach their full healing potential.
At the end of her six-month internship, Sarah has every intention of continuing down the path of research commercialization. With the solid background she has acquired at the IRCM, we can predict that she will go far, and that many scientists will benefit from her support.
Bravo Sarah, for such a promising path!
