Members of the Network’s Steering Committee

Direction Axis directors Finances

DIRECTION

Network’s scientific director

Dr. Pierre Lachapelle, PhD.; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Mc Gill University; Associate Member, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mc Gill University; Adjunct Professor School of Optometry, Université de Montréal; Adjunct Professor Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal. Dr. Lachapelle investigates the function of normal and pathological primary visual pathways (from the retina to the visual cortex) in humans, both adults and children, and in animals. From the list of pathologies studied by Dr. Lachapelle, we note the following: retinopathy of prematurity, retinitis pigmentosa, congenital hemeralopia, and cone dystrophy. Dr. Lachapelle succeeds previous scientific directors Dr. Jean-Réal Brunette, now retired, Université de Sherbrooke (1995-1996), and Dr. Hélène Boisjoly, Université de Montréal (1996-2000)
E-mail: pierre.lachapelle@mcgill.ca

Adjunct director, new technologies and translational research

Dr. Isabelle Brunette, MD.; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal.
Dr. Brunette has held this position since 1995.
E-mail: ibrunette@videotron.ca


Adjunct director for Publicity, Communications and Promotion

Dr. Christian Casanova, PhD., Professor, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal; Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke; Member of the Centre of Neurological Sciences, Université de Montréal; Member of the University Institute of Geriatrics, Université de Sherbrooke; Senior Researcher Grant FRSQ. Dr. Casanova investigates the function of extrageniculate pathways involving the pulvinar in normal and residual vision (i.e. after accidental or surgical lesions to the visual cortex). He also studies the role played by various neurotransmitters in visual function. At the moment, the team in his lab is studying the relationship between a decrease in dopamine and the visual impairment suffered by patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
E-mail: christian.casanova@umontreal.ca

Adjunct director of Clinical Research

Dr Jacqueline Orquin, MD., is adjunct clinical professor at the department of ophthalmology at the University of Montréal. She has been a member of the research center at the Ste-Justine University Health Center for the past 23 years. In particular, she is associated with the foeto-maternal pathology axis. In 1972 she founded the first pediatric electrophysiology laboratory in Québec. Her work centers on visual maturation in premature births, retinopathy of prematurity, it's causes, prevention as well as retinal physiology and pathologies. She is also interested in congenital dyschromatopsies and pediatric ocular ultrasonography.
E-mail: jacqueline_orquin@SSSS.gouv.qc.ca

AXIS DIRECTORS

Brain and Perception Axis

Dr. Maurice Ptito, M.D., PhD.; Professor, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal; Adjunct Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Mc Gill University; Adjunct Professor, PET-Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark; Member of the Royal Society of Canada; Recipient of the Sir John William medal (2001). Dr. Ptito investigates the development and the placidity of the visual system. His recent work on the reorganisation of retinofugal pathways and on cortical substitution was voted discovery of the year by the magazine Québec-Science in 2000. Dr. Ptito succeeds Dr. Christian Casanova, Université de Montréal (1995-2001)
E-mail: maurice.ptito@umontreal.ca

Cornea an Glaucoma Axis

Dr. Lucie Germain, PhD.; Subsidised Senior Professor, Departments of Surgery and Optometry, Université Laval; Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Research and Tissue Engineering. Dr. Germain investigates in-vitro reconstruction of the human cornea with methods used in tissue engineering in order to build a model to study the healing of corneal wounds, and eventually, to use the model as a substitute in patients with severely burned cornea. Dr. Germain succeeds Dr. Sylvain Guérin and Dr. Hélène Boisjoly.
E-mail: lucie.germain@chg.ulaval.ca

Dr. Vincent Raymond, M.D., PhD.; Senior Subsidised Professor, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval. Dr. Vincent succeeds Dr. Alfred Assalian, centre de recherche L.C. Simard, Hopital Notre-Dame.
E-mail: vincent.raymond@crchul.ulaval.ca

Vision Deficiencies Axis

Olga Overbury PhD. is a full time faculty at psychology department of Concordia University. Her research interests lie in the area of acute as well as chronic visual impairment and its sensory, perceptual and psycho-social impact. The goal of her research is to gain a better understanding of the perceptual abilities of individuals with vision loss in order to better tailor rehabilitation training to their unique needs.
E-mail: overbury@vax2.concordia.ca

Retina and Immuno-oncology Axis

Dr. Sylvain Chemtob PhD.; Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Université de Montréal; Accredited Member, Department of Ophthalmology, Université de Montréal; CIHR Investigator; Canada Research Chair. Dr. Chemtob investigates the underlying mechanisms of the harmful effects of oxygen on blood vessels in the retina His studies aim to develop pharmacological tools able to counter the progression of retinopathy of prematurity. Dr. Chemtob has held this position since December 2000, succeeding Dr. Pierre Lachapelle, Université de Montréal and Dr. Francois Jolicoeur, Université de Sherbrooke.
E-mail: sylvain.chemtob@umontreal.ca

Dr Christian Salesse PhD.
E-mail : christian.salesse@crchul.ulaval.ca

FINANCES

Directors of Finances and of Secretarial work

Mrs Ewelina Zimak (finances and secretarial work)
Vision Research Network (administration)
Ophtalmology (room 208)
Mc Gill University Research Institute –
Montreal Children’s Hospital
4060 Ste Catherine West
Montreal, Quebec H3Z 2Z3
Telephone: (514) 412-4227
Fax: (514) 412-4331
E-mail: reseau.vision@mcgill.ca
Web site: www.visionnetwork.ca