Rémi Quirion

Chief Scientist of Quebec, Rémi Quirion, has devoted much of his career to studying complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and chronic pain. As head of the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and president of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA), he works to develop scientific diplomacy and to better integrate knowledge into public decision-making. Today, Sorbonne University awards him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.

What does this Doctor Honoris Causa distinction awarded by Sorbonne University mean to you, and how does it fit into your journey as a scientist and advocate for research?

Rémi Quirion: When I first learned that Sorbonne University was awarding me a Doctor Honoris Causa, my initial reaction was disbelief. Then: chills, a sense of a waking dream! As a young man, I dreamed of being accepted into this great university. At 18, during my first stay in Paris, I visited the campus to soak in its atmosphere and engage with students. And today, I enter as a doctor!

This honour means a great deal to me. It is also a tribute to my colleagues in the Quebec government and to my former students—this scientific family with whom I have had the privilege of working. I share this distinction with them, and in a way, they too now become part of the great Sorbonne University family.

Sorbonne University and Quebec institutions share a strong commitment to scientific excellence and international collaboration. What do you consider as the most promising areas of cooperation between Quebec and France in research, particularly with Sorbonne University?

R. Q.: Scientific collaborations between France and Quebec are particularly strong and numerous, and have been for decades. I have benefited from them throughout my career in neuroscience and mental health at McGill, and more recently as Chief Scientist and representative of the Quebec government in matters of research and science.

All research sectors and disciplines are well represented. Artificial intelligence, quantum science, advanced mathematics, health—including public health—neuroscience, genomics, and, more recently, global health. Several long-standing structural partnerships exist on climate change, the United Nations' sustainable development goals, biodiversity, and more broadly, environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and ocean protection.

Moreover, there have been close ties for decades in many areas of social sciences and humanities, administration, literature, and the arts. The protection and promotion of the French language are major concerns for all of us. Recently, we have developed new partnerships to ensure the discoverability of cultural and scientific content in French. Bilateral collaborations on the study of our democracies and the state of the world are also expanding, particularly in light of current geopolitical upheavals. There is no shortage of areas for cooperation, and I am convinced that they will continue to grow in the decades to come.

Your career has been marked by a major contribution to neuroscience, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and pain. What are the major scientific challenges in these fields today, and what are the most promising research avenues?

R. Q.:I have greatly enjoyed conducting my neuroscience research at McGill University, particularly at the Douglas Mental Health Institute. McGill and Montreal are globally renowned for the excellence of their teams in this field. Yet, despite advances in our knowledge, progress in developing truly effective treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and pain remains slow—at times even frustrating.

One of the main challenges, in my opinion, lies in diagnosing these diseases at an early stage. Too often, we proceed by exclusion: it is neither X, Y, nor Z, so it is probably Alzheimer’s or depression. By the time the pathology is finally detected, it is already well advanced, significantly reducing the effectiveness of treatments. It is therefore crucial to continue research into identifying reliable early markers of these diseases and their different variants. After all, there is not just one type of pain, but many, and each requires a specific therapeutic approach.

In other words, we must continue progressing towards more personalised medicine. Over the past ten years, we have made significant strides, and new, more effective therapeutic approaches have emerged to better treat different phases of depression, certain forms of chronic pain, and even Alzheimer’s-type dementia. But there is still much to be done and discovered. It is by collaborating with colleagues worldwide that we will succeed in developing truly effective therapeutic approaches, capable of intervening as early as possible in the progression of these diseases.

As Chief Scientist of Quebec, you have promoted scientific diplomacy and the importance of communication between researchers and citizens. Why is it crucial today for science to be better understood and integrated into public decision-making and society?

R. Q.: Having served as Chief Scientist for nearly 14 years—a record tenure worldwide!—and as president of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) for four years, I place scientific diplomacy and science advice at the heart of my priorities. It is essential to improve the capacities and expertise of our research teams and governments in these two sectors. This is therefore one of our key priorities at the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and INGSA, whether at the supranational level, national and regional governments, or even at the local level within municipalities.

In today’s geopolitical context, it is fundamental that scientists, senior officials, and elected representatives familiarise themselves with each other’s language in order to better understand one another and benefit from our respective knowledge and skills. A political decision informed by science and robust data is not only more likely to be well received by civil society but also to have lasting impact.

It is also essential to improve scientific literacy in society—meaning the ability to understand, assess, and use scientific information in daily life and decision-making. This is one of the levers we are promoting to combat misinformation and fake news. The task is complex, but we must dedicate all necessary efforts to it, both in Quebec and worldwide.

Finally, proactive and coordinated scientific diplomacy can play a decisive role in addressing major societal challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and the protection of our democracies. The FRQ has therefore decided to make a substantial investment in creating a major network of scientific diplomacy chairs. This is a project we are particularly proud of, and we hope that other research funding organisations will follow this path.