Dr. Jean-François Côté confirmed as President and Scientific Director of the IRCM

Mr. Richard Mayrand, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the IRCM, confirms the appointment of Dr. Jean-François Côté as President and Scientific Director of the IRCM. Since 17 years, Dr. Côté has demonstrated engaging leadership and has developed a strong bond of trust with the IRCM community.

"Continuing the tradition of excellence in basic and clinical research, preparing the next generation of scientists and rallying all staff behind the Institute's mission are among our priorities. As a high-level scientist but also a leader who listens, Dr. Côté has the profile to meet the challenges of this complex position. We are extremely pleased to confirm him in this role," said Mr. Mayrand.

In addition to his leadership qualities, Dr. Côté is an internationally renowned researcher who has made several important advances in oncology. For the past 17 years, he has led the Cytoskeletal Organization and Cell Migration research unit at the IRCM. He is also internationally recognized for his research on metastasis. He is also a full research professor in the Department of Medicine at the Université de Montréal and an assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. He also holds a new Canada Research Chair in Cell Signaling and Metastatic Cancer (Tier 1). The main objective of the Canada Research Chairs Program is to recruit and retain the best researchers in the country. Tier 1 Chairs are awarded to world leaders in their field and last seven years.

Dr. Côté is a graduate of the Université de Montréal (B.Sc. in biochemistry), INRS Armand-Frappier (M.Sc. in biology), McGill University (Ph.D. in biochemistry) and completed postdoctoral studies at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

"Being able to contribute to propel the IRCM, this jewel of science and advanced care in Quebec, towards a promising future and towards new scientific avenues, always with the well-being of our fellow citizens in mind, is what motivates me every day. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for its confidence," said Dr. Côté.