2027 NMD4C–RARE.Qc Basic Science Research Summer School
The annual NMD4C summer school provides lecture-based and hands-on training workshops to neuromuscular trainees in cutting-edge wet lab techniques, while providing an environment for trainees to present their research and network in-person with colleagues and senior investigators from across Canada.
Summer School Program and Themes
NMD4C will host our fourth Basic Science Research Summer School for neuromuscular research trainees from May 12–14, 2027, at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), led by Dr. Jean-Philippe Leduc-Gaudet.
For the first time, NMD4C and The Network to advance research on rare diseases in Quebec (RARE.Qc) are joining forces to organize this year's Summer School, which will also mark the inaugural Summer School offered by RARE.Qc. This new collaboration brings together the expertise of the both of our networks to support the next generation of basic science researchers working on rare diseases, such as neuromuscular disorders. Supporting preclinical trainees and scientists is a key priority of both networks, and we aim to make this event as accessible as possible to trainees from across Canada. There will be no registration fee, and support such as accommodation and travel will be available for non-local participants in Trois-Rivières, Québec.
Day 1 – From Basic Science to Translational Research
On the first day attendees will attend lectures from leading researchers, patient partners, and industry members. The scientific program will include lectures covering inflammation, translational research, advanced cellular and molecular approaches, microscopy, flow cytometry, metabolomics, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and other emerging methodologies relevant to rare and neuromuscular diseases.
Days 2 and 3 – Hands-on Experimental Training
The second and third days will emphasize practical, hands-on training in experimental techniques. Through a combination of demonstrations, tutorials, lectures, and hands-on workshops, trainees will gain exposure to state-of-the-art wet-lab approaches.
Workshop Themes:
- Inflammation
- Assessment of mitochondrial function
- Assesment of muscle function
Program
The 2027 NMD4C–RARE.Qc Basic Science Research Summer School will be an intensive 3-day training event combining scientific lectures, trainee presentations, patient-partner perspectives, poster sessions, networking opportunities, and hands-on practical workshops. The program will bring together experienced basic and translational scientists with complementary expertise, including Drs. Jean-Philippe Leduc-Gaudet(opens in new tab) (UQTR), Marc Germain, Geneviève Pépin, Yannick Audet-Delage, Erwan Pernet, and Marie-Claude Sincennes, alongside invited researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and representatives from the rare disease community.
Speakers
Dr. Hanns lochmuller (Key Note)
Dr. Lochmüller is a neurologist and clinician-scientist specializing in genetic neuromuscular disorders and rare diseases.
Dr. Marie-Claude Sincennes
Dr. Sincennes is a basic scientist with extensive expertise in skeletal muscle biology, muscle stem cell biology, muscle regeneration, and neuromuscular diseases.
Dr. Cam-Tu Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is a pediatric neurologist specialized in neuromuscular disorders and neuromuscular and EMG fellowship director at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal.
Dr. Vincent Picher-Martel
Dr. Picher-Martel is a neurologist at the CHU de Quebec and assistant professor under scholarship at the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Laval University.
Dr. Jacques P. Tremblay
Dr. Tremblay is a professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Laval University and a researcher at the CHU de Quebec.
Dr. Marc Germain
Dr. Germain is a professor at UQTR studying the mechanisms linking mitochondria, mitochondrial diseases and metabolism in the regulation of cell survival.
Dr. Geneviève Pépin
Dr. Geneviève is a professor at the Department of Medical Biology of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) working on inflammation.
Dr. Yannick Audet-Delage
Dr. Yannick Audet-Delage is a professor at the Department of Medical Biology of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) working on cellular metabolism
Application Information
Application Process & Guidelines
The full application guidelines are available here.
Applicants will need to include the following in their application:
- Contact information: Applicants must include their name, email, institution, role, their supervisor(s) contact information, and neuromuscular disease(s) researched.
- Research and Training Goals: Applicants must provide a short paragraph describing why they would like to attend the summer school, how they anticipate this to benefit their training and career goals and how the training may be impactful for their home lab and research colleagues.
- Flash Talks: Attendees will be invited to give a (<2-min.) flash talk as a form of introduction at the beginning of the summer school.
- Accommodation and Travel Bursaries: Applicants will need to indicate whether they would like university accommodation during the summer school, and if they would like to be considered for a travel bursary.
- Supervisor Approval: Applicants will require their supervisor's approval to attend the summer school. Supervisors must sign the approval form to be uploaded during the application.
Eligibility Criteria
Placements at the summer school are subject to a competitive application process. Successful applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a member of either NMD4C(opens in new tab) or RARE.Qc
- Current full-time graduate student, postdoctoral research fellow, or other junior research staff* conducting neuromuscular or rare disease-focused research at a Canadian institution**
*Participation of junior research staff will be based on placement availability; graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be given preference.
**Placements may be restricted to one trainee per lab based on the number of applications received.
Selection Criteria
- Applicants will be chosen based on training and career goals, commitment to NMD or rare disease research, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity.
- Priority will be given to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
- The number of participants attending per lab may be limited*
Accommodation, Meals & Travel Support
- Accommodation: We will provide accommodation for non-local attendees for three nights (May 11-13th) at UQTR residences.
- Meals: We will provide meals on May 12th, 13th and the morning of the 14th.
Travel Support: We will provide financial support (sufficient to cover your travel to and from summer school)
Deadlines
- Application Opens: October 6, 2025
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Anticipated Notice of Decision: Mid December 2026
- Program Dates: May 12 to 14, 2026
Past NMD4C Summer Schools
Contact
For any questions about the summer school please email our Communications Coordinator, Lola Owoeye
Summer School Organizing Team
Jean-Philippe Leduc-Gaudet
Homira Osman
Kessen Patten
Erin Beattie
Christine Yergeau
Emma Sutton