Cancer researcher wins 2015 Prix Michel-Sarrazin

Montreal, QC – Claude Perreault, principal investigator at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Université de Montréal, professor in the Department of Medicine at the University’s Faculty of Medicine and hematologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, is the winner of the 2015 Prix Michel-Sarrazin. The award is presented annually by the Club de recherches cliniques du Québec to a veteran Québec scientist who, through his or her dynamism and productivity, has contributed in an important way to the advancement of biomedical research.

A hematologist and immunogeneticist by training, Claude Perreault is one of the founding members of IRIC and has been a principal investigator at the institute since 2005. In addition to his research and training activities, he practices as a clinician at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, where he created the histocompatibility laboratory and founded the bone marrow transplant unit. At IRIC, Dr. Perreault and his team study cells that govern the function of the immune system, known as T lymphocytes, in order to better understand and improve the functioning of that system with the aim of creating a vaccine against cancer and preventing the aging of the immune system.

“Dr. Perrault is an extraordinary researcher and physician,” said Michel Bouvier, IRIC’s chief executive officer. “His research work in immuno-oncology, aimed in particular at developing a vaccine against cancer, is remarkable. Besides being a scientific leader, Claude has the invaluable gift of knowing how to make his research work accessible, meaning he is a priceless ambassador for the cause of cancer research. We’re privileged to be able to count on having this great researcher with us, and we’re extremely proud that he’s received this well-deserved honor from the Club de recherches cliniques du Québec.”