Spring 2022
Three of the justices on the Supreme Court of Canada are McGill law graduates. Sheilah Martin, BCL’81, LLB’81, Mahmud Jamal, BCL’93, LLB’93, and Nicholas Kasirer, BCL’85, LLB’85 share their thoughts on the work they do, the way they approach that work, and how their time at McGill helped prepare them for their current roles.
Health
The dazzling potential of RNA therapies
The success of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines underlines the immense promise of RNA science. About 100 McGill scientists are actively pursuing research in this field, including some who have already done pioneering work. A recent agreement with Moderna could pave the way for new breakthroughs.
À la une
Un humoriste entreprenant
Louis Morissette [B.Comm 1995] est l’une des personnalités les plus influentes au Québec, que ce soit devant les caméras ou dans les coulisses. L’écrivain, acteur et producteur talentueux attribue une partie de son succès aux compétences en affaires qu’il a développées entre autres durant ses études de premier cycle à McGill. (This story is also available in English.)
From How Heather O’Neill became one of Canada’s best writers
“If you look through history, authors often have these remarkably squalid childhoods. I think it essentially makes you an outsider as a child and a really keen observer of the world because you’re trying to understand why you don’t fit in.”
Heather O’Neill
Culture
A look back at the Star Wars Kid
Years before he became an award-winning law student at McGill, Ghyslain Raza, BCL/LLB’11, LLM’20, was once one of the most famous people on the planet – and he hated it. A new documentary explores how he was the subject of one of the internet’s first viral memes, and how that affected his life.
People
Not the CEO from central casting (and he sees that as a strength)
Éric Lachance, BCom’96, might not be the sort of charismatic extrovert that we typically associate with the role of CEO, but the McGill alum who heads the Quebec energy giant Énergir insists there is more than one approach to effective leadership. He is putting that to the test as he leads his company on a greener path forward.
Discovery
A research lab that looks like a dep (because it is a dep)
The Retail Innovation Lab is a handy spot on campus for McGillians looking to grab a quick snack between classes. A partnership between McGill’s Bensadoun School of Retail Management and Couche-Tard, it is also the site for research examining consumer behaviour and other aspects of retail operations.
People
Sharing music beyond the concert halls
Françoise Henri, MMus’98, is the general and artistic director of the Société pour les arts en milieux de santé, a network of musicians who have performed thousands of live concerts for hospital patients throughout Quebec. COVID-19 made that mission much more complicated.
People
An expert navigator for the world of wine
The discipline he learned as a McGill graduate student has served Hugo Duchesne, MA’02, well in his role as one of Quebec’s most highly regarded sommeliers. He shares his thoughts on recent wine trends, his favourite wine and cheese pairings, and the stress associated with international competitions.
People
Cumin, coriander and a sense of community
PhD student and community organizer Leonora Indira King, MSc’17, is the driving force behind the Parc-Ex Curry Collective, an initiative that provides non-status immigrant women with an empowering opportunity to benefit from their culinary skills.
Alum notes
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