New student exchange program links Paris and Toronto's pharmacy schools

An exciting new chapter in international academic collaboration has begun, thanks to the Paris-Toronto Faculty of Pharmacy Exchange Program between the University of Paris-Cité and the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

This initiative, supported by a three-year travel scholarship award program funded by the David R. Graham Foundation, will enhance the educational and research experiences of students and professors from both institutions. Professors Xavier Declèves from Paris, France, and Reina Bendayan from Toronto, who co-applied for this grant, will serve as the co-coordinators of the program.

Funding enables students enrolled in full-time or part-time pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences programs, including undergraduate (PharmD), Masters, PhD, and postdoctoral levels, to participate in international research exchanges. These opportunities allow them to engage in cutting-edge collaborative research projects that are at the forefront of pharmaceutical sciences.

More than just a funding initiative, this program is a testament to the commitment to academic excellence, scientific discovery, and cultural exchange. It aims to create an environment where both students and professors can thrive, pursuing their educational and research goals within the vibrant and globally interconnected communities of the University of Paris-Cité and the University of Toronto. Through their respective faculties of pharmacy, this exchange program showcases an enduring partnership and shared vision between these two renowned institutions.

Visiting students:

Juliette Albenque

Juliette is working with Assistant Professor Mina Tadrous on an epidemiology project exploring the marketing of inhalers for the treatment of asthma and COPD.

Diane Denimal

Diane is working on an economic research study with Associate Professor Paul Grootendorst to analyze the extent to which drug assessment agencies agree on their ratings of therapeutic added value.

Julie Salat

Julie is working with Professor Tim Corson to study the expression of a potential biomarker (PDE1B) in ophthalmic and neurological pathologies. The goal of this research is to develop targeted therapies to improve the efficacy of treatments for these diseases.

Soizic Lougnon

Soizic is working with Dr. Lucie Wolf in the Angers Lab, performing a near proteome-wide screen to identify new regulators of the oncogene beta-catenin in a colorectal cancer cell line. Specifically, the screen is designed to find regulators of beta-catenin through induced proximity and targeted protein degradation, a concept that has recently gained significant attention following the development of 'molecular glues' or 'PROTACs', some of which have already entered clinical trials.

Lina Badawi

Lina is working with Assistant Professor Mina Tadrous to compare the uptake of hormonal drugs and their impact on women's health, with a specific focus on contraceptive drugs in order to inform upcoming changes for Canada.

Cecile Comte

Cecile is working with Assistant Professor Mina Tadrous to track long-acting antipsychotics use across the world. Additionally, she is assisting in the development of a Canadian Essential Drugs list.