RESEARCH TOPICS

The studies conducted by our laboratory examine the physiological functioning of plants, and address a variety of environmental issues. In recent years, numerous applied research projects have been conducted in order to explore possible solutions to various environmental problems, while simultaneously contributing to our understanding of plant functioning.

The assimilation of nutrients, contaminants, as well as trace elements are recurring themes studied in our laboratory. For example, we have examined the impact of the use of various types of organic fertilizers (sludge, pig manure, etc.) on plants and the environment; other studies have focused on the presence of heavy metals, whether in organic fertilizer or in soil in the form of contaminants. More recently, studies were undertaken on contaminated soils with organic pollutants (PAH, PCB, etc.). In this context, studies integrate research in genomics and bioinformatics and involved collaborations with researchers from other disciplines. These studies are conducted to better understand the complex interactions between pollutants, soil, plant roots and microorganisms at the rhizosphere level.

Our team has been particularly interested in short rotation coppice of willows (Salix). Our aim has been to maximize the potential of the unique characteristics of these species: rapid growth and root proliferation, and exceptional aptitude for vegetative propagation. We are interested by the operational feasibility of SRC with willows in Eastern Canada by improving cultivation techniques and selecting new varieties.

Keywords: Ecophysiology of woody species • Biomass yield of woody crop cultivated for bioenergy and environment applications • Nutrition and assimilation under various environmental conditions • Restoration of contaminated sites •  Phytoremediation • Decontamination of municipal sludge 

STUDENTS AND STAFF

Research professionals
Patrick Benoist

Research assistants
Noémie Legault

Research professionnals
Alex Licinio

Postdoctoral fellows
Adrian Paul

Ph.D. students
Noël Fagoaga, co-supervision for Frédéric Pitre
Béatrice Gervais-Bergeron, co-supervision with Pierre-Luc Chagnon
Geoffroy Renaud-Grignon, co-supervision with Joan Laur
Oana Khintirian-Suteu, co-supervision with Emanuel Licha
Eszter Sas, co-supervision with Frédéric Pitre and Simon Barnabé (UQTR)

M.Sc. students
Marie-Pierre Bastien-Thibault, co-supervision with Yves Comeau
Andréanne Beauchemin-Nadeau, co-supervision with Stéphanie Pellerin
Roberta D'Camp
Camille Desrosiers
Jérôme Gingras-Debien
Alexandre Michaud, co-supervision with Sébastien Boquel (Cérom)

ASSOCIATIONS

Founding member of the Société québécoise de phytotechnologie

Board member of the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network

PUBLICATIONS

See the list of publications on Google Scholar.