Dre Émilie Larocque, Ph. D.

Research scientist

Method development for food virology laboratories

https://profils-profiles.science.gc.ca/fr/centre-recherche/laboratoire-de-saint-hyacinthe

Current research and/or projects

Dr. Larocque's laboratory conducts regulatory research on the detection, identification and characterization of enteric viruses that cause foodborne illness in humans. Her work contributes to enhancing the capacity of CFIA's food virology diagnostic laboratories, as well as supporting public health authorities during foodborne outbreak investigations.

Research and/or project statements

Improving methods for detection and quantification of foodborne viruses based on novel technologies (e.g. digital PCR).
Developping methods for genotyping of foodborne viruses.
Applying new technologies (e.g. next generation sequencing) to detect and characterize the genome of foodborne viruses.
Studying the persistence of human enteric viruses on food.

Professional activities / interests

Supervision of students
Ad hoc reviewer for research proposals
Member of scientific groups

Education and awards

Education

Certificate in epidemiology and infection control, Université de Montréal, 2015

Ph.D. in virology and immunology (molecular retrovirology), Université de Montréal, 2015 (Thesis with honors)

Master in biology (molecular retrovirology), Université du Québec à Montréal, 2010 (Merit for excellence of results)

Bachelor in biology by problem-based learning, specialization in molecular biology and biotechnology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2008

Awards

Graduating scholarship, Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales, Université de Montréal, 2014
Doctoral scholarship, Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, 2012-2013
Award for 3rd best poster presentation, 8th Annual BioMed Conference, Trois-Rivières, 2013

International experience and/or work

Research scientist, St. Hyacinthe Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Québec, 2017-

Postdoctoral fellow in food virology, St. Hyacinthe Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Québec, 2015-2016

Key publications

Raymond, P., Paul, S., Perron, A., Bellehumeur, C., Larocque, É., Charest, H., 2022. Detection and Sequencing of Multiple Human Norovirus Genotypes from Imported Frozen Raspberries Linked to Outbreaks in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 2017. Food Environ Virol.Raymond, P., Paul, S., Perron, A., Bellehumeur, C., Larocque, É., Charest, H., 2022. Detection and Sequencing of Multiple Human Norovirus Genotypes from Imported Frozen Raspberries Linked to Outbreaks in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 2017. Food Environ Virol. doi: 10.1007/s12560-021-09507-8.