Faces of the IRCM - Julie Lord

Julie has been with the IRCM for fifteen years. Her base, the flow cytometry core facility, provides her with an environment that is both stable and nurturing, but also one of perpetual renewal. 

Indeed, she fully participates in the work that underpins laboratory studies, which is very gratifying.

The flow cytometry core facility offers analysis and cell sorting services to the IRCM researchers as well as members of the external scientific community. The aim is to promote flow cytometry as a multiparametric analysis tool and to facilitate its use in a wide range of research fields. 

On a day-to-day basis, Julie also contributes to the training of the next generation of scientists.

We train people to use cell analyzers in their work, as part of their overall research journey. Just as they often have to learn how to use a microscope, they are also brought to learn to use a cytometer. This is mostly the case for immunologists, but there are other applications besides immunophenotyping. It's a tool that can be applied to other fields of research.

The high quality of the services provided by the IRCM Core Facilities to both external and internal research, no longer needs to be proven. This work is an invaluable foundation for a whole range of activities.

The fun thing about cytometry is that, with a microscope, one gets a concrete picture of cells but on a 'small number of cells', whereas with cytometry, we're able to analyze thousands of cells in a matter of seconds... The characteristics of a population can quickly be established!

It was somewhat by chance that she embraced this specific field of activity.

When I did my studies in microbiology, I briefly touched on cytometry. Then, while working for a pharmaceutical company, I got involved in cytometry in a clinical context where I was able to characterize what was happening in the cells of blood samples, as in leukemia.

Having applied for a position at the IRCM, Julie happily made the leap from the industry to an academic research institute. 

I like the academic environment because, in my opinion, it leaves more room for creativity and openness. You can try things out, it's flexible and adapts to new technologies. I like the whole context of academia. You don't feel boxed in, and you find ways of testing your ideas.

The strength of her core facility's small team of two is also a very positive factor for Julie.

I love working with Éric (Massicotte). He gives me a lot of latitude. He trusts me and that's great. And I really appreciate the whole Core Facility’s team. We've been here for a long time and there's very little turnover. We're doing research in a context of great stability that I greatly appreciate, within an institute of good reputation and notoriety, which is very appreciable.

Thank you Julie, for contributing to creating winning conditions for science at IRCM!