The MBMC is made up of a dynamic multidisciplinary team of investigators, staff and students.

Dr. Kim Lavoie
PhD, FCPA, FABMR
Full Professor, Chair of Behavioral Medicine and FRQS Chercheur-Boursier Senior, Department of Psychology, UQAM
Dr. Lavoie's work focuses on research in three areas: the impact of psychological stress and lifestyle factors on the development and progression of chronic illnesses, psychophysiological and behavioral mechanisms linking psychological stress to disease; and behavioural medicine (e.g., behavioral interventions for chronic illnesses, including motivational communication and cognitive-behavioral therapy).
Primary university affiliation(s)
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Primary research centre affiliation(s)
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
Website(s)
Other affiliations
- Full Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM)
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal
- Affiliate Professor, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University
- Researcher, Chronic Disease Research Division, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
- Associate Researcher, Research Centre, Nuclear Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute
- Chair, Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine Section, Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
- Chair, Canadian Network of Health Behaviour Change and Promotion (CAN-Change)
- Co-Lead, International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN)
- Adherence Committee, Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP)
Fields of interest/Keywords
- Asthma, COPD, Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Obesity
- Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, panic disorder, depression, motivation, self-efficacy
- Health behaviors (physical activity, diet, smoking, adherence)
- Health behavior change interventions (motivational communication, cognitive-behavioral therapy)
- Impact of psychological and behavioral factors on disease morbidity and mortality
- Professional training in motivational communication

Dr. Simon Bacon
PhD, FTOS, FCCS, FABMR
Full Professor, CIHR SPOR Chair in Innovative, Patient-Oriented, Behavioural Clinical Trials and FRQS Chair in Behavioural Medicine, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology, Concordia University
Dr. Bacon has won research awards from the Canadian Hypertension Society, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, McGill University, National Institutes of Health (US), European Society of Hypertension, and International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology. Prior to joining Concordia he completed his postdoctoral studies at the Duke University Medical Center, McGill University, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, and the Montreal Heart Institute.
Primary university affiliation(s)
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Primary research centre affiliation(s)
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal Heart Institute, Concordia University PERFORM Centre
Website(s)
www.concordia.ca/artsci/exercise-science
Other affiliations
- Full Professor, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology, Concordia University
- Fellow, Science College, Concordia University
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University
- Affiliate Member, Department of Biology, Concordia University
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Affiliate Member, Department of Psychology, Concordia University
- Researcher, Research Centre, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
- Associate Researcher, Research Centre, Montréal Heart Institute
Fields of interest/Keywords
- Behavioural interventions for chronic illnesses
- Behavioural randomised controlled trials, behavioural epidemiology, ecological momentary assessment, and laboratory-based acute stress (both physical and mental) testing
- Epidemiological impact of behaviour on chronic illness
- Acute stress in the progression of chronic illnesses
- Impact of sex and gender on chronic illness.

Dr. André Arsenault
Department Head, Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Jean-Talon
Research interests: Nuclear medicine, Cardiovascular disease

Dr. André Cartier
Pulmonologist, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal and Clinical Professor, Department of medicine, Université de Montréal
Research interests: Asthma, Professional asthma, Hyperventilation syndrome, Bronchial hyperreactivity, Panic disorders and asthma, Perception of symptoms

Dr. Blaine Ditto
Professor, Department of Psychology, McGill University
Research interests: Effects of stress on blood pressure, heart disease, and vasovagal reactions

Dr. Catherine Lemière
Pulmonologist (Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal), Professor (Department of medicine, Université de Montréal), Researcher (Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Research Centre), and Assistant Director of Clinical Research (Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal)
Research interests: Asthma, Work-related asthma, Bronchial inflammation

Dr. Grégory Ninot
Professor, Université de Montpellier and Director, CEPS Platform
Research interests: Effectiveness, efficacy and cost efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in patients with chronic disease

Dr. Jean Diodati
Cardiologist, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, and Researcher, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Research Centre
Research interests: Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and embolism, Circulation and blood transfusion, Cardiovascular disease

Dr. Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten
Lecturer in Biological Psychology, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham
Research interests: Triggering of acute cardiovascular events, Rheological effects of acute mental stress, Cardiovascular disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dr. Jocelyn Dupuis
Professor, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Associate Member, Department of Physiology, Université de Montréal, and Cardiologist, Montreal Heart Institute
Research interests: Pulmonary circulation, Pulmonary hypertension, Heart failure, Endothelial function, Molecular imaging, Vasoactive peptides

Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology, and Endocrinology and Metabolism, Royal Victoria Hospital, and Regular Member, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Research interests: Prevention and management of blood vessel disease, Health behaviour, Clinical trials and cohort studies

Dr. Louise Pilote
Professor, Department of Medicine (McGill University), James McGill Chair, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine (Department of Medicine, McGill University), Regular Member, Cardiovascular Diseases and Critical Care (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre), and Medical Scientist and Division Director, General Internal Medicine (McGill University Health Centre)
Research interests: Sex differences in cardiovascular diseases, Maintenance of vascular health in women, Effectiveness and safety of cardiovascular drugs, Procedures using various study designs

Dr. Lucie Blais
Full Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy (Université de Montréal), Holder, AstraZeneca Chair in respiratory health, Researcher (Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montreal Research Centre), and Assistant Researcher, Faculty of Pharmacy (Université de Montréal)
Research Interests: Pharmaco-epidemiology of asthma, COPD, Perinatal epidemiology, Use of administrative databases

Dr. Marie-France Beauchesne
Full clinical professor, Faculty of Pharmacy (Université de Montréal), Co-holder, AstraZeneca Chair in respiratory health, and Pharmacist, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS)
Research interests: Safe use of drugs in hospital settings, Asthma and pregnancy, Pharmacotherapy of respiratory diseases

Dr. Mark Hamer
Professor, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University and Chair in Exercise as Medicine, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine
Research interests: Physical activity/sedentary and population health, Physical activity promotion, Free-living physical activity measurement, Metabolically healthy obesity,
Psychobiology of exercise

Dr. Nicola Paine
Lecturer in Health Psychology, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University
Research interests: Role of psychological stress on development of chronic disease, Interactions between health behaviours and physiological dysregulation

Dr. Sandra Peláez
Lecturer, Department of Education & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, and Research associate, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
Research interests: Role of social relationships in exercise and medication adherence, Sport psychology, Health psychology

Dr. Serge Sultan
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, Université de Montréal and Director, Centre of Psycho-Oncology, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine
Research interests: Relationship between emotions, emotional distress and the deterioration of health, specifically across the cancer trajectory, Promotion of health behaviors in cancer patients and survivors

Dr. Stella Daskalopoulou
Associate Professor of Medicine, McGill University, Attending physician, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Director, Vascular Health Unit, and Associate Program Leader, Cardiovascular Health across the Lifespan, RI-MUHC
Research interests: Cardiovascular disease

Dr. Sylvia Santosa
Assistant Professor, Exercise Science Department, Concordia University, Associate Researcher, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Research Centre, and Chair, Canada Research Chair Tier II in Clinical Nutrition
Research interests: Metabolic and cellular mechanisms related to disease development among overweight people, Long-term effects of obesity

Dr. Tavis Campbell
Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Licensed clinical psychologist, and Director, Behavioral Medicine Laboratory
Research interests: Bio-behavioral mechanisms related to the development and progression of chronic illnesses

Dr. Véronique Pepin
Associate Professor, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, Researcher, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Research Centre, and Member, Executive committee of the Centre de réadaptation cardio-respiratoire Jean-Jacques-Gauthier
Research interests: Clinical exercise testing and training in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Annick Gauthier
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
REBORN, INTER-Change
Annick Gauthier is an Account Manager in Health Care Plan Management (Private Sector) at Express Scripts Canada. Over the years, she tried, like many people, a multitude of "miracle" diets, and her weight fluctuated constantly. However, it was when she began to see signs of chronic illness such as severe hypertension that Annick had bariatric surgery, in 2014 and 2016. Annick found her life transformed, and decided to become actively involved in the CIUSSS-NIM - Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Patient-Researcher Committee. She wishes, through her personal experience, to make a dynamic and positive contribution to support people who are experiencing the bariatric surgery process.
Since October 2018

Josée Dufour
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
REBORN, INTER-Change
Josée Dufour joined Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon’s research team at the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre - CIUSSS-Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal in June 2017. She is an executive member of the Patient-Researcher committee of the bariatric surgery research program. Josée has since then been actively involved in different stages of the research process, from conception of new research projects to data collection and analysis. She is also very committed to improving clinical services offered to bariatric patients at the CIUSSS-NIM.
Since June 2017

Luc Veilleux
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
REBORN, INTER-Change
Luc Veilleux is a design and design engineering assistant for Bell Canada. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Concordia University. As many others, Luc has seen his weight fluctuate over the years. He has a history of losing a lot of weight and gaining it back. In March 2016, he decided to undergo bariatric surgery to stop this yo-yo dieting effect. He has then enthusiastically joined Drs. Bacon and Lavoie’s team to become an executive member of the Patient-Researcher Committee at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal. In doing so and because he is still struggling with his weight, Luc is particularly interested in better understanding the complex determinants of obesity. He hopes that his input and active contribution as a patient-researcher will help others living with similar situations.
Since June 2017

Patrick Marion
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
REBORN, INTER-Change
Patrick Marion is an entrepreneur and a businessman. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Patrick underwent bariatric surgery in August 2016. His engagement as an executive member of the Patient-Researcher Committee at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal has been a natural fit. Patrick is eager to improve the experience and quality of care for people living with obesity and those undergoing bariatric surgery.
Since June 2017

Guillaume Lacoste
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
guillaume.lacoste@crhsc.rtss.qc.ca
514-338-2222 ext. 3989

Bernard Meloche
Medical Technologist
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal Heart Institute

Dr. Catherine Laurin
Psychologist
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Cloé Blanchette-Carrière
SPOR Chair Coordinator
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Geneviève Faucher
Lab Coordinator - MBMC Functional Assessment and Psychophysiology Laboratory
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Dr. Geneviève Szczepanik
Project Coordinator
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Katia Dumont
Project Coordinator
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Dr. Paula A B Ribeiro
Systematic Review Specialist
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Ruth Bruno
Statistician and Data Manager
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Dr. Geneviève Szczepanik
Degree: Post-doctoral fellow
Concordia University
Department of Exercise Science
Active from January 2017 to December 2018

Anda Dragomir
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2014 to September 2020

Carla Farnesi
Degree: PhD Individualized Studies
Concordia University
Individualized Studies
Active from January 2015 to August 2019

Cassandre Julien
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2015 to September 2021

Claudia Gemme
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2017 to September 2023

LiAnne Mercier
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2017 to September 2023

Robbie Woods
Degree: PhD Psychology
Concordia University
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2016 to September 2022

Sara Labbé
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2018 to September 2024

Vincent Gosselin Boucher
Degree: PhD Psychology
Université du Québec à Montréal
Department of Psychology
Active from September 2016 to September 2023

Adam Martinez
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2015 to April 2019

Candace Raddatz
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2015 to April 2019

Émilie Dolan
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2015 to April 2019

Florent Larue
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from October 2018 to September 2020

Mahrukh Jamil
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from May 2017 to August 2019

Matthew Levy
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2018 to September 2020

Prerna Deshpande
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2017 to September 2019

Tasfia Tasbih
Degree: MSc Exercise Science
Concordia University
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology
Active from September 2018 to September 2020
Other Students and Residents
- Valery Legris-Falardeau, MD, Université de Montréal, Resident
- Annie-Claude Jalbert, MD, Université de Montréal, Resident
- Andréanne Plante, MD, Université de Montréal, Resident
Alumni

Alexandre Elhalwi
MSc, Exercise Science, Concordia University (2012-2014)
Medical Student, McGill University
MBMC member from September 2012 to September 2014

Alicia Wright
MSc, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Concordia University (2007-2009)
Exercise Physiologist, PERFORM Centre
MBMC member from September 2007 to September 2009

Dr. Amanda Rizk
PhD, Special Individualized Program, Concordia University (2009-2014)
Supervisor of Cardio-Pulmonary Suite, PERFORM Centre
MBMC member from September 2007 to January 2010

Dr. Amanda Rossi
PhD, Pure Science (Individualized Program) - Exercise Science, Concordia University (2009-2015)
Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University
MBMC member from September 2009 to September 2015

Anne Bouchard
MA, Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal
Clinical psychologist
MBMC member from September 2006 to September 2016

Dr. Annik Plourde
PhD Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2010-2018)
Clinical Psychologist, New Brunswick
MBMC member from September 2010 to May 2018

Dr. Anthony Austin
Post-doctoral Fellowship, Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre (2011-2014)
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
MBMC member from September 2011 to July 2014

Dr. Ariane Jacob
PhD Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2009-2018)
Clinical Psychologist, Institut Alpha, Montréal
MBMC member from September 2009 to October 2018

Dr. Catherine Laurin
PhD, Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2001-2008)
Post-doctorate, Concordia University (2008-2013)
Clinical psychologist
MBMC member from September 2002 to December 2016

Dr. Darren Mercer
PhD Psychology, McGill University (2010-2017)
Consultant, Deloitte Canada
MBMC member from September 2010 to December 2017

Dr. Grégory Moullec
PhD, Psychology of Health, Université Montpellier I
Master, Public Health (Biostatistics), Université Paris-Sud
Emerging Researcher, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Research Centre and Associate Professor, Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais
MBMC member from September 2009 to February 2013

Dr. Hélène Favreau
PhD, Psychology (research-intervention profile), Université du Québec à Montréal (2005-2015)
Psychologist at Clinique Ostéo & cie, and Collège Ahuntsic
MBMC member from September 2005 to December 2014

Dr. Jennifer Gordon
PhD, Psychology, McGill University (2007-2012)
Assistant professor, University of Regina (Department of Psychology)
MBMC member from September 2005 to June 2012

Dr. Karine Ouellet
PsyD Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2010-2018)
Clinical Psychologist, Institut Alpha, Montréal
MBMC member from September 2010 to September 2018

Dr. Kevin Duckworth
PsyD Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke (2009-2017)
Clinical Psychologist, Mount Sinai Hospital
MBMC member from September 2009 to September 2017

Dr. Marie-Ève Pelland
PhD, Psychology (research-intervention profile), Université du Québec à Montréal (2003-2011)
MPs, Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2003-2008)
Psychologist and researcher at the Department of Radiation Oncology and ENT, CHUM
MBMC member from September 2005 to April 2011

Dr. Marie-Josée Fehling
PhD, Clinical Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2012)
Private practice, Tele-psychotherapy for Quebec residents. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
MBMC member from September 2009 to June 2012

Dr. Maryann F. Joseph
PhD, Psychology, McGill University (2004-2012)
Clinical psychologist at Cité Médicale Montréal, and at the Change Clinic
MBMC member from September 2004 to March 2012

Dr. Maxine Boudreau
PhD, Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2008-2015)
Psychologist at Institut Alpha
MBMC member from September 2008 to December 2015

Dr. Mélanie Béland
PhD Psychology, Concordia University (2013-2018)
Post-doctoral fellow, INRS - Institut Armand Frappier, Montréal
MBMC member from September 2013 to April 2018

Dr. Nicola Paine
Post-doctorate, Concordia University (2014-2018)
Lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University
MBMC member from September 2014 to September 2018

Dr. Phil Gilchrist
Post-doctorate, Concordia University (2014-2017)
Post-doctoral fellow at Cambridge University, UK
MBMC member from June 2014 to June 2017

Dr. Philippe Stébenne
PsyD, Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (2010-2015)
Clinical Psychologist
MBMC member from July 2005 to August 2010

Rima Wardini
MSc, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Concordia University (2009-2013)
Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Research Associate, Montreal Neurofeedback Center
MBMC member from September 2009 to June 2013

Dr. Roxanne Pelletier
PhD, Psychology (research-intervention profile), Université du Québec à Montréal (2006-2011)
Clinical psychologist at the psychology center « Au fil des maux » and postdoctoral researcher at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC)
MBMC member from September 2006 to September 2011

Samantha Briand
MBMC member from September 2015 to April 2017

Sarah Warda
BA, Psychology, Concordia University (2013-2017)
MBMC member from September 2015 to April 2016

Una Jojich-White
MBMC member from April 2015 to April 2017
Former undergraduate students
- Tovah Cowan, Psychology, Concordia University, Sept 2014 to April 2015
- Esthelle Ewusi-Boisvert, Psychology (Honours), Concordia University, Sept 2014 to April 2015
- Christina Kazazian, Psychology, Concordia University, Sept 2014 to April 2015
- Ashley Merone, Psychology, McGill University, Sept 2014 to April 2015