Sentinel North interdisciplinary approach
In encouraging innovative collaborations and concerted action on major issues related to the northern environment and its impact on human beings, the Sentinel North strategy has transformed the research and training ecosystem at Université Laval.
A new approach to research
The increasing complexity and interconnectedness of the challenges associated with a changing North cannot be addressed within the confines of a research approach centered exclusively on one discipline. Find out how Sentinel North advocated the convergence of cutting-edge expertise to tackle more complex issues.
A transformative research strategy
In mobilizing a diverse research community and taking an approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries, the Sentinel North strategy catalyzed scientific discovery and innovation, while training a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers.
Greater impact through interdisciplinarity
Leveraging the diversity of expertise and the potential for innovation at Université Laval enabled the teams to develop bold projects and lasting synergies which have had an impact on our university’s research ecosystem.
Unprecedented mobilization for the North
Building bridges between researchers in disciplines that are traditionally far removed from each other was a key approach in the Sentinel North strategy, giving rise to an influx of expertise that had previously been virtually absent from northern research. These fresh perspectives sparked new ideas and provided an impetus for lasting collaborations.
Antoine Allard, statistical physics and complex systems
“Given the complexity of the environment and its inherent issues, the North has proven to be an exceptional ecosystem for research for my laboratory, which provided its expertise in a variety of fields, ranging from the environment to health. These collaborations brought new perspectives to my area of work which are still being pursued today.”
Céline Vaneeckhaute, water process engineering
“The search for technological solutions that would help improve access to water in different parts of the world is at the core of my research. Working to provide solutions for northern villages was central to my research efforts. Our initial results are encouraging, and we continue our work as we strive to make a lasting impact.”
Sylvain Moineau, microbiology
“From the moment Sentinel North was launched, we immediately put forward the hypothesis that bacteria and their viruses would be the ideal sentinels for monitoring the changes taking place in northern ecosystems. We are very pleased to have been able to play our part in characterizing these biological entities, which are key to understanding the global challenges of the Arctic.”
Lucie Beaulieu, food sciences
“I had the chance to be part of a unique participatory research experience, where we documented certain coastal marine resources consumed by Inuit communities in Nunavik and demonstrated that their consumption did not pose a risk to human health in the context of significant environmental changes.”
Caroline Duchaine, biochemistry
“Sentinel North enabled my team to participate in an extensive study aimed at characterizing the quality of the air and buildings in northern regions of Quebec, and take an innovative molecular approach to assess the fungal contamination of residences. These advances opened avenues of research that we are continuing to explore in my laboratory.”
Flavie Lavoie-Cardinal, psychiatry and neuroscience
“I took part in the Sentinel North program as a specialist in the area of super-resolution optical microscopy and machine learning approaches adapted to the field of bio-imaging. In amalgamating my expertise with those of oceanography research teams, we were able to develop an optical nanoscopy platform that is unique in Canada, and will enable us to observe infinitesimal elements in samples ranging from sea water and brain cells to microorganisms and human biopsies.”
Normand Voyer, chemistry
“My participation in the Sentinel North program allowed me to discover amazing, vibrant and resilient communities. It opened my eyes to the rich diversity of a unique environment that is infinitely beautiful, yet also very fragile. My interactions with community members influenced the way we conducted our research in Nunavik in a way that ensures that it serves first and foremost these individuals. Our discovery of new natural substances showed the impact of unique stressors that are inherent to organisms living in the Far North, and underlines the importance of better protecting these rapidly changing ecosystems.”
Martin Bernier, optics-photonics
“As part of the Sentinel North program, I had the privilege of carrying out collaborative technological development projects with remarkable colleagues from very different disciplines, which ranged from animal biology and water engineering to geological engineering. These interdisciplinary collaborations allowed us to develop innovative technology that can be used, for example, to monitor large wildlife, measure climate active gases and characterize the permafrost.”
Benoit Gosselin, electrical engineering
“Sentinel North gave me the opportunity to design innovative systems of miniaturized, autonomous sensors specifically adapted to monitor the health status of both individuals and ecosystems in northern regions. The program also enabled me to establish highly rewarding interdisciplinary research collaborations and accelerate the transfer of these technologies to end users thanks to the invaluable support of the Technology Maturation Fund.”
A springboard for the future of research and international collaboration
Université Laval, driven by the achievements of Sentinel North, continues to make headway by capitalizing on this legacy and the vision of a future brimming with potential. The collaboration networks that were established between disciplines laid a solid foundation for risk taking and innovative research.
Sentinel North has also established or strengthened lasting partnerships with leading institutions in over 25 countries. Several concerted actions and four joint international research units have advanced Sentinel North's strategic objectives. These collaborations have fostered the sharing of cutting-edge expertise and infrastructure, while amplifying Université Laval's international reach.
The data, knowledge and collaborations stemming from Sentinel North will continue to fuel research initiatives focused on issues relating to Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. This legacy strengthens the University's ability to address major societal challenges and provide transformative solutions.
