Guillaume Durandau and Johanne Higgins Appointed to Key Leadership Roles Within the CRIR Axis Team
Some pages published before that date may still contain the former CISSS and CIUSSS designations.
News from the CRIR Axis Team!
Biomechanics Expertise Joins Research Axis 1: Guillaume Durandau Takes the Reins!
A researcher at CRIR for the past three years, Guillaume Durandau is also an assistant professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, an associate member of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and an associate member of the Montreal Integrated Neuroscience Program. He supervises graduate students and conducts research at his Neuromechanics and Robotics Control Lab (NeuRoC Lab) at CRIR-Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of Santé Québec Laval.
Guillaume Durandau, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, McGill University
Regular Research Member
Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital (JRH) | Santé Québec Laval
Leader of Thematic Unit 1, Research Axis 1 – CRIR Research Axis Team (2026–present)
As a biomechanics researcher, Guillaume will bring expertise that fully aligns with this research axis, as well as a valuable technological perspective thanks to his background in an engineering department. His addition to the team will help enrich the scientific approaches of Axis 1 and strengthen the links between rehabilitation disciplines and engineering innovations.
Experienced Leadership at the Helm of Research Axis 1: Johanne Higgins Continues Her Commitment
A researcher at CRIR for 16 years and a member of the research Axis team for 8 years, Johanne Higgins is also a full professor in the occupational therapy program at the School of Rehabilitation in the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal. She actively supports graduate students and conducts her research at the Upper Extremity Evaluation Laboratory at CRIR-Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM) | Santé Québec Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire
Johanne Higgins, O.T., Ph.D.
Full Professor, Université de Montréal
Regular Research Member
Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM) | Santé Québec Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire
Axis Leadear for Research Axis 1 – CRIR Research Axis Team (2018-present)
Johanne will bring expertise that fully reflects the focus of Research Axis 1, thanks to her work in rehabilitation sciences and upper limb motor recovery. With eight years of experience on the research tracks team, she will provide valuable leadership and in-depth knowledge of the track’s challenges and priorities. Her appointment will help ensure the continuity of her scientific development and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations that foster innovation in rehabilitation.
We welcome them and wish them every success in their new roles!
Special thanks to Marie-Hélène Boudrias.
The CRIR directorate would like to thank Marie-Hélène Boudrias, PHT, Ph.D., for her dedication to the research axis team over the past four years. Since 2022, she has fulfilled the roles of lead researcher for Research Axis 1 and Thematic Unit 2 with diligence and generosity, contributing significantly to the CRIR’s scientific vitality. Marie-Hélène Boudrias is a neuroscientist, a physical therapist, and an associate professor at McGill University’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy. She also supervises students and conducts research at her BRAIN Laboratory Brain Research and Imaging of Neurorehabilitationat CRIR-Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of Santé Québec Laval.
Axes and thematic units
CRIR focuses its research teams on two main axis, with interdisciplinarity at the heart of the projects for the diverse client groups served by each of the clinical settings:
- Axis 1: Sensory, motor and cognitive functions and activities
- Thematic Unit 1: Functional mechanisms
- Thematic Unit 2: Physical and cognitive activities
- Axis 2: Participation, social inclusion and rehabilitation services
- Thematic Unit 1: The person, their entourage and the community
- Thematic Unit 2: Services, systems and policy
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CRIR | Septembre 15, 2026
