{"id":32046,"date":"2026-09-15T12:06:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T16:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crir.ca\/guillaume-durandau-et-johanne-higgins-nommes-a-des-roles-cles-au-sein-de-lequipe-des-axes-du-crir\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T08:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T12:19:11","slug":"guillaume-durandau-et-johanne-higgins-nommes-a-des-roles-cles-au-sein-de-lequipe-des-axes-du-crir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crir.ca\/en\/guillaume-durandau-et-johanne-higgins-nommes-a-des-roles-cles-au-sein-de-lequipe-des-axes-du-crir\/","title":{"rendered":"Guillaume Durandau and Johanne Higgins Appointed to Key Leadership Roles Within the CRIR Axis Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

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News from the CRIR Axis Team!<\/strong><\/h1>\n
The Directorate at CRIR’s Administrative Headquarters is proud to announce the appointment of researcher Guillaume Durandau (CRIR-JRH)<\/strong> as Head of Thematic Unit 1, Research Axis 1<\/strong>, and researcher Johanne Higgins (CRIR-IURDPM) <\/strong>as Lead of Research Axis 1.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n

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Biomechanics Expertise Joins Research Axis 1: Guillaume Durandau Takes the Reins!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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)<\/a> at CRIR-Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Laval.<\/p>\n

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Guillaume Durandau, Ph.D.<\/a><\/h3>\n

Assistant Professor, McGill University
\nRegular Research Member
\nJewish Rehabilitation Hospital (JRH) | Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Laval<\/p>\n

Leader of Thematic Unit 1, Research Axis 1 \u2013 CRIR Research Axis Team <\/strong>(2026\u2013present)<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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Experienced Leadership at the Helm of Research Axis 1: Johanne Higgins Continues Her Commitment<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Chercheuse au CRIR depuis 16 ans et impliqu\u00e9e au sein de l’\u00e9quipe des axes depuis 8 ans, Johanne Higgins est \u00e9galement professeure titulaire au programme d\u2019ergoth\u00e9rapie de l\u2019\u00c9cole de r\u00e9adaptation de la Facult\u00e9 de m\u00e9decine de l\u2019Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al. Elle soutient activement les personnes \u00e9tudiantes aux cycles sup\u00e9rieurs et m\u00e8ne ses activit\u00e9s de recherche au sein du Laboratoire d’\u00e9valuation du membre sup\u00e9rieur<\/a><\/span><\/strong>,<\/span>\u00a0au CRIR-Institut universitaire sur la r\u00e9adaptation en d\u00e9ficience physique de Montr\u00e9al (IURDPM) | Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Centre-Sud-de-l\u2019\u00cele-de-Montr\u00e9al – Universitaire.<\/span><\/div>\n
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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 Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al. She actively supports graduate students and conducts her research at the Upper Extremity Evaluation Laboratory<\/a> at CRIR-Institut universitaire sur la r\u00e9adaptation en d\u00e9ficience physique de Montr\u00e9al (IURDPM)<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Centre-Sud-de-l\u2019\u00cele-de-Montr\u00e9al \u2013 Universitaire<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Johanne Higgins, O.T., Ph.D.<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

Full Professor, Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al
\nRegular Research Member
\nInstitut universitaire sur la r\u00e9adaptation en d\u00e9ficience physique de Montr\u00e9al (IURDPM)<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Centre-Sud-de-l’\u00cele-de-Montr\u00e9al – Universitaire<\/span><\/p>\n

Axis Leadear for Research Axis 1 – CRIR Research Axis Team\u00a0<\/strong>(2018-present)<\/p>\n

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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\u2019s challenges and priorities. Her appointment will help ensure the continuity of her scientific development and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations that foster innovation in rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

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We welcome them and wish them every success in their new roles!<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Special thanks to Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Boudrias.<\/strong>
\nThe CRIR directorate would like to thank <\/em>Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Boudrias, PHT, Ph.D.<\/a>,<\/em> 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\u2019s scientific vitality. Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Boudrias is a neuroscientist, a physical therapist, and an associate professor at McGill University\u2019s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy. She also supervises students and conducts research at her\u00a0BRAIN Laboratory Brain Research and Imaging of Neurorehabilitation<\/a><\/em>at CRIR-Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec Laval.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Axes and thematic units<\/h2>\n
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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:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n