Congratulations on the PheWeb2 Publication in Nature Genetics

We are delighted to celebrate an important achievement within our research community: the publication of the PheWeb2 brief paper in Nature Genetics. Congratulations to Hongyu Xiao and Daniel Taliun, as well as their collaborators, for this outstanding accomplishment!

Their article, “Exploring and visualizing stratified GWAS results with PheWeb2”, was published on 18 January 2026 in Nature Genetics (DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02469-8).

Advancing the Exploration of Stratified GWAS Data

PheWeb2 represents a complete redesign and enhancement of the original PheWeb tool, long used by the genetics community to navigate and share large-scale genome‑wide association study (GWAS) results. The new version addresses a major bottleneck in current research: the lack of intuitive tools for exploring sex‑stratified, ancestry‑stratified, and other stratified GWAS summary statistics.

The redesigned platform introduces major improvements, including:

• Interactive visual comparisons such as Miami plots and stacked LocusZoom plots for side‑by‑side analysis of stratified GWAS or PheWAS results.

• Support for numerous types of stratification, including genetic ancestry groups and sex‑specific analyses.

• A modernized software architecture, decoupling the API from the user interface to improve maintainability and facilitate integration with external tools.

• A fully updated UI built with Vue 3 and Vite, enhancing performance and ease of feature development.

These advances make PheWeb2 a powerful tool for researchers aiming to uncover subtle genetic effects that vary between population groups, ultimately helping drive new biological insights from increasingly diverse genomic datasets.

Please join us in congratulating Hongyu and Daniel on this exciting achievement!

Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada (AEG2C) Symposium Report Summary now available !

In November 2022, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Genetics (CIHR-IG) and the McGill CERC in Genomic Medicine, in partnership with Genome Canada and Genome Québec, organized an international two-day online symposium on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Genomics entitled: "Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada (AEG2C Symposium)".

The AEG2C symposium highlighted the importance and value of inclusion and diversity in genomics to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms and promote health equity. Members of the genetic and genomic community shared best practices for building a research enterprise that is diverse, inclusive, and beneficial to all, emphasizing that equitable approaches lead to better health outcomes. Lessons learned from international initiatives and Canadian studies were showcased, highlighting the need to engage diverse populations, seek input from multiple perspectives, and tailor policies and strategies to individual needs.

The full Report Summary is now available upon request at: info@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. More information here.

What's Next?

Building on the success and learnings inspired by this first edition, a second AEG2C symposium will be held on October 19-20, 2026. More information will be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned!

CERC student work highlighted by the American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG)

Alejandro Mejia Garcia, a CERC PhD student under the supervision of Sirui Zhou was recently interviewed by The American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG).

Each month, the editors of The American Journal of Human Genetics interview an author of a recently published paper. This month, they checked in with Alejandro to discuss his recent paper, “Using the ancestral recombination graph to study the history of rare variants in founder populations.”

You will be able to read the full interview here.

CERC student awarded the Spotlight Award - Confident Delivery at the Resonance event

On December 3rd, 2024 took place the inaugural Resonance Public Speaking Program, a new initiative designed by Drs. David Langlais and Andrew Churchill, together with a team of experiences trainees, to help students communicate their science clearly, confidently, and across disciplines.

Over ten weeks, participants worked with their coaches to refine their messages, sharpen delivery, and practise connecting with diverse scientific audiences across the VDIGM. The semester concluded with a 5-minute talk showcase that highlighted the breadth of research across our institute—from computational genomics to immunity and molecular engineering.

We would like to congratulate Thomas Zheng , a CERC PhD student under the supervision of Sirui Zhou for winning the Spotlight Award — Confident Delivery.

We also would like to say thanks to Tanja Sack, a CERC postdoctoral fellow in the Cuella Martin Lab for her coaching time.

3 CERC students received Excellence Awards from the Department of Human Genetics

We are proud to announce that 3 CERC students received Excellence Awards from the Department of Human Genetics. The Award Committee evaluated students’ contributions while enrolled in graduate studies in the Department of Human Genetics for 2025, including but not limited to academic performance and contributions to academic activities. Those students have made many important contributions locally, nationally and internationally in the form of talks, posters and publications. The 3 CERC nominees are:

Best MSc Publication Award

Cabré Romans, Júlia – Raquel Cuella Martin & Claude Bhérer Laboratories

Publication

Excellence Awards

Mejia Garcia, Alejandro (Ph.D. 3) – Sirui Zhou Laboratory

McClelland, Peyton (Ph.D. 4) – Daniel Taliun & Claude Bhérer Laboratories

Congratulations to the three of them !!!

Mini-Symposium & Discussion Day – October 1 2025, Recap

On October 1, 2025, the McIntyre Medical Building hosted an engaging Mini-Symposium & Discussion Day in Rooms 210/11 at 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler.

The event followed the McGill–Kyoto–ASHBi Symposium on Advances in Human Biology and Their Significance for Genomic Medicine*, continuing the momentum of cross-institutional scientific exchange on the next day October 2nd 2025

Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a series of short presentations delivered by joint McGill–Kyoto PhD students, highlighting the strong collaborative research efforts emerging from the partnership between the two universities. Their talks showcased innovative projects at the intersection of human biology and genomic medicine.

  Program

Dr. Satoshi Yoshiji CERC PI, Dr. Sirui Zhou CERC PI, Ms. Mayumi Yoshida CERC Project administrator, and Dr. Vincent Mooser, CERC Chair, were also in attendance, providing support to CERC and contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of interdisciplinary discussion and knowledge sharing.

Highlights of the Day

The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including:

• Single-cell and spatial genomics

• Epigenetics and CRISPR technologies

• Long-read sequencing and RNA innovations

Distinguished Speakers

The symposium featured renowned experts from McGill University and Kyoto University, including:

• Mitinori Saitou (ASHBi, Kyoto University)

• Mark Lathrop (McGill University)

• Yasuaki Hiraoka (ASHBi, Kyoto University)

• Claudia Kleinman (McGill University)

• Yue Li (McGill University)

• Raquel Cuella Martin (McGill University)

• Knut Woltjen (Kyoto University)

• Taka Inoue (ASHBi, Kyoto University)

• Yasuhiro Murakawa (ASHBi, Kyoto University)

• Ioannis Ragoussis (McGill University)

• Thomas Duchaine (McGill University)

CERC related Presentations

• Dr. Mark Lathrop, Scientific Director, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, shared insights into CERC activities, highlighting strategic initiatives and collaborative opportunities.

• Dr. Raquel Cuella Martin, CERC PI, presented her research alongside her team, offering an in-depth look at their latest findings.

• Two joint McGill–Kyoto PhD students, Susannah Selber- Hnaiw from Dr. Sirui Zhou lab and Masashi Hasebe from Dr. Saotshi Yoshiji Lab, delivered compelling presentations on their projects.

Networking Reception

The day concluded with a cocktail reception at the Redpath Museum (859 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal), offering attendees an informal setting to connect with speakers and collaborators.

🧬 CERC Greet and Meet — Welcoming the 2025–2026 Academic Year

September 15, 2025 — Room M48

The CERC team came together for a warm and engaging Greet and Meet event to mark the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year. Held in Room M48, the afternoon was filled with food, presentations, and meaningful conversations among students, staff, and principal investigators.

🍽️ Potluck & Meet-and-Greet (12:00–1:00 PM)

The event kicked off with a lively potluck lunch, where team members shared a variety of homemade dishes. Thanks to the organized sign-up sheet, the selection was diverse and well-balanced. The informal setting provided a great opportunity for new and returning members to connect.

🎓 Presentations & Welcome Session (1:00–2:30 PM)

The formal program began with a welcome address from the CERC Chair, Dr. Vincent Mooser, who introduced the CERC mission and outlined the core activities of the program. The Chair also welcomed new students and staff, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

The session continued with:

• CERC Principal Investigators, Dr. Daniel Taliun, Dr. Claude Bhérer, Dr. Raquel Cuella-Martin, Dr. Sirui Zhou and Dr. Satoshi Yoshiji, presenting their labs and sharing insights into their current research projects.

• The administration team, Mayumi Yoshida explaining office procedures, expectations, and resources available to support the team.

• A dedicated segment on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) by Dr. Claude Bhérer, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices and respectful collaboration within the CERC community.

• A closing reminder on data security protocols by Dr. Daniel Taliun, reinforcing best practices for handling sensitive information.

The room was fully engaged, and the session sparked thoughtful discussion and curiosity.

🌳 Mont Royal Walk (2:30 PM)

To end the afternoon, a small group of six participants took advantage of the pleasant weather and headed out for a walk to Mont Royal. Though the turnout was modest, the walk offered a refreshing opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting.

Thank you to the CERC Chair, PIs, and Admin who contributed, and to all CERC members who participated!
The event was a great start to the academic year, reinforcing our shared commitment to research excellence, collaboration, and community values.

🎉 Human Genetics Research Day 2025 – A Resounding Success!

The Human Genetics Research Day, held on May 27, 2025, was a vibrant celebration of scientific progress and student excellence. With an enthusiastic turnout of over 150 students and faculty members, the event highlighted the dynamic research being conducted within our department.

Throughout the day, CERC members showcased their work through poster presentations, 3-minute flash talks, and 12-minute oral presentations. It was truly inspiring to witness the depth of research and the outstanding communication skills demonstrated by our students.

👏 Congratulations to all our participants!
We also take this moment to celebrate and proudly recognize the three individuals who received presentation awards:

🗣️ 3-minute flash talks

• Hongyu Xiao, MSc student (Taliun Lab)

• Wardah Masud, MSc student (Cuella Martin Labs)

🧠 12-Minute Oral Presentations

• Júlia Cabré, MSc student (Bhérer & Cuella Martin Labs) – Winner

• Juliano Malizia, MSc student (Bhérer & Zhou Labs)

🧬 Poster Presentations

• Alex Chan, MSc student (Bhérer Labs)

• Olivia Cardinal, PhD student (Taliun Lab)

• Sedat Demiriz, MSc studen (Taliun Lab)

• Benjamin Benjamin Kaufman, PhD student (Bhérer Lab) – Winner

• Amisha Minju O P, PhD student (Cuella Martin Labs)

• Peyton McClelland, PhD student (Taliun Lab)

• Hongyu Xiao, MSc student (Taliun Lab)

• Chen-Yang Su, PhD student (Yoshiji & Zhou Labs)

• Thomas Zheng, PhD student (Zhou & Richards Lab) – Winner

Your outstanding work and communication skills exemplify the excellence we strive for in human genetics research. 🌟

👏 A special thank you to CERC professors; Raquel Cuella Martin, Sirui Zhou, and Satoshi Yoshiji, who generously volunteered their time to serve as judges during the event.

A successful Day of Learning, Sharing, and Connection! - CERC Scientific Retreat 2025 - Integrating EDI in Research

June 16, 2025
📍 McGill University, Trottier Building

The McGill CERC Scientific Retreat 2025, Integrating EDI in Research: Principles and Practices, organized by Prof. Claude Bhérer, Mayumi Yoshida along with the Retreat’s Committee members (below) was held on June 16th, 2025. This full-day event brought together over 35 participants—including the CERC Chair, principal investigators, staff, and trainees—for a day that was as enriching as it was energizing.

🌟 A Shared Vision for Inclusive Research

With the overarching goal of integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into all aspects of research, the retreat created a dynamic space for learning, reflection, and action. The atmosphere was warm, collaborative, and filled with enthusiasm from start to finish.

🔍 A Day of Insightful Dialogue and Hands-On Learning

The day began with inspiring opening remarks from CERC Chairholder Dr. Vincent Mooser, followed by a foundational session led by Amirah-Iman Hicks on the basics of EDI in research. An interactive quiz sparked lively discussion and set the tone for a day of active engagement.

Participants were treated to a series of thought-provoking talks by Dr. Daniel Taliun, Dr. Satoshi Yoshiji, Dr. Sirui Zhou, Dr. Raquel Cuella-Martin, and Dr. Claude Bhérer, covering topics from grant writing and genetic diversity to Indigenous research ethics and molecular biology.

A standout session on writing sex and gender considerations in grant proposals—moderated by Tanja Sack and led by Alexander Chan and Vincent Chapdelaine—gave attendees the chance to write, share, and receive feedback in real time.

🔄 Rotating Tables: Deep Dives into Complex Issues

In the afternoon, rotating activity tables invited participants to explore:

• Population Descriptors in Genomics – Claude Bhérer & Satoshi Yoshiji

• Social Determinants of Health – Alexander Chan & Amirah-Iman Hicks

• Designing Accessible Therapeutics – Raquel Cuella-Martin & Tanja Sack

These sessions sparked meaningful conversations about scientific racism, eugenics, and the ethical responsibilities of researchers in ensuring equitable outcomes.

🍽️ Intercultural Potluck: A Feast of Flavors and Friendship

One of the most beloved moments of the day was the intercultural potluck lunch, where participants shared homemade dishes representing their diverse backgrounds. The room was filled with laughter, delicious aromas, and heartfelt conversations—truly a celebration of community and culture.

🗣️ Closing Reflections and Looking Ahead

The retreat concluded with a reflective poll and closing remarks from Dr. Bhérer and Dr. Mooser, who shared insights on the evolution of EDI within the CERC program. The sense of shared purpose and renewed commitment to inclusive research was palpable.

🌿 Community, Connection, and a Breath of Fresh Air

To cap off the day, participants enjoyed a scenic walk to the Kondiaronk Belvedere—soaking in the views, sharing stories, and building lasting connections. It was the perfect ending to a truly memorable day.

This retreat was more than just a meeting—it was a joyful, energizing, and transformative experience. A heartfelt thank you to all the organizers, speakers, and participants who made it such a success. Here's to continuing the journey toward inclusive excellence in research!

Scientific Retreat Organizing Committee 2025 

FACULTY AND STAFF: Claude Bhérer (Chair),  Raquel Cuella Martin, Amirah-Iman Hicks (PCGL EDI advisor), Daniel Taliun, Satoshi Yoshiji, Mayumi Yoshida (CERC Administrator), Sirui Zhou 

VOLUNTEERS: Alexander Chan (MSc), Vincent Chapdelaine (HQP), Tanja Sack (Post-doc) ​

🌟 Celebrating Chen-Yang’s Recent Achievements

We’re thrilled to share a series of recent accomplishments that spotlight the impactful research and growing recognition of Chen-Yang Su, a valued member of the CERC community. These milestones highlight Chen-Yang’s leadership in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of social science, genomics, and precision medicine.

🏅 Post-Publication Review Selected as Top 5

Chen-Yang’s review titled “Navigating Clues to Success in Academia” was selected as one of the Top 5 submissions in the Tremplin Post-Publication Review "Win and Publish" Competition, chosen by the Tremplin Consortium Board.
📄 Read the review Navigating Clues to Success in Academia
This recognition reflects strong critical engagement with academic work and showcases emerging voices shaping scholarly discourse.

January 2025

Invited Talk – National Taiwan University
Chen-Yang was invited by National Taiwan University to deliver a talk at their Monthly Talks on Poly-omics & Precision Medicine, hosted by Prof. Pei-Lung Chen. This event gathered prominent researchers, including the CEO of Taiwan Biobank, to discuss innovations in genomics and precision medicine.
🎥 Watch the talk: YouTube – NTU Poly-omics Series

Selected for IGES Young Investigators Committee
Chen-Yang was selected by the International Genetic Epidemiology Society (IGES) to serve a two-year term on the Young Investigators Committee (YIC). This leadership role supports the development of early-career researchers in genetic epidemiology.
🔗 More about IGES YIC

May 2025

1st Prize – Oral Presentation & Panelist at QIRC/CQRM
Chen-Yang won First Prize for their oral presentation at the Congrès québécois de recherche sur les MICI (CQRM) / Quebec Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Research Conference (QIRC).
Additionally, Chen-Yang was invited to participate in a panel discussion with Mark Daly, a leading figure in genomics research.
📄 Abstract attached
📸 Event photos

May 15–16, 2025

Invited Speaker – Advances in Social Genomics Conference
Chen-Yang was invited to present at the Advances in Social Genomics Conference at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This prestigious invitation included full travel and accommodation support (~$1300 USD), generously sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, the La Follette School of Public Affairs, and the Initiative in Social Genomics
🔗 Conference details: The Advances in Social Genomics Conference – Methods 1, 2025

We applaud Chen-Yang for these well-deserved recognitions and look forward to continued impact from their work at the forefront of genomic social science and health equity research.