Members of the McGill Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Genomic Medicine team participated in the 2026 DNA to RNA (D2R) Research Symposium, which features research from trainees and investigators involved in D2R’s research program.
Among this year’s highlights, Alexander Chan was awarded the Best Poster Award for his presentation titled:
“Developing National Data Standards to Enable Secondary Use of Sociodemographic Data for Genetic Epidemiology Studies and Population‑Based Inferences.”
About the D2R Research Symposium
Held annually by the DNA to RNA (D2R) Research Program, the symposium brings together trainees, clinicians, and scientists to share innovative projects spanning genomics, data science, and biomedical research. The event provides a platform for emerging researchers to present their work through posters and short talks, fostering cross‑disciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
The 2026 symposium highlighted the breadth of research underway within D2R, with a strong emphasis on data integration, population genetics, and translational impact.
More information about the event is available on the D2R website:
https://www.mcgill.ca/dna-to-rna/channels/event/d2r-research-symposium-2026-371595
Award‑Winning Poster: Advancing Sociodemographic Data Standards
Alexander Chan’s award‑winning poster addressed a critical and timely challenge in genetic epidemiology: the lack of standardized sociodemographic data across national datasets.
Working under the supervision of Dr. Claude Bhérer, Alex is a contributor to the Pan‑Canadian Genome Library’s (PCGL) Data Diversity Working Group. His project focuses on developing nationally harmonized standards for the collection and secondary use of sociodemographic variables, such as age and geographic location, in large‑scale genomic studies.
This work is essential for ensuring that population‑based genetic analyses can accurately distinguish true genetic effects from confounding social determinants of health. Without consistent sociodemographic standards, observed genetic associations with disease risk may instead reflect underlying differences in social, environmental, or structural factors.
By improving how these data are defined, stored, and reused, Alex’s work supports more equitable, reproducible, and scientifically robust genomic research across Canada. The Best Poster Award recognizes both the methodological rigor of the project and its potential impact on national genomic research infrastructure.
Strong CERC Representation at the Symposium
In addition to the poster presentations, several trainees from the CERC in Genomic Medicine delivered oral presentations at the symposium, further underscoring the team’s active role within the D2R research community. CERC students who gave talks included:
Benjamin Kaufman
Julia Cabre‑Romans
Megan Tsao
Thomas Zheng
Their presentations covered diverse topics aligned with D2R’s mission to integrate genomic, molecular, and population‑level data to improve health outcomes.
Celebrating Trainee Excellence
Alexander Chan’s Best Poster Award and the participation of multiple CERC trainees highlight the strong engagement of the CERC in Genomic Medicine within the D2R research community. Together, these contributions reflect ongoing work in population genomics, data standards, and methodological development that supports large‑scale, collaborative genomic research in Canada.
Congratulations to Alexander Chan on this well‑deserved recognition, and to all CERC students who shared their work at the 2026 D2R Research Symposium.