Biography
Dr. Jasmin obtained his PhD from the Université de Montréal. Following postdoctoral training in Paris, France, he worked as a Research Associate at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Throughout his training, Dr. Jasmin has focused his work on cellular and molecular neurobiology.
Prior to becoming Interim Dean in July 2017 and permanent Dean in October 2018, Dr. Jasmin assumed the role of Vice-Dean, Research, in the Faculty of Medicine (2009-2017). He was initially recruited to the University of Ottawa as an Assistant Professor by the Department of Physiology. He quickly moved through the ranks and was promoted to Full Professor within eight years of his arrival at the Faculty. In addition, Dr. Jasmin co-founded the University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease and acted as one of its co-Directors for three years. From 2002 to 2009, Dr. Jasmin was Chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM). Early in 2017, Dr. Jasmin was also named Vice-President, Research, at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC).
In his leadership roles, Dr. Jasmin has consistently worked closely with all stakeholders from the University, Faculty, and affiliated Hospitals and Research Institutes, to either lead or assist in the development of a number of flagship programs and initiatives that have had a clear positive impact on the educational and research missions of the Faculty of Medicine. In particular, Dr. Jasmin has been instrumental in the marked increase in research intensity seen in the Faculty of Medicine, while playing key roles in the establishment of several broad-based strategic initiatives including the Brain and Mind Research Institute, the Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, and the design and implementation of a joint recruitment plan for Professors/Scientists with Clinical Departments and affiliated Research Institutes. Dr. Jasmin also greatly facilitated the accreditation for the following graduate programs: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Epidemiology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Neuroscience, with all programs receiving high rankings. In addition, Dr. Jasmin strongly supported the development and creation of the Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, the Department of Innovation in Medical Education (DIME), the MD/PhD Program and, more recently, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
While assuming various leadership roles, Dr. Jasmin has maintained an internationally recognized research program that focuses on defining signaling pathways and regulatory events that control expression of synaptic genes and proteins in neurons and skeletal muscle cells. In his work, the emphasis is placed on studying fundamental questions that are relevant for our understanding of the physiopathology of various neuromuscular diseases and for developing novel therapeutics for these diseases. Over the course of his career, Dr. Jasmin has published more than 135 scientific articles and book chapters, mostly as senior investigator. The excellence of his work has not only been recognized by several awards, including CIHR New Investigator, CIHR Investigator, and CIHR/IMHA Quality of Life Award, but in addition, by invitations to present at prestigious meetings and institutions around the world. Most recently, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 in recognition of his research accomplishments as well as his commitment to international partnerships.