Dominic Dussault
Master's degree in applied microbiology (2008)
PhD in biology (2014)
Senior Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, Solina
« I believe in the path I've taken. Quebec has invested in me. Today, I'm giving back. »
What has always attracted Dominic is the concrete, the applied, the field. "My goal was never to work in academia. I always wanted to go and work in a company, to be applied more at production level", he explains. After completing a bachelor's degree in biology with a specialization in microbiology and immunology at the Université de Montréal, he discovered food microbiology and developed a real passion for it. When looking for a place to pursue his studies, he found at INRS, and more specifically in Professor Monique Lacroix's laboratory, a research environment directly aligned with his professional objectives: food irradiation and preservation.
This choice of establishment proved decisive. "INRS is a university where there are very few courses and a lot of practice and research. You develop a lot of your skills yourself," he explains. It's an apprenticeship in autonomy, forging not only the researcher, but also the manager he was to become. He has fond memories of collaborations, exchanges and debates between colleagues. “You learn to share, to challenge, to develop critical thinking skills through collaboration.”
It was also at INRS that he met his wife, with whom he started a family. This human bond, as significant as his scientific career, gives an even more personal touch to his time at the Institute.
After completing his master's and doctorate degrees, Dominic went straight into industry thanks to a BMP Innovation FRQNT-CRSNG scholarship, in partnership with a company. He first worked for food ingredient manufacturer BSA as a research and development project manager, then for the Canada Revenue Agency as a scientific advisor. There, he helps companies structure their R&D projects to benefit from tax credits.
Since 2021, he has been working for Solina, a company in the agri-food sector, where he currently holds the position of Senior Quality and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Canada. Here, he coordinates the activities of three plants, manages a team of 29 people and acts as quality leader across the international group. "We make sure products are safe, we feed people every day. It's real."
For him, INRS provided essential training to develop his autonomy, problem-solving skills and analytical approach, which he now applies to managing his teams and improving operations.
His advice to students is clear: “You have to have a plan before you start studying.” For him, clarity of purpose has guided his choices and facilitated his transition to industry. He insists: a PhD is not an end in itself, but a powerful tool... when aligned with a professional vision.
Today, he hopes to continue growing within the organization, contributing to his company's strategic plans and having an ever-greater impact. He also hopes that Quebec companies will continue to invest in research and collaborate with universities: "I believe in the path I've taken. Quebec has invested in me. Today, I'm giving back.”
[Interviewed in May 2025.]