Pierre-Alexandre Rochette
PhD in virology and immunology, 2015
Territory Director, Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAM), New England Biolabs
“My experience has taught me that INRS is full of opportunities; all we have to do is go looking for them and seize the synergies that are created with those around us.”
Pierre-Alexandre Rochette had a passion for virology and immunology long before he began his university studies in physiology at McGill University in 2003. Already during his high school years, his infatuation with biology was evident. He credits Wolfgang Petersen’s 1995 American thriller Outbreak with sparking his curiosity in the field. The film’s plot, depicting the introduction of a deadly virus into the United States via a monkey from Africa and its meteoric spread, played a part in his decision to specialize in this field. He quickly became aware of the crucial importance of understanding the mechanisms of the human body in disease situations, an aspect that strengthened his determination to pursue his studies in this direction.
This growing interest led him to INRS, despite his lack of previous experience. His discovery of INRS and the work of Professor Angela Pearson during his research captivated him deeply. After a fruitful interview, Pierre-Alexandre was accepted as a trainee in the summer of 2007, thus beginning his master’s degree, followed by a doctorate in 2009, which he completed in 2015. He points out that “INRS stands out for its inclusive and caring nature. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by its openness and support. The emphasis is on students’ personality and individuality, rather than academic performance alone. It’s an exceptional environment in which to develop both personally and professionally.”
The area of research proposed by Pre Pearson also triggered great interest in Pierre-Alexandre, who was particularly interested in the role of molecules and the large-scale perspective offered by this field. In particular, he emphasizes the logical problems and challenges posed by in vivo modelling of disease in living beings. “I was as interested in working at the molecular level as I was in stepping back to study the course of a disease, examining the role of certain genes in it, as well as potential vaccine targets. This is what really captivated me and motivated me to accept the project. The pathogenesis perspective allowed me to exploit my knowledge of human physiology, all the while applying it to a field I was discovering. It was an incredibly stimulating challenge.”
Pierre-Alexandre insists on the importance of getting involved in the activities proposed during our studies, even if they sometimes make us feel uncomfortable. “Personally, these experiences have enriched me enormously and enabled me to take full advantage of my experience at INRS”. Indeed, he played an active role throughout his studies at the Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie (AFSB), whether in his student association, as a member of the organizing committee for the Congrès Armand-Frappier, or as an animator in the Apprentis chercheurs program. “Accepting to take part in various projects has opened me up to new perspectives and taught me to interact with different types of people. My experience has taught me that INRS is full of opportunities; we must go out and look for them and seize the synergies that are created with those around us.”
Pierre-Alexandre Rochette is currently Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at New England Biolabs, an American company with a business model focused on life science research. It specializes in the production and distribution of “recombinant and native enzymatic reagents for life science research, as well as products and services supporting genome editing, synthetic biology and next generation sequencing.” This focus gives laboratories access to innovative tools for creating new treatments and advancing science. He emphasizes that his current work stems naturally from his extracurricular activities at INRS. The opportunities he has had to work on public relations, presentations and networking in a variety of activities have been instrumental in his professional development.
In his opinion, it’s important not to be afraid of taking a step into the unknown. He shares his experience: “I’ve always been interested in viruses, even though I’d never taken a virology course before. At the time, I could have been discouraged by the idea that I didn’t have the necessary experience to undertake graduate studies in this field. But I decided to go for it anyway. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and gather experience. They can prove extremely valuable for the future.”
[Interview conducted in March 2024]