Dr. Catherine Girard

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Catherine Girard is an assistant professor specializing in viral ecology and recognized for her research in Arctic microbial ecology. She focuses on molecular ecological descriptions of microorganisms in extreme habitats such as glaciers, oligotrophic lakes, and bioaerosols. Her research particularly addresses the interactions between viruses and microbial hosts in the face of environmental change, illuminating the biodiversity of polar microbiomes and their role in transforming ecosystem services in the North. With 15 years of experience in northern research, Catherine collaborates with Inuit partners to develop collaborative projects. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Montreal in 2018 and a B.Sc. in Biology from the same university in 2011. She previously served as an assistant professor in Microbiology at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi from 2020 to 2025 and worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Viral Ecology at Laval University from 2018 to 2020.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2020-01-01 — 2025-01-01

Laval University • Quebec

Teaching and conducting research in the field of Microbiology.

Postdoctoral Fellow

2018-01-01 — 2020-01-01

Laval University • Quebec

Conducted research in Viral Ecology.

Requirements for Laval University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.22
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
PTE
Overall
Required:53
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in business or related field Basic college-level mathematics
Application Checklist
  • Resume
  • Letter of intent
  • Academic transcripts
  • French proficiency test results (TCF/TFI)
Specialization Notes

Department of Management / MBA programs often require higher GPAs and specific English proficiency.