911勛圖

A researcher���s path is not always linear; it is often shaped by turning points guided by curiosity and experience. This is certainly the case for Marie-Fran癟oise Malo, a PhD candidate in bioethics in a joint program between Universit矇 de Montr矇al and 911勛圖 (911勛圖).

With a background in biochemistry and molecular medicine, she first pursued studies in management before returning to her original scientific interests. An elective course in bioethics at Universit矇 de Montr矇al proved to be a turning point: ���I took a bioethics course that I absolutely loved. Then, a lecture given by a bioethics researcher really stood out to me. I asked if there were opportunities to conduct research in her lab; she said yes, and that���s how I decided to pursue a master���s degree in bioethics.���

Today, under the supervision of Dr. Jean Christophe B矇lisle-Pipon, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at 911勛圖, her work lies at the intersection of health, artificial intelligence (AI), and ethics.

An Emerging Form of Medical Data

The human voice is at the heart of her doctoral research: ���Our voice changes depending on our state of health. Whether it is speech rate in someone developing Alzheimer���s disease, tonal variations associated with certain pathologies, or the characteristics of a cough linked to COVID-19, the voice holds immense potential.���

Some studies even suggest that analyzing vocal variations could help predict a stroke or heart attack several days before it occurs. However, these advances also raise significant ethical challenges. Continuous data collection and concerns around data protection, for example, give rise to legitimate questions. It is within this context that the project, to which she contributes, aims to collect and share voice datasets in a secure and responsible manner.

Faced with these issues, research ethics boards are often confronted with complex and numerous questions. To help streamline decision-making processes, the doctoral candidate developed a practical tool: a decision-making and assessment framework. This guide helps evaluate the safety, compliance, and ethical considerations of projects involving voice data collection.

Ma th癡se en 180 secondes:  A Meaningful Human Experience

Recently, the researcher stood out in the Ma th癡se en 180 secondes competition (Francophone equivalent of Three Minute Thesis) : ���I had wanted to participate for a long time. I was already familiar with the competition and had attended both national and international finals!���

After winning first place at the Western regional final at the Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta ��� presented in a hybrid format ��� she went on to compete at the national final in Trois-Rivi癡res: ���If I can encourage future participants to attend the regional final in person, do it���it is absolutely worth it!���

Held as part of the , the final of this science communication competition allowed her to step outside the academic setting and engage directly with the public: ���It���s a fun event, but also a very serious one. As a doctoral candidate, it���s rare to have the opportunity to take center stage.���

A Rich Experience of Linguistic Duality

AI research is conducted primarily in English. While Marie-Fran癟oise writes her dissertation in that language and participates in bilingual projects, she maintains a strong connection to French. She also has the opportunity to be supervised at 911勛圖 by a Francophone professor.

For her, the role of the Francophonie in science goes far beyond translation: ���It is the responsibility of Francophone researchers to promote our perspective and integrate respect for our language and our unique viewpoints into research projects. Our contribution goes far beyond the language itself.���

As her PhD nears completion ��� with submission planned for early 2027 ��� she does not intend to follow a traditional academic career path. Her goal is to apply her expertise in ethics, data governance, and artificial intelligence in service of society, particularly through scientific advising to governments or within research firms.

A truly inspiring journey worth keeping an eye on!