Full professor
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Bioinformatics
Faculty of Science and Engineering

Professor Lisa Topolnik is a full professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Bioinformatics at Université Laval. Her academic career began in 2007 at Université Laval, where she was hired as an assistant professor while actively contributing to research at the Université Laval Robert-Giffard Research Center. Her recruitment was part of the strategic initiative in biophotonics, related to the creation of the Neurophotonics Center.

Her expertise in optophysiological and optogenetic technologies has allowed her to play a leading role in the development of neurophotonics at Université Laval. In addition to her academic achievements, she has also played a key role in promoting multidisciplinary research, educating future researchers as a professor at the “Frontiers in Neurophotonics” international school.

Recognized for her research excellence, she has received support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s National Program for Women in Science and Engineering, and has been honored with the “Star Professor” and “Inspirational Personality” awards from the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Prof. Topolnik’s research program focuses on the cellular and synaptic mechanisms involved in the coordination and processing of information within cortical circuits. In the field of signaling and synaptic plasticity, her team studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory using cutting-edge techniques such as two-photon microscopy, miniaturized and wireless microscopy on freely behaving animals during learning, pharmacogenetics and optogenetics. Specifically, they seek to understand the cellular diversity and functional specialization of GABAergic interneurons in cortical circuits.

Prof. Topolnik’s research also investigates circuit dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. To understand the underlying mechanisms of these changes, her team uses advanced optical techniques on transgenic mouse models and conducts opto- and pharmacogenetic interventions to restore the function of affected synapses, cells, and circuits.