Full professor
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction
Faculty of Medicine

Robert S. Viger, PhD, is a researcher and regular member of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction in the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval. At Université Laval, Professor Viger is also a regular member of the Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI). Professor Viger’s laboratory investigates the genetic and hormonal pathways involved in mammalian sex determination, sex differentiation, and the control of gonadal physiology. Professor Viger’s research has been continuously funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), since 1998. From 2002 to 2012, Professor Viger held the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Reproduction and Sex Development.

Understanding, preventing, and treating problems related to reproductive health

Reproductive dysfunction is a common medical condition. Problems can include issues related to dysregulated hormone production and/or action, or even male and female infertility. Research in these areas is therefore essential to better understand, diagnose, treat, and hopefully prevent these problems that can be devastating for many individuals and couples. Professor Viger’s laboratory seeks to understand the genetic and hormonal mechanisms involved in human and animal reproduction in both health and disease. The long term goal is to provide the necessary groundwork for developing novel therapies that can eventually be used to improve reproductive health, and therefore the quality of life of those affected.

Professor Viger’s laboratory is specifically interested in defining the transcriptional regulatory pathways that are involved in establishing mammalian sex determination (i.e., the formation of a testis or an ovary), sex differentiation (i.e., the development of internal and external genitalia, and therefore the typical male or female phenotype), and steroidogenesis (the production of sex hormones). Professor Viger’s research has also brought new insights into our understanding of several pathologies that affect women’s health such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome.