News

May 11th, 2021

Moncton, NB –After two successful decades and a long list of accomplishments, Dr. Rodney Ouellette has made the decision to step down as President and CEO of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute. For the last 20 years ACRI has grown significantly under his steady leadership and wisdom.

Since 1998, Dr. Ouellette grew ACRI from two to almost 60 employees and built the Institute as the global centre of excellence for precision medicine that it is known for today. The Institute has thrived in a very competitive environment with larger facilities in urban centres.

During the last 20 years Dr. Ouellette secured over $100 Million in research funding and investments to New Brunswick and attracted numerous highly qualified and sought-after researchers to work at the Institute. Under Dr. Ouellette’s leadership ACRI has successfully marketed numerous inventions and secured patents Worldwide.

“ACRI was Dr. Ouellette’s vison and he turned that into a reality. From a small two-person facility to a globally recognized leader in cancer research. The Institute has excelled under his expertise and ACRI would not be what it is today without his leadership,” said Ms. Nicole Gionet, ACRI Board Chair. “Dr. Ouellette and his team have been focused on finding solutions to cancer that ultimately improve patient care here in New Brunswick and around the world.  We are proud to carry on his work and can never thank him enough for all he has done.”

“There is something very special about ACRI and I feel extremely privileged and fortunate to have worked with a professional and brilliant team of experts in their field,” said Dr. Rodney Ouellette, “and I look forward to continuing clinical duties as Head of the Vitalité Health Network Molecular Genetics Laboratory and my research as interim Scientific Director at ACRI. I am passionate about cancer research and happy to continue contributing to it.”

The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Brigitte Sonier-Ferguson, Vice-President University Mission at Vitalité Health Network as acting CEO at ACRI as of May 3rd, 2021. Brigitte’s new responsibilities with the Health Network and her active involvement in the ACRI Board of Directors make her the ideal candidate for this role.   “Dr. Ouellette leaves a big legacy, and it will be a challenge to step up and fulfill his role, but we are committed to continuing the great work and progress he has made as we work to bring the Institute to its next level of its evolution through close partnerships with other stakeholders in the province such as the Vitalité Health Network and Université de Moncton.,” added Ms. Sonier-Ferguson.

About the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute

ACRI is a partner non-profit research organization founded in 1998 and located within the New Brunswick Center for Precision Medicine in Moncton. ACRI works on cutting edge research in the quest to find solutions to cancer and impact patient care in the region and around the world. ACRI scientists also work with partners around the globe to advance their research with the aim to improve patient care through precision medicine. ACRI researchers are making significant contributions in areas such liquid biopsy for diagnosis, treatment monitoring and response as wells as other focus on gene editing and targeted treatments.

ACRI is a team of over fifty researchers with a wide range of expertise in genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, pathology, mass spectrometry as well in vitro and in vivo testing. Through its work, ACRI is making positive contributions to research efforts locally and globally, all aimed at defeating cancer.