Maxime Teixeira, Ph. D. student

July 2025: Researcher for a Day – Family Day Edition

Role: Volunteer for the day. My role was to guide the families through the research center to visit several labs from the research center.

Mission and objectives: “Researcher for a Day” (C1J) is a free science-promotion program for 14- to 17-year-olds run by the CHU de Québec–Université Laval Research Center.

The program’s main goal is to give teens firsthand exposure to scientific careers and the latest developments in biotechnology, sparking their interest as they choose their future paths.

During a full day immersed in one of our labs, participants shadow a researcher, attend workshops to learn more about research and engineering, try standard lab techniques, and discover recent breakthroughs and cutting-edge technologies.

All activities—designed by career scientists and student researchers—are updated annually and tailored to the students’ level so they can apply classroom concepts that are hard to replicate at school due to limited equipment or facilities. These multidisciplinary workshops cover topics such as life and material sciences, environment and human health, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, fostering skills, curiosity, passion, perseverance, and ingenuity.

Beyond igniting interest in science and engineering, the discussions emphasize the importance of staying in school and present the science and technology programs offered by Québec-area higher-education institutions.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

June 2025: Parkinson’s Disease Open Day for Patients

Role: Volunteer and speaker for the day.

Mission and objectives: My role was to guide Parkinson’s disease patients through our research center so they could attend accessible presentations highlighting current research advances. I ran a microscopy workshop, showing brain sections and neuronal cultures from both affected and healthy samples. The aim was to demonstrate how we study synucleinopathies in vitro and on tissue slices to better understand their disease.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

May 2025: Poster evaluator for the JDLR 2024 from the Laval University

Role: Evaluating poster and oral presentations from summer interns, Master's and Ph. D. students.

Mission and objectives: The main objective was to rate each presentation on oral delivery, clarity of answers to questions, poster readability, and other predefined criteria. This event, organized by the faculty of Medicine is regrouping all the Ph. D. students from the faculty that applied. As a senior Ph. D. my aim was to evaluate younger Ph. D. students to challenge them on their work.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

February 2025: Volunteer and Poster evaluator for the NeuroQuébec’s Research Day conference.

Role: Volunteering to organize the day as well as evaluating poster presentations.

Mission and objectives: Neuro Québec’s mission is to bring together the vital forces of the neurosciences in the Université Laval network and to coordinate and promote the development of neuroscience and mental health research, while promoting the training of the next generation in this vast field of research.

The organization of the research day allow us to highlight the remarkable quality of the new generation of neuroscience researchers at Université Laval through scientific conferences given by young researchers, as well as to underline the quality of the research of established researchers who contribute to the reputation of Université Laval here and abroad.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

Teixeira_remerciement étudiants bénévoles recherche 2025.pdf

May 2024: Poster evaluator for the JDLR 2024 from the Laval University

Role: Evaluating poster presentations from summer interns, Master's and Ph. D. students.

Mission and objectives: The main objective was to rate each presentation on oral delivery, clarity of answers to questions, poster readability, and other predefined criteria. This event, organized by the faculty of Medicine is regrouping all the Ph. D. students from the faculty that applied. As a senior Ph. D. my aim was to evaluate younger Ph. D. students to challenge them on their work.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

August 2024: Poster and oral presentations evaluator for the Student's day from the Neuroscience Axis

Role: Evaluating poster and oral presentations from summer interns, Master's and Ph. D. students.

Mission and objectives: The main objective was to rate each presentation on oral delivery, clarity of answers to questions, poster readability, and other predefined criteria. This event, organized by the students of the Neuroscience Axis aims to give sholarship to the best students while presenting their work. The role of the evaluators is help them enhance their presentations prior going to a bigger and more competitive congress.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

February 2024: Member of the organising committee for NeuroQuébec’s Research Day conference and judge of the poster presentations.

Role: Organizing the speakers schedule, recruiting evaluators for the poster session. Helping setting up the poster room and arrangement of the registration desk. Help provided at the entrance of the event at the registration desk. I also help to book and deal with the food and coffee for the day, as well as organizing a microscopy photo contest.

I also served as a judge for the Master’s and Ph.D. poster competition, rating each presentation on oral delivery, clarity of answers to questions, poster readability, and other predefined criteria.

Mission and objectives: Neuro Québec’s mission is to bring together the vital forces of the neurosciences in the Université Laval network and to coordinate and promote the development of neuroscience and mental health research, while promoting the training of the next generation in this vast field of research.

The organization of the research day allow us to highlight the remarkable quality of the new generation of neuroscience researchers at Université Laval through scientific conferences given by young researchers, as well as to underline the quality of the research of established researchers who contribute to the reputation of Université Laval here and abroad.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

June 2023: endMS summer school 2023

Role: Driving a workshop around Hi-res microscopy. I was presenting super-resolution microscopy to the students attending the endMS Summer School, and to train them to super-resolution microscopy like the STED.

Mission and objectives: endMS Summer School is an annual interactive education program that aims to enhance knowledge and skills in MS research among trainees. Each year, Summer School brings together close to 40 trainees from a variety of disciplines to learn about one central MS-related research theme.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

endMS Summer School letter - M. Teixeira.pdf

June 2023: Volunteer member for Soapbox Science (Quebec)

Role: Volunteer. My role was to help in guiding the public to the event location and assisting Soapbox organizers. It also required my presence with the speaker for assistance with visual/demonstration props. I also handled the booth for the very yound children, animating intuitive experiments for them.

Mission and objectives: Soapbox Science is a series of annual public science communication events that bring cutting-edge science to the public, in an accessible, fun, free and un-intimidating way. The specific aim of this platform is to promote women scientists and the science they do.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

February 2023: Organizing comitee of the 2023 research day - 10th anniversary of NeuroQuébec (previously CTRN)

Role: Organizing the speakers schedule, recruiting evaluators for the poster session. Helping setting up the poster room and arrangement of the registration desk. Help provided at the entrance of the event at the registration desk.

Participation tin rebrandring the old CTRN center to NeuroQuébec for this event (new name, new merchandising, new website: https://neuroquebec.com/en/home/)

I also served as a judge for the Master’s and Ph.D. poster competition, rating each presentation on oral delivery, clarity of answers to questions, poster readability, and other predefined criteria.

Mission and objectives: Neuro Québec’s mission is to bring together the vital forces of the neurosciences in the Université Laval network and to coordinate and promote the development of neuroscience and mental health research, while promoting the training of the next generation in this vast field of research.

The organization of the research day allow us to highlight the remarkable quality of the new generation of neuroscience researchers at Université Laval through scientific conferences given by young researchers, as well as to underline the quality of the research of established researchers who contribute to the reputation of Université Laval here and abroad.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

June 2022: Volunteer member for Soapbox Science (Quebec)

Role: Volunteer. My role was to help in guiding the public to the event location and assisting Soapbox organizers. It also required my presence with the speaker for assistance with visual/demonstration props. I also designed a dedicated website for the organization (credited at the bottom of the page: https://www.soapboxscience-quebec-city.ca/ ).

Mission and objectives: Soapbox Science is a series of annual public science communication events that bring cutting-edge science to the public, in an accessible, fun, free and un-intimidating way. The specific aim of this platform is to promote women scientists and the science they do.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality).

March 2022: Volunteer member for Cerveau en tête

Role: Volunteer. I gave some presentations, with another student (Eva Lépinay), on the effect of drugs on the brain to high school students.

Mission and objectives: The Brain Awareness Committee - Quebec was created in 2009 and has several projects that all have a common objective: to promote and popularize neuroscience research among the general public. These initiatives take the form of conferences and interactive workshops that are mainly offered to children, adolescents and young adults.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 3: Good health and well-being; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

January 2022: Evaluation of summer-intern applications for recruitment to the CHU de Québec Neurosciences Axis

Role: Volunteer evaluator to evaluate the applications of the summer-intern applying to the CR-CHUQ Research Center (for the internal scholarship), Neuroscience Axis. My role was to evaluate applications based on several criteria: Grades, Motivations, Technical Skills, and general presentation.

Mission and objectives: The primary goal was to ensure a fair assessment of every applicant. To that end, all jury members met jointly to pool their evaluations and deliberate, ultimately selecting the summer intern who will receive the scholarship for academic excellence. This assignment provides valuable experience in reviewing applications, organizing a selection committee, and collaborating effectively as a team.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

October 2021: Donnor for Action Against Anger through ZEvent

Role: Donation to the association Action Against Anger.

Mission and objectives: Created in 1979, this association is a non-governmental organization of international solidarity (NGO) - Action Against Hunger - fights against hunger in the world. Conflicts, climate change, poverty, inequalities in access to water and healthcare are all causes of malnutrition. Our mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of undernutrition, particularly during and after emergency situations related to conflicts and natural disasters.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 3: Good health and well-being; SDG 2: Zero hunger).

September 2021: Volunteer member for Soapbox Science (Quebec)

Role: Volunteer. My role was to help in guiding the public to the event location and assisting Soapbox organizers. It also required my presence with the speaker for assistance with visual/demonstration props.

Mission and objectives: Soapbox Science is a series of annual public science communication events that bring cutting-edge science to the public, in an accessible, fun, free and un-intimidating way. The specific aim of this platform is to promote women scientists and the science they do. This is tthe second time the event is held in Quebec (11th of September, 2021).

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality).

May 2021 - September 2024: Member of the NTRC executive committee (Neuroscience Thematic Research Center)

Role: Volunteer member of the executive committee. Student representative (CHUL, CERVO, HEJ).

Mission and objectives: The mission of the NTRC is to promote research and training in neuroscience within Université Laval's network.

The NTRC is an academic centre fostering active interactions and collaboration between researchers working in different areas of neuroscience, including basic neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, psychology and psychiatry.

Its purpose is to ensure that high quality research undertaken by its members will lead to a better understanding of normal brain functioning and the development of effective therapies to counter diseases that affect this complex organ.

The NTRC is a rallying point for all neuroscientists at Université Laval and in the Quebec city area, yet it is open to everyone interested in neuroscience in Quebec and around the world.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

January 2021: Evaluation of summer-intern applications for recruitment to the CHU de Québec Neurosciences Axis

Role: Volunteer evaluator to evaluate the applications of the summer-intern applying to the CR-CHUQ Research Center (for the internal scholarship), Neuroscience Axis. My role was to evaluate applications based on several criteria: Grades, Motivations, Technical Skills, and general presentation.

Mission and objectives: The primary goal was to ensure a fair assessment of every applicant. To that end, all jury members met jointly to pool their evaluations and deliberate, ultimately selecting the summer intern who will receive the scholarship for academic excellence. This assignment provides valuable experience in reviewing applications, organizing a selection committee, and collaborating effectively as a team.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

June 2020: Volunteer member of the PhD Balance community.

Role: Volunteer member of the community.

Mission and objectives: PhD Balance is a collaborative community empowering graduate students to build their personal and professional resilience. By collecting resources to support academic and career success, such as sharing stories (Instagram, Twitter) of Academics overcoming mental health issues, we are building a diverse, international community that believes emotional well-being is a component of health and performance. We believe that personal stories carry more weight than just statistics. People relate to others’ accounts and can find inspiration to support themselves, connect with others, and even feel less alone (a major problem for graduate students, in general, and especially for those struggling with mental illness).

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being; SDG 8: Decent Work and Econonic Growth).

September 2020: Volunteer member for Soapbox Science (Quebec)

Role: Volunteer. My role was to help in guiding the public to the event location and assisting Soapbox organizers. It also required my presence with the speaker for assistance with visual/demonstration props.

Mission and objectives: Soapbox Science is a series of annual public science communication events that bring cutting-edge science to the public, in an accessible, fun, free and un-intimidating way. The specific aim of this platform is to promote women scientists and the science they do. This year, the event was held for the first time in Québec (19th of September, 2020).

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality).

October 2019: Scientific popularizer at Journée Parkinson Estrie et Québec-Coeur des Laurentides

Role: Volunteer scientific popularizer. 2 hours talk composed of a series of 10 minutes talks presented to seven groups of Parkinson's disease patients and their families.

Mission and objectives: The talks covered topics that describe state of the art advances in cell culture methods and fluorescent microscopy. The aim was to educate patients about the important place of research in the development of new therapies.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 4: Quality Education).

October 2019: Donnor for Institut Pasteur through ZEvent

Role: Donation to the association Institut Pasteur.

Mission and objectives: Institut Pasteur is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases, primarily infectious diseases, through research, innovation, teaching, and public health activities.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

September 2019 - 2023: Member of the CÉNS (Comité Étudiant en NeuroSciences)

Role: Volunteer member holding two main roles (1) Head of the Newsletter editorial board and (2) Member of the yearly Career Days Organizing Committee.

Precisely, I’m present at the organizations meetings and all the events organized by the committee. I help in (1) the organization of student seminars where students have the opportunity to present their research work in front of students and investigators, (2) the editorial board of the newsletter of CHUL where I write articles based on recent papers published in highly distinguished journals focused on cutting edge technology, (3) the organization of the “Career Days” which aims at presenting career opportunities to students who wish to follow an academic/scientific path at ULaval.

Mission and objectives: The mission of the CÉNS is to strengthen the sense of belonging of Neuroscience students as well as to help them build a strong CV. To do so, we organize student seminars, evaluated by researchers, as well as internal poster presentation competitions.

The CÉNS was established in February 2014 and is composed of graduate students who have volunteered to work in the best interest of our student community.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

September 2017 - Present: Member of the Institut Pour la Justice (IPJ)

Role: Member of the association. Helping in setup petitions.

Mission and objectives: The Institute for Justice (IPJ) is a French think tank and association under the French law of 1901 that advocates for reforms in the French justice system. Founded in 2007, the Institute has made a name for itself through the dissemination of petitions, including its "2012 Pact for Justice," which received attention in the fall of 2011. Since October 2013, the association has published the French Journal of Criminology and Criminal Law twice a year.

The statutory aim of the Institute for Justice is "to promote a justice system that is more protective of citizens and fairer to victims". According to its statutes, the purpose of the association is "to listen to, guide and support victims and their families, to promote a better organization of the judicial system and to defend the fundamental rights of the individual.

The association is presented by Le Figaro Magazine as a body that "wants to give a voice to the silent majority, to this France that demands a more efficient justice.

This action is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) voted by the members of the United Nations (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).