Jason J. LeBlanc

Credentials

• Director of Virology/Immunology/Molecular Microbiology, Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova Scotia Health
• Fellow of the Canadian College of Microbiologists (FCCM)
• Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiologists [d(ABMM)

Biography

Personal statement

Early in my career, I realized that I wanted to perform research that is relevant to healthcare providers and services. The foundation for my research endeavors were forged from my BSc (Health Sciences), MSc (Biochemistry), and my interests in molecular pathogenesis during my PhD (Microbiology and Immunology). Afterwards, during my training in clinical microbiology, I was on the frontline during a large mumps outbreak and a busy influenza virus season. With expertise in molecular microbiology, I helped develop rapid diagnostic tests to help meet the demands of the clinical laboratory and public health. These experiences solidified my research career path. After becoming a board certified Clinical Microbiologist, I was employed by Nova Scotia Health (NSH) [formerly the Nova Scotia Health Authority and Capital District Health Authority]. I now act as Director of Virology, Immunology, and Molecular Microbiology for NSH, and currently run a large diagnostics laboratory responsible for COVID-19 diagnostic testing in Nova Scotia. Be able to blend my clinical and research laboratories has created many collaborative opportunities that bridge the overlapping interests of academic collaborators, clinical laboratories, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other national and international stakeholders. My research interests focus on molecular diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, and molecular pathogenesis, with application to the fields of vaccine-preventable diseases and emerging respiratory bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.

Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN)

Over the years, interests in prevention of respiratory disease has lead me to become an active investigator for CIRN; a national network of hospitals spanning several Canadian provinces. My research laboratory provides reference molecular and serological testing for the CIRN Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network. By developing laboratory tools to help support vaccine-related research, we can better our understanding of the burden of vaccine-preventable respiratory illnesses caused by pathogens such as pneumococcus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For example, since 2009 the CIRN SOS Network has been performing prospective surveillance in Canadian adults hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Molecular serotyping tools developed in my laboratory were instrumental in establish the burden of pneumococcal disease that is vaccine-preventable in Canada, and other assays were used to characterize the burden of influenza and RSV. This research provides valuable information to help the make informed recommendations on the use of vaccines. My interactions with the CIRN SOS Network has helped create opportunities for research dissemination both nationally and internationally to stakeholders such as the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and global industry collaborators.

Public health research

Since identifying the first cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Canada, our clinical and research laboratories collaborate regularly with the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on emerging viruses and vaccine-preventable illnesses. Being well versed in molecular biology and clinical microbiology has helped develop novel diagnostic tests for the detection and surveillance of emerging diseases, and this has provide data to help guide health care providers and policy makers. My research on microorganisms of public health concern like ebola virus, influenza virus (including H7N9), Streptococcus pneumoniae, enterovirus D68, measles, and mumps has helped PHAC and frontline diagnostic laboratories in the identification and preparedness for these respiratory pathogens. More recently, as co-Chair of the PHAC Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network (CPHLN) Respiratory virus (ReVi) working group, we have recently discussed many aspects the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) form development and assessment of diagnostics, surveillance strategies, biosafety considerations, and developed best practice guidelines to help healthcare providers.