A geneticist and retired genetic counsellor with an impressive track record of leadership, research and advocacy in the field of rare diseases.

Dr. Ouellette holds a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University of Montreal and completed postdoctoral studies in genetic epidemiology at the Center for Human Genetics in Leuven, Belgium. She began her research career at Algène Biotechnologies / Signalgène, where she focused on identifying genes involved in complex diseases within founder populations. In 1999, she transitioned from research to clinical practice, earning a master’s degree in genetic counselling from McGill University and later working as a genetic counsellor at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke.

A passionate advocate for the rare disease community, Dr. Ouellette has been volunteering with rare disease associations in Quebec and across Canada since 2005. In 2010, she co-founded the Regroupement québécois des maladies orphelines (RQMO) alongside patients and associations representing those living with rare diseases. She served as the founding president of the RQMO and its iRARE Centre—a support and information hub for individuals and families affected by rare conditions—until 2023. In 2024, she extended this vision nationally by becoming the founding president of the Canadian iRARE Centres.

Through her unique perspective as a health professional and former researcher, Dr. Ouellette has consistently worked to inform and support families living with rare diseases, raise awareness among medical professionals and the public, promote knowledge exchange, and facilitate connections between patients and researchers to advance understanding in the field.

Dr. Ouellette brings decades of dedication and expertise to every initiative she leads, making her a vital voice in Canada’s rare disease landscape.