Dr. Armand Frappier

His legacy

His goals

In founding a research institute, Dr. Frappier wanted to achieve four goals: the production of biological products, research, teaching, and community service.

Throughout his career at the Institute, Dr. Frappier created laboratories that were often the first of their kind in Quebec and among the first of their kind in Canada. He also organized the production of current vaccines, particularly new ones against tuberculosis, polio, influenza, measles, whooping cough, and several other diseases.

In short, Dr. Frappier was a pioneer in the field of microbiological research and preventive medicine in Canada.

His dream

In 1939, while on a business trip to Paris, Dr. Frappier was struck by the concrete and animated presentations of microbiology at the Musée de l’Homme. From that moment, he dreamt of a museum in Montreal whose goal would be to sensitize and educate the public about preventive medicine.

HIS LEGACY

Today his work continues through 3 institutions.

Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre – INRS

The Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, a constituent of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), is contributing to the efforts of Quebecers in research, training, and technological transfer in the areas of human, animal, and environmental health. The Center, regrouping about fifty professor-researchers, is using its important expertise in immunology and microbiology to understand how microorganisms, cancer cells, or transplanted organs influence the immune system.

The Armand-Frappier Foundation

Created in 1978, the Fondation Armand-Frappier has shown vitality and commitment in the pursuit of its philanthropic work and has actively contributed to the advancement of health research.

The goal of the Fondation is to support the continuation of the work of Armand Frappier, the founder of the Institut de microbiologie et d’hygiène de Montréal, created in 1938. The institute took on the name of its founder in 1975, after its affiliation to the Université du Québec in 1972. A constituent of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) since 1988, the Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre continues to excel in research in several areas related to public health, particularly in the fight against infectious diseases, and in training future researchers in master’s and doctoral programs.

Le Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier

In 1992, in honor of her father, Dr. Lise Frappier-Davignon founded the Armand Frappier Museum, a bioscience interpretation center now called the Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier. The Museum’s mission is to publicize the life work of Dr. Frappier, Pasteurian microbiologist, a proponent of preventive medicine, and builder of a research institute and other enterprises, as well as to promote scientific knowledge among the public, especially young people. The Museum also collects and preserves Quebec’s scientific heritage with respect to microbiology and biotechnology.

View of the campus of the Institut Armand-Frappier ©Dessin original de Lorne H. Bouchard, RCA.

Photograph of Dr. Frappier during one of his trips to France © Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier

Photograph of Thérèse Ostiguy-Frappier and Dr. Armand Frappier at the presentation of a bust of Pasteur offered by the employees on the Institute’s 25^th anniversary ©Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier

Lise Frappier-Davignon in front of the Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier in Laval. The Museum opened in 1994. ©Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier

The Armand-Frappier Award

In his memory, the government of Quebec has given his name to one of its prestigious scientific awards, which is given on a yearly basis.

Excerpt from the Prix du Québec website:

« The prix Armand-Frappier is awarded since 1993, to a person who has had a career in research and contributed to the development of a research institute or who has dedicated his career to the administration or promotion of research and in doing so has supported the training of new researchers and promoted the public’s interest in science and technology. All scientific disciplines are recognized for this award. »

Learn more about Dr. Armand Frappier’s life

The Man

His career