The Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit (RECRU) has its roots in more than six decades of respiratory and epidemiological research at McGill University.
1964
Dr. J. Corbett McDonald reshaped McGill's Department of Public Health, which was renamed the Department of Epidemiology and Health and relocated to the Lyman Duff Building.
1964–1972
Under Dr. McDonald, the Department included three laboratories focused on viral, environmental, and pulmonary research. Dr. Margaret Becklake was recruited to establish the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, laying the foundation for what would later become RECRU.
1974–1983
Under Department Director Dr. Robert Oseasohn, the scope of research expanded to encompass a broader range of clinical topics.
1984
Under Department Director Dr. Walter Spitzer, the Department relocated to Purvis Hall, while the Pulmonary Function Laboratory moved to Lady Meredith House. Reflecting its increasing focus on the epidemiology of lung disease, the Pulmonary Function Laboratory evolved into the Respiratory Epidemiology Unit, with Dr. Margaret Becklake serving as its first Director.
1990–1995
Under the leadership of Dr. Pierre Ernst, the Respiratory Epidemiology Unit expanded its emphasis on clinical research and on the study of patient populations served by the Montreal Chest Institute, particularly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and tuberculosis.
1995–2004
Dr. Dick Menzies became Director of the Respiratory Epidemiology Unit as the unit continued to expand its clinical research activities. In May 2003, the Respiratory Epidemiology Unit relocated from Lady Meredith House to the Montreal Chest Institute. To reflect its growing emphasis on clinical research, the unit was renamed the Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit (RECRU).
2005–2015
Under the leadership of Dr. Jean Bourbeau, RECRU continued to expand its clinical and epidemiological research programs, including major contributions in COPD, chronic disease management, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
2015–2019
Dr. Dick Menzies returned as Director of RECRU. During this period, RECRU continued to strengthen its expertise in respiratory epidemiology, clinical research, clinical trials, tuberculosis, health economics, and global health. His return coincided with the move of the Montreal Chest Institute to the Glen site and the development of the RI-MUHC's Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases (RESP) Program. This new environment brought RECRU investigators into closer collaboration with fundamental, clinical, and outcomes researchers and provided access to the new infrastructure and research platforms of the Centre for Innovative Medicine (CIM) and Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE).
2019-2025
Under the leadership of Dr. Sushmita Pamidi, RECRU continued to broaden its multidisciplinary research activities and strengthen its integration with the RI-MUHC's Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases (RESP) Program and Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE). This period also saw an expanding emphasis on patient-oriented research and clinical trials, including Dr. Pamidi's leadership in the development of the Accelerating Clinical Trials – Clinical Trial Unit (ACT-CTU) at the RI-MUHC.
2025–Present
Dr. Tania Janaudis-Ferreira became Director of RECRU in 2025. Today, RECRU brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines and continues to advance clinical, epidemiological, rehabilitation, health services, and outcomes research while aligning with the RI-MUHC's 2030 Vision, with its emphasis on patient-oriented research, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and precision health.