- Awards and Distinctions
The Prix Planète are presented to INRS professors who have made outstanding contributions to the development and sharing of scientific knowledge.
Since 2015, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) has been presenting its Prix Planète to members of its community during its annual award ceremony.
Professor Roberto Morandotti, an expert in photonics and nonlinear optics, was presented with this year’s Prix Planète in recognition of his outstanding contribution to training and mentoring.
This award honours the remarkable contribution of a faculty member in developing a new generation of highly qualified professionals, especially through training, mentoring, and specialized coaching.
One-of-a-kind mentor
Since joining INRS, Roberto Morandotti has provided mentoring to roughly 195 students, postdoctoral trainees, research associates, interns, and guest scientists who have benefited from his teachings.
His world-class research program, ongoing renewal of research activities, and renowned reputation among the global scientific community attract the cream of the crop from all over the world. Several of his lab members have been awarded some of the most prestigious merit scholarships, from Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships and Marie-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships.
His pupils’ research and studies have frequently earned high distinctions, including Governor General’s Academic Medals, INRS Executive Chief Office’s Awards of Excellence, excellence awards from the Association des doyens des études supérieures au Québec, and Baran Young Scholar Awards from the Marconi Society.
Professor Morandotti’s holistic approach to mentoring, which promotes creativity, critical thinking, and the development of cross-curricular competencies, has resulted in several of his collaborators landing in prominent positions.
His former students include several major chairholders for programs like the Canada Research Chairs Program, the United Kingdom’s Ernest Rutherford Fellowships program, and the European Research Council. Furthermore, a number of entrepreneurs from his lab have launched several companies such as Ki3 Photonics, which was founded in 2015 and has established itself as a market leader in its niche.
“Being a good mentor is all about inspiring people to always do better, cooperate with others, and be ambitious and patient. For us teachers, the most important part of our job is educating young people.”
Roberto Morandotti, Professor at INRS
In 2018, Professor Morandotti was recognized as an Outstanding Mentor by his peers from the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies, in honour of his contribution to the education of the next generation of highly qualified scientists who are ready to take on the challenges of the Quebec society of tomorrow.
