- Academic Life
A ceremony filled with pride to celebrate the journey, commitment, and accomplishments of the INRS student community.
The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) celebrated the success of its 2025–2026 graduating class at the commencement ceremony held on May 23 at the Palais Montcalm in Québec City. Bringing together professors, graduates, family members, staff, partners, and dignitaries, this ceremony highlighted the exceptional journeys of those who will help shape society through research and innovation.
In a warm and inclusive atmosphere, the event celebrated the excellence, perseverance, and commitment of a new generation of scientists poised to play a key role in addressing major contemporary challenges, both in Quebec and internationally.
“As you leave the INRS, you take with you much more than a diploma: you carry a vision, expertise, and a responsibility toward society. Whether in the laboratory, in the field, within organizations, or in communities, your contribution will matter. INRS is proud to have accompanied you on this journey.” – Luc‑Alain Giraldeau, Executive Director of INRS
Exemplary journeys that inspire the next generation of today and tomorrow
In addition to these master’s and doctoral degrees, the INRS also recognized the exceptional careers of two individuals who have dedicated their lives to sharing science and personal experiences to advance our society, by awarding two honorary doctorates honoris causa: one to Richard Ejinagosi Kistabish, and one to Sophie Malavoy.
As head of the Indigenous Hope Foundation, Mr. Kistabish played a key role in collecting 800 testimonies from survivors of residential schools, which informed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. He continues his commitment to promoting Indigenous languages, notably through the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. ;
A chemical engineer by training, Sophie Malavoy has dedicated her career to making science accessible. An author, professor, filmmaker, and journalist, she directed UQAM’s Cœur des sciences for 16 years, contributing to over 1,000 science outreach activities. Recognized internationally, she is notably a Knight of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor and a recipient of the Thérèse-Patry Award.
For the first time since 2022, the INRS also awarded the title of Professor Emeritus to Jean-Pol Dodelet, in recognition of his 34-year career at the Energy, Materials, and Telecommunications Center. Holder of an industrial research chair—a first at INRS—he is also a fellow of the AAAS and has more than 260 publications to his credit, making him one of the institution’s most cited researchers.
Notable Attendees and Speeches
The event was hosted by Mr Michel Fortin, Secretary General of INRS and head of ethics and integrity management, and Ms. Isabelle Delisle, Scientific Director of INRS, in the presence of Mr. Vincent Rousson, Rector of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), who, alongside the Executive Director of INRS, Mr. Giraldeau, presented the honorary doctorate to Mr. Kistabish.
Mr. Alexandre Cloutier, President of the Université du Québec, made a point of highlighting the conferral of the two honorary doctorates and addressed the new graduates via a pre-recorded video message.
Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence and the Governor General’s Gold Academic Medal
Following a doctoral program marked by remarkable rigor and productivity, Aïcha Sow, under the supervision of Professor Laurent Chatel-Chaix, has distinguished herself in virology and immunology. Her thesis makes major contributions to neurovirology and emerging viruses, notably through the development of an innovative animal model that allows for a better understanding of the neuropathogenesis of the Zika virus and the exploration of new antiviral avenues. Published in leading journals and presented internationally, her work demonstrates significant scientific impact. Her career is also distinguished by her leadership, autonomy, and commitment to the dissemination of knowledge.
Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence
Throughout her time at INRS, Sarah Fontier, under the supervision of Professor Carole Lévesque, has demonstrated committed and inspiring leadership. Deeply involved in the student community, she has actively contributed to the student association, mentoring, and the creation of committees that foster dialogue and a sense of belonging. She has also distinguished herself through her participation in major scientific projects and events, helping to promote her work, particularly within DIALOG and the INRS-UQAT Joint Research Unit in Indigenous Studies. Her project, conducted in collaboration with an Indigenous Friendship Centre, ultimately demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering concrete and transferable outcomes.
A Proud New Generation of Researchers
Scientific Division’s honour roll: Arash Aghigh, Sarika Beauchemin, Eve Bernet, Josianne Bienvenue-Pariseault, Mathilde Bourque, Antoine Chapon, Hermine Counil, Benjamin Crockett, Nils Dietrich, Oscar Gamboa Marin, Ilias Hani, Maëli Houde, Antoine Imbeau, Behibro Ange Delon Konan, Mayank Kumar, Jumana Mahmud, Abdelkader Mellouk, Noureddine Melouki, Hassan Naseri Gheisanab, Sebastian Obernberger, Eva Paquin-Lefebvre, Marc Daniel Paulik, Peyman Pour Mohammadi, Abdellah Rafik, Aïssatou Aïcha Sow, Nihed Tellili, Thi Thanh Quyn Tran, Wenqiang Xiang
International Outreach Award: Aïssatou Aïcha Sow, Martial Leroy, Peyman Pour Mohammadi, Celia Benhocine
Innovation Award: Vincent Arseneault, Yachar Ben Arous, Ismail Elhamdaoui, Aimé-Jean Yurdusev
Student Leadership Award: Josianne Bienvenue-Pariseault, Marie-Ève Blanchette, Uriel Bruno Mota, Sarah Fontier
INRS Foundation Best Master’s Thesis Award: Hatim Ben Said, Amira Becheikh, Kelly Vu
INRS Foundation Best Doctoral Dissertation Award: Aïssatou Aïcha Sow, Ilias Hani, Benjamin Crockett, Flandrine Lusson
INRS Foundation Lumières Awards
The INRS Foundation presented the Lumières Awards to graduates whose career paths exemplify the excellence and influence of the INRS community over the years. Ms. Élise Comtois, Executive Director of the Foundation, paid tribute to them by highlighting the richness of their contributions.
The Starburst Award was presented to Mary-Ann Bell, an engineer and corporate director who earned a master’s degree in telecommunications (1987).
The Trailblazer Award was presented to Steve Bourgault, an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology at CHUL (Laval University) and a full professor in the Department of Chemistry at UQAM. A graduate with a master’s degree (2002) and a Ph.D. (2004) in experimental health sciences, he is pursuing an active academic and scientific career.
Finally, the Firestarter Award was presented to Carole-Anne Gillis, research director at the Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding and a 2017 Ph.D. graduate in water sciences, in recognition of her dedicated career and her contributions to research.
Congratulations to everyone!