- Awards and Distinctions
Professor Vetrone awarded the 2021 Rutherford Memorial Medal in Chemistry
Fiorenzo Vetrone, professor at the INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre has been awarded the 2021 Rutherford Memorial Medal for his outstanding research in chemistry. Awarded by the Royal Society of Canada, this distinction is a recognition of his remarkable scientific contribution that has led to important breakthroughs in the fields of rare-earth doped nanomaterials. These elements such as thulium, erbium and ytterbium have unique luminescent properties.
“This is a great honour for me, but above all a recognition of many years of work with my team on rare-earth doped nanomaterials. This great distinction positions us as key players in this field of research in Canada.”
Professor Fiorenzo Vetrone
Outstanding research in chemistry
Fiorenzo Vetrone has made seminal contributions to the development of luminescent rare-earth doped nanomaterials. His work is internationally recognized and has led to pioneering breakthroughs in unravelling the photophysics of upconversion at the nanoscale. His achievements also include the development of new synthetic techniques to prepare colloidal, multi-architectured and hybrid nanostructured rare-earth nanomaterials as well as their application in luminescence nanothermometry, drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and bioimaging.
Excellence at the EMT Research Centre
Professor Vetrone is the third researcher at INRS to receive the Rutherford Memorial Medal. Professor Federico Rosei received it in 2011 for his research in chemistry and Professor François Légaré in 2016 for his research in physics.
The Rutherford Memorial Medals were established in 1980 by the RSC in memory of Lord Rutherford of Nelson, a great scientist and a leader in nuclear research. The medals are awarded for outstanding research during the formative stage of a career in any branch of physics and chemistry and in recognition of Lord Rutherford’s own research carried out in Canada at a relatively young age.
News release of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
