- Academic Life
A celebration of the academic achievements and successful careers of the INRS community, in the presence of two Nobel laureates.
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) celebrated the success of 161 graduates from the class of 2024–2025 at its graduation ceremony, held on May 10 at Palais Montcalm in Québec City. This milestone event brought together families, friends, members of the academic community, and dignitaries to honour the remarkable achievements of the next generation of scientists.
The graduation ceremony took place in a friendly and particularly inspiring atmosphere, proudly celebrating the training of a new generation of researchers essential to the economic, cultural, and social development of our society.
“Our mission at INRS is to train scientists who can help solve the major challenges facing our society. This degree is a testament to your success and your distinctiveness among all other graduates of traditional universities. It is precious—be proud of it. ”
Luc-Alain Giraldeau, INRS Chief Executive Director
This cohort brings the total number of INRS graduates who are changing the world through research to over 4,100.
Inspiring role models for an entire generation
In addition to the master’s and doctoral degrees awarded, INRS also presented two honorary doctorates: one to Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and one to Lorne Trottier, a Montréal philanthropist and entrepreneur.
Donna Strickland, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics and recipient of an honorary doctorate from INRS in 2019, joined Dr. Giraldeau to honour Professor Charpentier.
Dr. Charpentier, who gave a lecture on her groundbreaking work on CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology that morning, was held up as an example of scientific success that transcends disciplines, as well as a source of inspiration and a model of success for women in science across the French-speaking world. This is the first honorary doctorate that the researcher has received from a French-language university in Canada.
As a distinguished scientist, prominent businessman, and committed philanthropist, Mr. Trottier is the embodiment of progress in science, technology, and education for the benefit of society. He received this honour for his lifetime achievement and for being a visionary with a passion for science. He is a model of success and positive leadership focused on the challenges of our future.
Impressive attendance and testimonials
The event, cohosted by Philippe-Edwin Bélanger, Director of Graduate Studies and Student Success at INRS, was attended by Université du Québec President Alexandre Cloutier, INRS Scientific Director Isabelle Delisle and INRS Foundation Executive Director Élise Comtois, among others. Mr. Christian Raimer, INRS graduate (2018), co-founder and product manager of HyperLight Corporation, based in Boston, USA, came to share an inspiring story with the student community.
Pascale Dery, Minister of Higher Education of Québec, also addressed the new graduates via a pre-recorded video message. The cohort also received a letter of encouragement from Bruno Marchand, the mayor of Québec City.
Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence and the Governor General’s Gold Academic Medal
Sophia Ferchiou was this year’s recipient of the Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence at the doctoral level and the Governor General’s Gold Academic Medal.
This medal is awarded to the graduate who has the best academic record at the end of their program of study and who has made a significant contribution to the life of their centre.
Sophia Ferchiou completed her PhD in biology at the Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre (AFSB) under the supervision of Professor Yves St-Pierre, co-supervising with Professor Stéphane Betoulle of the University of Reims.
In close collaboration with Parks Canada and Sépaq, she combined several biological analysis techniques to better understand the effects of pollution and environmental change on marine ecosystems.
During her PhD, she took part in international scientific missions. She was also actively involved in student life, notably as a representative on the INRS Sustainable Development Committee and as a mentor in the Apprentis chercheurs program. This path led to a number of award-winning scientific publications.
Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence
Camille Biron-Boileau was awarded the Executive Chief Office’s Award of Excellence at the master’s level.
During her master’s studies at the Centre Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre, under the supervision of Professor Maude Pugliese, Camille distinguished herself through her commitment to research and the academic world.
In addition to her master’s project, she worked on two other research projects, culminating in the publication of scientific papers. She also presented her work at scientific conferences in Canada and abroad.
Her career has also been marked by several awards and recognitions in Québec and Canada.
Camille is now pursuing her PhD in sociology at the University of Chicago, where she is a recipient of the Neubauer Family Foundation Doctoral Fellowship, a scholarship designed to recruit top researchers from around the world.
A proud new generation of researchers
Scientific Division’s honour roll: Thibault Bourdin, Marianne Blanchette, Alexandre Borduas, Jennie Charbonneau, Dominik Dettmann, Jehan Esheh, Sophia Ferchiou, Elissa Haddad, Scott Leslie, James Hepditch, Océane Hourtané, Mohammad Irfan, Jose Carlos Madrid, Seyedeh Zahra Mousavirazi, Alice Sergerie, Sharada Swaminathan, Manon Trépanier, Philipp Wieland
International Outreach Award: Tanja Stögerer, Margherita Martini, Dominik Dettmann, Georgina Morris
Innovation Award: Liseth Johana Carmona Perez, Salmata Diallo, Elissa Haddad, Elisa Beatriz, Ramírez Hernández
Student Leadership Award: Léna Angelo, Océane Hourtané, Celine Mazoukh, Oussama Trabelsi
INRS Foundation Best Master’s Thesis Award: Cameron Confuorti, Liam Maw, Afsaneh Shoeib, Camille Biron-Boileau
INRS Foundation Best Doctoral Dissertation Award: Sophia Ferchiou, Océane Hourtané, Xinyi Zhu, Wiem Bargaoui
INRS Foundation Lumières Awards
The INRS Foundation presented the Lumières Awards to graduates who had particularly distinguished themselves over the years. Foundation CEO Élise Comtois paid tribute to them.
The Starburst Award was presented to Valérie Ouellet, Vice President of Research and Environment at the Atlantic Salmon Federation, where she leads a scientific team dedicated to the conservation of this iconic species. Valérie Ouellet, who holds a master’s and PhD in water sciences, received this award for her inspiring career in environmental research in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Martin Pelletier was presented the Trailblazer Award for his exceptional career as a graduate, as well as his involvement in the community, in Québec and elsewhere.
With a master’s degree in experimental health sciences (2001) and a doctorate in virology and immunology (2006), he is a research professor at CRCHU de Québec-Université Laval and director of graduate programs in microbiology-immunology. This award honours a passionate researcher who is working to advance personalized, human-rooted medicine.
Piotr Roztocki was presented the Firestarter Award in recognition of his promising early career at the intersection of integrated photonics and quantum science.
A PhD graduate in energy and materials science (2022) and co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Ki3 Photonics Technologies Inc., he is an inspiration to our student community.
Today, Piotr is the company’s technical director and continues to work closely with INRS. This Firestarter Award recognizes the boldness and creativity of this young researcher-entrepreneur, who combines scientific rigour with technological vision.
Congratulations to you all!
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