Valérie Ouellet
Master's degree (2006) and doctorate (2013) in water sciences
Vice-President, Research and Environment, Atlantic Salmon Federation

“The multidisciplinary aspect, the hands-on experiences and the support to publish our results early in my career helped me to be more competitive for grants and positions.”

Doing applied research in a creative, interdisciplinary environment: that's what Valérie Ouellet was looking for when she began her graduate studies, and that's exactly what she found at INRS. With a master's degree and a doctorate in water sciences, she has vivid memories of her time at the Institute. "INRS offered me a dynamic environment and support, both financial and scientific. I was able to go and talk to different professors to delve deeper into subjects and gain a better understanding of certain issues."

Her thirst for learning has taken her far beyond the classroom. In particular, she was involved in the development of an international internship program for students and the introduction of group insurance, two student initiatives supported by the school. But it is above all the human and intellectual bonds forged along the way that continue to nourish her. "When we moved downtown, we really created a small community. I'm still in touch with several people who have become friends."

Two lessons learned from her research supervisors are still with her today. The first, from Michel Leclerc, has left its mark on her: "If the box isn't big enough for what you want to do, push it to the limit. Redesign it your way." The second, more pragmatic, was offered by André St-Hilaire: "Choose your battles. If you want to push the limits too much, you wear yourself out. André taught me to channel my efforts and be strategic in order to achieve my goals."

Following her studies, Valérie embarked on an impressive international career. Her first postdoctoral internship was at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, followed by another at the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, a research center co-founded by Ruth Patrick, a pioneer in aquatic ecology. She then continued her research at the University of Birmingham, England, where she focused on microplastics, urban impacts on rivers and adaptation to climate change. Returning to North America, she worked for several years at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), before recently joining the Atlantic Salmon Federation as Vice-President Research and Environment. There, she leads a scientific team and implements an ambitious research plan to support Atlantic salmon conservation.

She credits INRS for a large part of her career path: “The multidisciplinary aspect, the hands-on experience and the support to publish our results early in my career helped me to be more competitive for grants and positions.” And she urges current students to capitalize on their network: “By pooling our ideas and resources together, we get further, faster, and can test some really original ideas.”

Today, her concerns are both scientific and profoundly human. "I have two little boys who are the most beautiful gift life has given me, and their future worries me. [...] I can't wait any longer. I hope to see more and more concrete, well-funded global strategies to tackle the environmental crisis and biodiversity loss." For Valérie Ouellet, research only makes sense if it is put at the service of a better future.

[Interviewed in april 2025.]