Did you know? Some 15 INRS alumni are pursuing careers in New England, building on the strengths of their scientific training here and raising the profile of our community beyond Quebec. On December 5, 2024, the Foundation organized its first-ever gathering of INRS alumni and friends outside Quebec, in Boston. Held at the Délégation du Québec in Boston, thanks to the warm welcome of Mr. René Sylvestre, Délégué du Québec, the event brought together some fifteen graduates and friends to talk about their careers, their projects and the latest news from INRS.

Attended by Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Director General of INRS, and Élise Comtois, Director General of the INRS Foundation, this convivial evening marked an important step in INRS's commitment to its international community of graduates.

The event complemented visits to the research and development facilities of two graduates of INRS's Centre Énergie Matériaux télécommunications, winners of Lumières awards. Christian Reimer, winner of the 2020 Étincelle Award, is head of product development at Harvard-incubated start-up HyperLight, backed to the tune of $37 million by venture capital firm The Engine. His work has led to the launch of four products for data centers and telecom operators. Dennis G. Whyte, winner of the 2023 Éclat Award, continues his pioneering work at the Center for Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion, and Hitachi America Professor of Engineering in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He and his team are confident of succeeding in generating electricity from plasma in the next few years, an innovation that promises to revolutionize the energy industry, and whose scientific foundations go back to INRS in the 1980s and 1990s.

“These first events outside Quebec demonstrate our desire to maintain a strong link with our graduates, wherever they may be in the world,” emphasized Ms. Comtois. The presence of an active network in various spheres of innovation in New England reflects the quality of INRS's training and research, as well as the exceptional opportunities that our degrees provide.”

These moments of exchange highlighted the achievements of INRS graduates in the region, while strengthening the bonds of a community united by a common desire: to change the world through research.

The Foundation warmly thanks all the participants for their presence and their commitment to promoting INRS far beyond our borders. The support and hospitality of the team at the Quebec Delegation in Boston also made a big difference to the success of our meetings.

Would you like to organize a graduate event in your area with INRS alumni? Let us know! And don't hesitate to let us know what you've been up to. Your careers are a source of pride - together, let's continue to build a strong and inspiring community!