In June 2025, the INRS Foundation announced the creation of the Mario-Bergeron Scholarship in honor of this professor who made a significant contribution to mineral and environmental chemistry research at INRS for over 25 years. We presented the scholarship on September 3 during a ceremony at the Centre Eau Terre Environnement in the presence of the director, Professor Louis-César Pasquier, Ms. Louise Léveillée, former colleagues of Professor Mario Bergeron, and many members of the INRS community. We warmly congratulate Niloufar Nikravesh, the first recipient of this scholarship.
Niloufar Nikravesh, Ph.D. student in Earth Sciences, under the supervision of Professor Louis-César Pasquier
- What brought you to INRS? What stands out in your mind about your experience?
I was attracted to INRS because of its strong commitment to applied and environmental research, particularly within the Water, Earth and Environment Center. The Earth Sciences program perfectly matches my personal concerns for the environment. I wanted to participate in projects that not only advance scientific knowledge, but also have a concrete and positive impact on sustainable development. The project I applied for particularly interested me because it addresses a threefold challenge: transforming hazardous mining waste into a valuable product, using a low-carbon process, and contributing to the reduction of environmental risks. What I appreciate most about my experience so far is the welcoming research community, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues with diverse expertise in geosciences, chemistry, and environmental sciences. - Can you describe the challenge and impact of your research project?
The challenge of my project is to determine the optimal operating conditions for calcining magnesium carbonates produced from serpentine carbonation. This step is crucial because it determines how efficiently we can obtain magnesium oxide, a valuable industrial material. At the same time, conventional calcination generally releases a lot of CO₂. My work aims to better understand the kinetics of the reaction, identify the best operating conditions, and explore ways to simplify CO₂ capture from the emitted gases. The overall impact is that this research contributes to a more sustainable process, in which CO₂ can be reused in a closed loop, reducing emissions while creating value from mining residues. - What does winning this scholarship mean to you?
Receiving the Mario-Bergeron Scholarship is both an honor and a source of motivation. It recognizes the importance of my research and gives me the confidence to continue. Beyond the financial support, it is above all an encouragement, showing that my work is appreciated and that it can contribute to developing more sustainable solutions. - How do you see things progressing from here?
In the short term, I plan to continue developing my research in the field of sustainable mineral processes. In the longer term, I hope to draw on my experience to work on projects aimed at making industrial processes cleaner and more environmentally friendly. I want to use my skills to improve process designs, optimize efficiency, and find solutions to reduce emissions. My goal is to contribute to research and practical applications that combine technical innovation with concrete environmental benefits, transforming industrial challenges into sustainable solutions.
In the photo (from left to right): Louis-César Pasquier, Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Niloufar Nikravesh, Normand Bergeron, Louise Léveillée, Michel Malo, Carole Parent, and Élise Comtois.
The project submitted by our first winner fully embodies the spirit of the scholarship created on the initiative of the Center and Professor Bergeron's family.
The INRS Foundation would like to extend its warmest thanks to the members of the selection committee for their commitment and thoroughness in evaluating the applications: Professor Normand Bergeron, former research officer Alain Langlais, honorary professor Michel Malo, and former Partnership and Development Advisor Carole Parent.
By honoring the memory of Professor Bergeron and supporting young researchers such as Niloufar Nikravesh, the INRS community is pursuing an essential mission: training the next generation of scientists who will help build a more sustainable future.