.png)
The INRS Foundation is proud to announce the new winner of the Andrea-Rovere Scholarship: Natalie Herkendaal. This scholarship recognizes the community involvement and quality of the research work of a doctoral student at the Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications.
Discover the new winner :
Natalie Herkendaal, PhD student in energy and materials sciences under the supervision of Professor Lionel Roue
- Can you describe the challenge and impact of your doctoral research project?
The electrification of transport is a major challenge for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. My thesis work focuses on next-generation materials for lithium-ion batteries, the preferred technology in today's electric vehicles.
I'm replacing a portion of the graphite normally found in the anode with a material with a specific capacity almost ten times higher, silicon. The use of high-capacity materials would make it possible to reduce the mass of the battery pack powering electric vehicles, while increasing the total charge stored.
This translates into increased range for electric vehicles and less frequent recharging for users. By addressing these critical issues cited by consumers, we hope to promote the use of electric vehicles, especially coupled with hydroelectricity generated here in Quebec, to advance a more environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil-fuel vehicles. -
Since you were awarded the Foundation Board Scholarship in 2023, what have been the most significant milestones or developments in your academic career?
I received the Foundation's Board grant during my master's program at INRS. Since then, I've been able to fast-track my PhD to explore in greater depth this issue that's close to my heart. I'm now pursuing a research project in collaboration with the Institut des matériaux de Nantes and Arkema, a multinational industry that produces, among other things, polymers suitable for silicon anodes. I'm proud to be able to contribute to the strengthening of the Canada-France collaboration and to the international influence of INRS. - What does winning the Andrea-Rovere Scholarship mean to you?
For me, this distinction means that my efforts to improve the student experience at INRS through my involvement in the student federation have been recognized by the professors and administration. I hope my fellow students have benefited too! It gives me great pleasure to know that I am leaving a positive mark on my university community worthy of the name Andrea Rovere. - What are your plans and ambitions for the medium and long term?
In the next two years, I hope to complete my doctoral studies at INRS. After that, I'd like to pursue my research into energy storage or renewable energy generation. Global energy demand is growing all the time, and I want to do my bit to ensure that we move towards a more sustainable future.
About the Andrea-Rovere Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship was created in memory of the brilliant INRS graduate and generous postdoctoral researcher of Italian origin, Andrea Rovere. It recognizes the community involvement and quality of research work of a doctoral student at the Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications.
Announced in the fall of 2022 at the initiative of members of the INRS community, this is one of the first new sources of support for the INRS student community deployed by the Foundation as part of its customized scholarship program.
The competition opened in March and closed on April 11, 2025. Our warmest thanks go to the Service des études supérieures et de la réussite étudiante (SESRE) for its assistance, and to the members of the selection committee for their essential contribution.
ABOUT THE ANDREA-ROVERE SCHOLARSHIP