As part of its 5th anniversary, the INRS Foundation this year launched the Ambassador Award, a distinction designed to recognize INRS staff members who, through their commitment, actively support our mission. Whether through their participation in our events, their role as ambassadors to their community, or their contribution to a culture of generosity and solidarity, these people play a key role in the influence of INRS.
The awards ceremony took place on June 12, 2025, in Quebec City, during the INRS Recognition Day, an event bringing together all the Institute's teams.
The winners were chosen by a vote of all INRS staff, following a nomination process coordinated by the Foundation, at the end of which 16 ambassadors were named: Kokou Adjallé, Philippe-Edwin Bélanger, Laurent Chatel-Chaix, Karem Chokmani, Marc-André Gauthier, Sébastien Houle, Cathy Lachance, Maria Eugenia Longo, Michelle Marcotte, Arnaldo Nakamura, Louis-César Pasquier, Angela Pearson, Jonathan Perreault, Julie Robert, Nathalie Robert and Héloïse Roy.
The 2025 winners of the INRS Foundation Ambassador Award are :
Kokou Adjallé, Associate Professor at the Centre Eau Terre Environnement
"INRS has played a big role in my career, first as a student with a scholarship, and currently as a professor at INRS. I think it's my turn to give back to INRS. In addition to my work as a professor, giving to the INRS Foundation is another effective way of contributing to enable it to give scholarships and prizes to students. I would also like to congratulate the Foundation on its excellent work, and thank it for financially supporting one of my projects."
Phillipe-Edwin Bélanger, Director of the Graduate Studies and Student Success Department
"I support the INRS Foundation because it plays an essential role in the development of our institution and in supporting our students. Through its initiatives, it fosters excellence in teaching and research, innovation and accessibility to graduate studies, thereby strengthening our ability to train the next generation of scientists and respond to society's major challenges. Supporting our Foundation means supporting our institution and contributing to its success.
Cathy Lachance, Acting Director of Finance
"I support the INRS Foundation because it plays an essential role within INRS in promoting scientific research and innovation. I'm proud to support it because it highlights the success of our students and promotes them. By supporting them in administrative management, I feel I'm encouraging them and helping them to make progress. It's my way of giving back and encouraging the INRS Foundation."
Louis-César Pasquier, Director of the Centre Eau Terre Environnement
"When I was a student at INRS, my immigration status did not allow me to apply for external bursary programs, which were reserved for Canadians and permanent residents. The Foundation, by offering internal scholarships, makes it possible to offer more support opportunities to our students. For me, the most important thing is to support and celebrate the success of our students.
Héloïse Roy, Head of academic affairs at the Centre Urbanisation Culture Société
"Thanks to the Foundation, students with atypical or international backgrounds, who are often excluded from major scholarship competitions, can continue their education despite financial obstacles. Providing an accessible education means giving everyone a chance to succeed, and the Foundation plays a key role in supporting those who need it most."
The INRS Foundation warmly thanks all those appointed as ambassadors for their sustained commitment, and congratulates the award winners on their exemplary outreach. Thanks to them, the culture of generosity, solidarity and commitment continues to grow within the INRS community.