“This award proves that all my dedication, commitment, effort, and hard work paid off. It gives me the encouragement I need to pursue a career in research and shows how important this work will be as we grapple with new environmental challenges.”

Claudie’s PhD dissertation focuses on water quality issues in aquatic ecosystems. The research she and her colleagues conducted was instrumental in giving field workers a method for evaluating lake water quality in real time using satellite-based remote sensing. It led to the development of a unique statistical model for evaluating water restoration scenarios that take into account climate change or changes on the ground.

 

In his research, Dominic looked at ways to control the Colorado beetle, a pest that destroys potato crops. He developed a protocol and computer code for conducting fast and effective aerial monitoring using camera drones to identify infestation hotspots on farms to enable a more targeted response. This approach could cut insecticide use by 80%, resulting in cost savings and reduced risks to humans and the environment.

Dominic now works for Environment and Climate Change Canada where he uses his expertise in geomatics, modelling, and artificial intelligence to study ecohydrology.

 

“Academically, this award represents two things. First of all, it highlights the overall teamwork, that of Professor Alain Rousseau, whose team I joined during my doctoral years. I must say that I was very proud to get this award for the team and for Alain. It is the result of the great collective work carried out. Then of course, personally, I was very happy to receive this distinction. You know, like many students, I moved to Quebec to undertake my doctorate after several years as a professional. I learned a lot, questioned certain assumptions and confirmed others. Obtaining a prize at this academic level necessarily represents a lot and I welcomed it as a recognition of my own progress and as a very nice conclusion to my academic career.

On a professional level, this award has confirmed my desire to continue this applied research process. Indeed, the recognition of our work reflected, in my opinion, the need for direct links between research work and societal issues. Thus, in all the positions held since, I try to develop knowledge and methodologies which make it possible to answer as well as possible to the environmental challenges, in the broad sense, which our societies are confronted with.”

 

“The award for the best doctoral thesis was an opportunity to recognize all my efforts. It encouraged me to pursue my momentum and more particularly to undertake multidisciplinary postdoctoral research in the same vein as that which I carried out at INRS. It is motivating to see that our efforts are rewarded and that our work as a researcher is recognized. Thank you for setting up excellence awards programs that encourage students to surpass themselves, to continue to innovate and to work in science after graduation.

I believe that carrying out a doctoral thesis is a monk’s step, a long-term endeavour, and that each doctoral student brings in his or her own way answers to major current environmental issues. Behind every thesis, someone has helped advance scientific knowledge and build a better world. We can never thank them enough for their dedication and their time.”

 

“In 2016, I received the prize for the best master’s thesis from the Centre Eau Terre Environnement. Beyond a purely symbolic recognition, this prize concretely crowned the efforts made over the years and filled me with a sense of pride and self-confidence, which followed me throughout my doctoral studies.

There is no doubt that this significant addition to my profile will have helped me to be accepted in an excellent laboratory and to receive a grant from the Quebec Research Fund - Nature and Technology. As of this writing, I have just completed my Ph.D., still riding this wave of pride, confidence and accomplishment.”

“My master’s degree at INRS was achieved in the context of returning to school. This late intrusion into the field of scientific research turned out to be a real crush, having broadened my horizons as an engineer and readjusted my professional goals. My journey ended with obtaining the “best master’s thesis” award, followed by the publication of a scientific article. These recognitions have instilled in me professional and personal confidence. It is therefore without complex that I accompany my signature with an “M.Sc.” and that I dare tell my kids that their mom is a scientist.”

 

MEET OUR 2021 AWARD WINNERS