The Foundation is highlighting three outstanding alumni, winners of the Lumières 2025 Awards, whose nominations were submitted by members of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) community.

Presented on May 10 at the INRS convocation ceremony, these awards highlight the inspiring careers of graduates who stand out for their achievements, commitment and contribution to society. Our Lumières 2025 highlight the impact of science on our society, and testify to the excellence of the research and training carried out at INRS.

STARBURST AWARD

“I'm pushing the boundaries of my field, both scientifically and socially, to show other women that, even though it takes a lot of hard work, it's possible to forge your own path, even in typically male environments. Receiving an award like the Starburst Award is a wonderful recognition of the hard work and achievements I've made so far, and I'm really grateful. I'm truly grateful.

The Starburst Award celebrates an exceptional commitment to the growth of INRS and a graduate's contribution to the economic, social or cultural development of Quebec.

We are proud to present the Starburst Award to Valérie Ouellet, a graduate with a master's and doctorate in water sciences, for her inspiring career in environmental research in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Attracted by applied research in an interdisciplinary environment, she found INRS a fertile ground for her intellectual and personal development. Supported by committed professors, she has also become involved in student life, helping to set up international internships and group insurance.

Now Vice-President Research and Environment at the Atlantic Salmon Federation, she leads a scientific team dedicated to the conservation of this emblematic species. She has previously worked at NOAA (the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the University of Birmingham in the U.K. and the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania.

Convinced that research must serve the common good, she acts with conviction in the face of environmental challenges that threaten future generations. The Starburst Award recognizes her outstanding contribution to water science and her commitment to building a more sustainable future.

DISCOVER VALÉRIE

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

“I am grateful to INRS for this award. Not only did I acquire a solid foundation there throughout my time as a master's and doctoral student, but I have applied and consolidated this knowledge throughout my professional career. As a professor and researcher, I try to pass on my passion for science and my sense of rigorous work to those close to me, my collaborators, my colleagues and my students, and this Trailblazer Award is a wonderful recognition of my work and commitment over the last few years.”

The Trailblazer Award recognizes the exceptional career of an alumni, as well as his or her commitment to the community, in Quebec and elsewhere.

We are proud to present the Trailblazer Award to Martin Pelletier, a graduate of INRS's MSc in Experimental Health Sciences (2001) and PhD in Virology and Immunology (2006) programs.

His research career began with a recruitment poster from Professor Denis Girard, whose human and scientific approach had a profound impact on him. His work on neutrophils, key cells of the immune system, earned him seventeen scientific publications and two Governor General's Academic Gold Medals.

After postdoctoral training in Italy and at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) in the USA, he became a research professor at Université Laval. His laboratory, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), explores cellular metabolism in immune and autoimmune contexts. Director of graduate programs in microbiology-immunology, he passes on his rigor and benevolence to the next generation of scientists.

This Trailblazer Award salutes a passionate researcher who is working to advance personalized medicine, rooted in the human condition.

DISCOVER MARTIN

FIRESTARTER AWARD

“I am honored to receive this award, which reminds me of the great people I worked with at INRS. The Institute is an excellent environment for entrepreneurship, and I am fortunate to be joined by many INRS colleagues in my company (Ki3 Photonics Technologies) today.”

Our Firestarter Award recognizes a promising career start and an alumni who is an inspiration to our student community.

The Foundation is proud to present the Firestarter Award to Piotr Roztocki, 2022 graduate of the PhD in Energy and Materials Sciences, for his promising career at the intersection of integrated photonics and quantum sciences.

Seduced on his first visit to INRS by the quality of the facilities and the scientific effervescence, he found a stimulating environment conducive to innovation and teamwork. It was here that he co-founded Ki3 Photonics, a start-up developing technologies for next-generation quantum networks.

Now the company's Technical Director, Piotr continues to work closely with INRS. He uses his scientific expertise and solid project management experience, acquired during his studies, to advance applied research in quantum photonics.

The Firestarter Award recognizes the boldness and creativity of this young researcher-entrepreneur, who combines scientific rigor with technological vision.

DISCOVER PIOTR

Congratulations to our three winners! Their achievements and commitment are the pride of the entire INRS community.

Congratulations also to all the alumni nominated, and thank you to the members of the INRS community who submitted their nominations, as well as to our jury composed of : Élise Comtois, Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Caroline Martel, Éloise Richard-Choquette and Martine Vanasse.

ABOUT THE LUMIÈRES AWARDS