Professors Jean-Claude Kieffer and François Legaré from INRS's Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications were honoured at the Royal Society of Canada's (RSC) Induction and Awards Ceremony, held at the Isabel Bader Centre in Kingston on November 18, 2016. They have been elected by their peers in recognition of their accomplishments.
"This peer recognition is a real sign of appreciation of the quality of an academic researcher's work. We are delighted about the well-deserved recognition that professors Kieffer and Légaré have received and we are honoured to have these two brilliant researchers, who help advance laser science and raise INRS's profile," said Yves Bégin, Vice Rector of Research and Academic Affairs.
Elected to the Academy of Science
Professor Kieffer was inducted into the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Division of the Royal society of Canada in recognition of his academic and scientific accomplishments. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an academic working in the field of arts, humanities, and sciences. Kieffer is regarded as a leader in Canada and is internationally known in the field of science and ultra rapid laser technology. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated visionary leadership, as evidenced by the creation of the Femtosecond Science Laboratory (ALLS). He has made impressive contributions in the fields of plasma physics, the generation of new X-Ray sources for the health sciences, material, chemical, and organic imaging, and early cancer detection. He is also holds the Canada Research Chair in Ultra Rapid Photonics.
Rutherford Memorial Medal in Physics
Professor Légaré was awarded the 2016 Rutherford Memorial Medal in Physics by the RSC for his outstanding research in physics. He is the first researcher from INRS to receive this award. He has gained a reputation that extends well beyond our borders for ultrafast molecular imaging, the development of high-power lasers, and tissue imaging with linear optical microscopy. Among his contributions, he has developed a new approach to laser amplification that is revolutionizing ultrashort pulse lasers and has led to the creation of a spin-off company. Professor Légaré is the recipient of the 2015 Herzberg medal and director of the Femtosecond Science Laboratory (ALLS).
Légaré was doubly honoured, as he also became a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. He is part of the 2016 cohort, comprised of 80 researchers and artists representing the emerging generation of scholarly, scientific, and artistic leaders in Canada.
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About the Royal Society of Canada
Founded in 1883 by the Canadian government, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) brings together the country's most eminent scientists, researchers, and scholars. Regarded as the National Academy of Canada, the RSC is made up of the Academy of the Arts and Humanities, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Academy of Science. Its mission is to promote research and scholarly achievements in Canada, recognize academic and artistic excellence, and advise governments, organizations, and all Canadians about matters of public interest.
About INRS
Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) is a graduate-level research and training university and ranks first in Canada for research intensity (average funding per professor). INRS brings together some 150 professors and close to 700 students and postdoctoral fellows at its four centres in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, and Varennes. Its basic research is essential to the advancement of science in Quebec and internationally, and its research teams play a key role in the development of concrete solutions to the problems faced by our society.