The grand finale of the provincial outreach and science communication competition, Science POP, came to a close on November 22 at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM).
This event received financial support from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie, through the NovaScience program, and from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), as well as the IRCM Foundation.
Before a delighted audience, finalists of 12 institutions from all across Quebec gathered and competed in three high-level challenges, at the end of which nine prizes were awarded to the winners of the three challenges.
“The students, with their eloquence and dynamism, succeed admirably in sharing scientific knowledge. In a world that's constantly reinventing itself, it's vital that up-and-coming scientists develop and showcase their scientific communication skills, and there's no doubt that Science POP is a golden opportunity to do just that. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the IRCM team who, with the invaluable support of my colleagues Manon and Michaël, made the second edition of Science POP a real success.’’- Carole Jabet, Vice-President Research, Scientific Division, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Health Sector
"How satisfying to see how much the art of communicating science in clear and intelligible terms is alive. Ultimately, when access to scientific information is facilitated, as was the case during this second edition of Science POP, it is society as a whole that wins." - Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director of the IRCM
“The IRCM Foundation is proud to have been able to provide financial support for the 2024 edition of the Science POP competition. This initiative plays a key role in training a new generation of passionate and skilled science communicators, capable of raising awareness and inspiring the public. In a world where science plays an essential role in informed decision-making, it is vital that tomorrow's researchers learn to share their discoveries in a clear and accessible way.” –Marie-Bénédicte Pretty, Director of the IRCM Foundation
“Quebec is committed to its next generation of scientists, and this competition is a fine example of this. By supporting these young talents, we give them the tools to excel in science and popularization. By investing in initiatives like this one, we are paving the way for our future: an innovative Quebec, capable of spreading its ideas and discoveries. Congratulations to all the winners!’’- Christopher Skeete, ministre délégué à l’Économie
What is Science POP?
A pan-Quebec science communication initiative proposed by the IRCM and propelled by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the NovaScience program from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie, with the support of the IRCM Foundation, to promote science-society dialogue, Science POP has the avowed aim of working to awaken scientific curiosity within Quebec society, and to stimulate skills in knowledge transfer.
The winners
Outreach Challenge
- First-place winner - Chief Scientist Award : Gabriel Blanco Gomez, doctorant en neurosciences - Institut de recherche du Centre universitaire de santé McGill (IR-CUSM)
- Unlocking Autism: Finding the Brain's Hidden Keyboard
- Second-place winner - Jacques-Genest Award : Alexis Perreault, doctorant en immunologie - Institut de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université de Sherbrooke (IRCUS)
- Craquer des œufs : une recette gagnante contre le cancer?
- Winner of the People’s Choice : Alexis Perreault, doctorant en immunologie - Institut de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université de Sherbrooke (IRCUS)
- Craquer des œufs : une recette gagnante contre le cancer?
Media Challenge
- First-place winner - Chief Scientist Award : Hannah Derue, doctorante en neurosciences - Centre de recherche en biologie structurale (CRBS)
- Pain and Pleasure: Studying the Intersection of Chronic Pain and Opioids
- Second-place winner - Jacques-Genest Award : Jana Totzek, doctorante en santé mentale - Centre de recherche Douglas
- The I in Schizophrenia: Technology, the Brain & Personalized Care
- Winner of the People’s Choice : Perrine Coquelet, doctorante en neurosciences - Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM)
- Le secret du succès de votre chirurgie du dos est dans votre sang
Sustainable Health Challenge
- First-place winner - Chief Scientist Award : Aurélien Ramos, étudiant à la maitrise en sciences de la réadaptation - Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (Cirris)
- Changer de Réalité : une nouvelle vision de l'activité physique
- Second-place winner - Jacques-Genest Award : Myriam Lacoursière, étudiante à la maitrise en sciences de l'activité physique - Regroupement intersectoriel de recherche en santé de l'Université du Québec (RISUQ)
- Mouvement et intuition : un duo durable
- Winner of the People’s Choice : Aurélien Ramos, étudiant à la maitrise en sciences de la réadaptation - Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (Cirris)
- Changer de réalité : une nouvelle vision de l'activité physique
- Changer de réalité : une nouvelle vision de l'activité physique
