Ximena Zottig first winner of the Michèle-Auger Prize

Michèle-Auger Prize

PhD student in biochemistry Ximena Zottig is the first winner of the Michèle-Auger Prize. Accompanied by a $ 5,000 scholarship, this newly created distinction rewards a graduate student pursuing research activities in protein sciences within the PROTEO network – the Quebec research group on function, engineering and applications. proteins – and demonstrating exceptional commitment to the scientific community and society.

Founded in 1999 and supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT), PROTEO brings together more than 350 researchers from 49 teams in 12 Quebec institutions.

Originally from Argentina, Ximena Zottig grew up in Trois-Rivières. She did her bachelor’s and master’s studies at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR). His doctoral research, carried out under the supervision of Professor of the Department of Chemistry Steve Bourgault, member of NanoQAM and the co-supervision of Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences Denis Archambault, focuses on the design of nanovaccines based on self-contained proteins. assembly.

Since graduating high school, Ximena Zottig has been an inspiring role model for her peers, involved in various causes and committees. In recent years, she has worked on the UQAM working group on reconciliation with indigenous peoples and she participated in the organization of the Women’s Day in Science.

“I am very honored to receive this award in memory of Professor Michèle Auger,” said the winner. It is thanks to models like her that many young women, like me, feel at home in research, particularly in biophysics, a discipline in which there are few women. ”

“As I reread the award selection criteria, I couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate than Ximena Zottig. In addition to being involved in the community, she has enormous research potential, “says Steve Bourgault.

“With the Michèle-Auger Prize, we want to recognize and encourage brilliant and committed young women who are inspiring models for the entire scientific community in Quebec. Ximena Zottig has a remarkable career on all fronts, ”said Université Laval professor Normand Voyer, who heads the PROTEO network.

Model for generations of scientists

Originally from Grand-Mère, Michèle Auger studied biophysics at UQTR. She did doctoral studies at the University of Ottawa before doing postdoctoral studies at MIT. She then had an exceptional academic and research career in molecular biophysics at the Department of Chemistry at Laval University before being taken away too young by the disease in October 2018. She has been a model for generations of scientists, in particular women. His involvement in the scientific community was notorious and inspiring.

Source: Actualités UQAM