Three winners from The Institute — but science comes out on top

SOURCE: IRCM
April 22, 2026

Building on the success of its first two editions, the third provincial grand finale of the Science POP science communication and outreach competition concluded on April 18 at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), celebrating a new cohort of emerging talent.

This event, both engaging and educational, was supported financially by the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy through the NovaScience program, as well as the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the IRCM Foundation.

In front of an enthusiastic audience, finalists from nine Quebec research institutions competed in a series of high-level challenges. At the end of the event, nine prizes were awarded across three categories.

Science communication challenge

• 1st place – Chief Scientist Award: Océane Goncalves, PhD candidate in microbiology – Research Centre of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS)
  Breaking the fortress: how to defeat antibiotic resistance
• 2nd place – Jacques-Genest Award: Ivana Okaro, MSc student in neuroscience – The Institute (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre)
  The unfamiliar effect of a familiar drug: Viagra’s healing power
• Audience Award: Océane Goncalves, PhD candidate in microbiology – CRCHUS
  Breaking the fortress: how to defeat antibiotic resistance

Media challenge

• 1st place – Chief Scientist Award: Maisha Maliha Promi, PhD candidate in neuroscience – The Institute
  The bold idea: target aging to save the brain
• 2nd place – Jacques-Genest Award: Solène Huck, PhD candidate in chemistry – IRCM
  A promising new molecule for heart failure
• Audience Award: Zoey Chapman, MSc student in mental health – Douglas Research Centre
  The dark side of uncertainty

Sustainable health challenge

• 1st place – Chief Scientist Award: Léa Ferreira, PhD candidate in biochemistry – CRCHUS
  Aging well is something we share
• 2nd place – Jacques-Genest Award: Natasha Hassija, PhD candidate in rehabilitation sciences – The Institute
  Walk-BEST: Walk Better, Faster, Longer and Stronger through technology-enabled training
• Audience Award: Léa Ferreira, PhD candidate in biochemistry – CRCHUS
  Aging well is something we share

“With Science POP, science steps out of the lab, circulates, is explained and connects with the public. This third edition once again highlighted the richness of a committed new generation, capable of making their work accessible without compromising rigor. In today’s context, maintaining a strong connection between science and society is a shared responsibility, and Science POP contributes to this in a remarkable way. Congratulations to the IRCM team for this inspiring and impactful initiative.”
— Carole Jabet, Vice-President of Research, Scientific Directorate, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Health Sector

“This initiative, whose impact and relevance continue to grow with each edition, fully reflects IRCM’s vision of innovative, creative research that is open to society. At IRCM, training the scientists of tomorrow means providing an environment of excellence while encouraging the development of essential skills for meaningful dialogue with the public. Science POP brilliantly embodies this ability to make science vibrant, accessible and relevant.”
— Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director, IRCM

What is Science POP?

Science POP is a Quebec-wide science communication initiative led by IRCM and supported financially by the NovaScience program of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy, the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), and the IRCM Foundation.

Its goal is to foster dialogue between science and society, spark scientific curiosity across Quebec and strengthen skills in knowledge translation.