2nd prize: Denis Sarrazin, Université Laval
Denis Sarrazin has been working at the Centre for Northern Studies (CEN) for over 20 years. After completing a master’s degree in geographical sciences, he was hired to maintain and develop the Sila and Qaujisarvik networks. He has set up more than 90 automated environmental data acquisition stations for the Sila network and continues to manage this network, from logistics planning and component manufacture to deployment, programming, and data retrieval. Today the Sila network is the largest environmental monitoring network in the circumpolar north, placing Québec at the forefront of northern research in Canada and around the world.
His work takes him to hostile, isolated environments with a high level of risk. Each year, he spends 4 to 5 months in the field, travelling through northeastern North America, covering more than 4,200 km of latitude. He has the privilege of supporting, collaborating with and guiding research teams, both local and international, in a variety of capacities including organizing their mission, advising them on data acquisition protocols, ensuring different aspects of their safety, and helping supervise their students.