2nd prize: Marie-Andrée Fallu, Université de Montréal
From participating in Expo-sciences fairs to leading groups through Parc national de Miguasha, Marie-Andrée has always had a penchant for making science accessible! After completing her graduate studies in paleobiogeography at Université Laval and postdoctoral fellowship in aquatic ecology at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, she became a scientific liaison officer in the Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en limnologie (GRIL), a strategic cluster funded by the FRQNT based at Université de Montréal.
Her career choice, which was uncommon at the time and has remained her passion for the past 15 years, enables her to share knowledge in aquatic ecology beyond academia to government departments, municipalities, NPOs and more, as well as demystify the science for everyone. One thing led to another, and Marie-Andrée was eventually appointed general coordinator and liaison officer. Her academic experience provides her with the tools to support the executive team by drafting grant proposals, contributing to committees on behalf of the GRIL and speaking at various events. She coordinates the research centre’s activities, including symposiums, seminars, workshops and training sessions, for its members in 10 institutions across Québec. She also oversees the GRIL’s social media accounts and dissemination activities and produces the new Balad’eau podcast.