INRS professor recognized for international research and mentoring efforts in nanotechnology.

Federico Rosei, a professor at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in materials science and nanotechnology, has been appointed Materials Research Society (MRS) Fellow 2024 for “his leadership in the nanomaterials synthesis and characterization and his sustained international efforts in service, mentoring and outreach in the field.”

He thus becomes the first researcher in Quebec and the third across Canada to become a Fellow of this prestigious professional society in the field of advanced materials.

“I am honoured to become an MRS Fellow. This is an important recognition for scientists, like me, who work in the field of nanomaterials. I would like to dedicate this distinction to the young researchers who have worked in my team and contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field.”

Federico Rosei, Professor at INRS and holder of UNESCO Chair in Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Saving and Storage

A world-renowned researcher in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology, Federico Rosei has been recognized by the MRS for his work in characterizing nanomaterials, in particular multifunctional materials and their integration in optoelectronic devices.

The MRS is a leading interdisciplinary professional society in the field of advanced materials that “promotes communication for the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research and technology to improve the quality of life.” Founded in 1973, the Society has around 12,000 members from over 90 countries. Full members, or “Fellows,” are recognized for their “sustained and distinguished” contributions to advanced materials research and can serve as thought leaders to help guide and promote the development of the field.

International recognition of Canadian excellence

Professor Rosei is also one of 21 Canadian recipients of prestigious international research awards in 2023, according to the Global Excellence Initiative. In particular, he has distinguished himself through his interdisciplinary approach to promising work in nanotechnology.

Launched in 2012, the Global Excellence Initiative recognizes the contributions of Canadian researchers by identifying and supporting candidates for prestigious national and international awards. The researcher is the recipient of the only 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship in the engineering category. These Fellowships are awarded to mid-career individuals who have demonstrated exceptional research or artistic abilities, and who show great promise for the future.

His research on very small objects, which exhibit quantum effects that do not occur at the macro scale, could lead to new materials that support technological breakthroughs in energy, electronics and health.

 “When you work at such small dimensions, the boundaries between disciplines are quite blurred,” explains Professor Rosei. “So what we do is considered physics, but also chemistry and materials science, and even engineering. That’s one of the fascinating aspects of my work: I get to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and exchange ideas and perspectives. This in turn brings about insights that would be difficult to obtain if we worked independently.”

 Federico Rosei has just been named a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of materials physics, in particular multiferroic materials and quantum dots, combined with exceptional mentoring of trainees. He is also recognized for his international leadership in promoting excellence in Canadian physics worldwide.

 “We are proud to have Professor Rosei among us, an inspiring researcher for the INRS community. In addition to being a scientist of international renown for his achievements and leadership, he is also recognized for his remarkable contribution to training the next generation of scientists in Quebec and internationally. Here’s to the next generation of scientists in Quebec and around the world. Congratulations!

Isabelle Delisle, Interim Scientific Director, INRS

Professor Rosei is also the scientific head of the Nanofemtosecond Laboratory at INRS  Energie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre. Holder of the Canada Research Chair in Nanostructured Materials from 2016 to 2023, the researcher boasts an international reputation, and the recognition of his peers has translated into numerous awards, honours and distinctions in several disciplines over the years, including chemistry, education, engineering and physics.