Retired INRS professor named member of Société honorifique des Compagnons de Lavoisier

LAVAL, QC, Nov. 1, 2024 /CNW/ – A leading figure in the fight against doping in sport, Christiane Ayotte, retired professor at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), has recently been recognized by Ordre des chimistes du Québec (OCQ) with the honorary title of Compagnon de Lavoisier.

Professor Ayotte thus becomes the first woman in Québec to receive this eminent distinction and joins the 25 other emeritus members who collectively form Société honorifique des Compagnons de Lavoisier.

This distinction, the highest bestowed by the Order, is awarded on an ad hoc basis to recognize a member’s valuable contribution to society and their notable involvement in promoting the discipline of chemistry during their career.

This nomination echoes Professor Ayotte’s exceptional career path, as she has previously confided that she pursued a career in science out of a desire for emancipation, in a sector where women were still under-represented.

“I am delighted and honoured to receive this distinction from my peers, and to highlight the essential contribution of Ordre des chimistes to Québec. Before guillotining Antoine Lavoisier, the court declared that the ‘republic has no need of scientists or chemists.’ Today, 230 years later and at a time when every opinion, no matter how unfounded, carries equal weight and spreads throughout society, the voice of chemists and biochemists must be heard. I’ve always been very proud to be a woman and a chemist. I hope that by speaking out, I’ve inspired young Quebecers to take an interest in science and make it their career,” says Christiane Ayotte, retired INRS professor, world expert in doping control.

“The contributions of Ms. Christiane Ayotte extend far beyond the world of sports. Her work and research have had positive impacts in several other health-related professions. Her ability to simplify complex concepts has helped educate the public on the risks associated with doping, as well as the importance of ethical rules in all areas of life. Ms. Ayotte is an ambassador for the profession, but also for the entire professional system,” proudly emphasizes Mr. Michel Alsayegh, president of the Ordre des chimistes du Québec.

The awards ceremony took place at the Gala de reconnaissance des membres émérites as part of the Grand RDV des chimistes et des biochimistes 2024, held on October 17.

A world-class career

Throughout her career, Professor Ayotte has distinguished herself as a world expert in doping control. Her dedication to the integrity of sport, the protection of athletes, and the advancement of scientific knowledge in this ever-evolving field has been applauded the world over.

For more than 30 years, Professor Ayotte headed the INRS Doping Control Laboratory based at the INRS Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre in Laval and served as a scientific expert on the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Commission at the Salt Lake City, Beijing, London, Sochi, and Rio Olympic Games. Under her leadership, the laboratory team achieved international recognition, carrying out analyses for several major competitions such as the Pan-American Games, the Central American Games, the Vancouver Olympics, and other Olympic Games.

She has also served on a number of World Anti-Doping Agency committees and working groups, contributing to the drafting of standards and technical documents governing analyses carried out in accredited laboratories. She has not hesitated to defend the science of doping control when challenged in international courts.

Her scientific expertise and vast experience have made her a key figure in the sports media landscape, with several thousand interviews to her credit. She is called upon by national and international media as an authority in the field when cases of doping in sport occur.

“Professor Ayotte’s contribution to our establishment is invaluable: thanks to the immense scope of her work, our laboratories are now among the most recognized infrastructures in the fight against doping in Quebec and around the world. This distinction is a magnificent recognition of all that she has accomplished for her profession and her field of research, but also for society and for the next generation of scientists,” adds Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Executive Director of INRS.

Regularly recognized for her research work, Professor Ayotte has received numerous awards and distinctions. In 2018, she was awarded the insignia of Officer of the Order of Canada “for her relentless fight against doping in sport,” as well as a 50th Anniversary Tribute Medal from Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie. She was also the first chemist to receive the Prix René Dussault 2024, awarded by Conseil interprofessionnel du Québec (CIQ), for her prestigious career.

About INRS 

INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. For the past 55 years, it has actively contributed to Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development. INRS is first in Canada in research intensity. It is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre). The INRS community includes over 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty and staff members. inrs.ca

SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)

Accolades include “2024 100 Best Companies” and “2024 Top Companies for Executive Women”

LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Lexmark, a global imaging and IoT solutions leader, has received two top employer awards from Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to inclusive workplaces.

The first award, “2024 100 Best Companies,” is an annual list of U.S. companies that set the standard for family-friendly practices including parental leave, fertility/adoption benefits and flexible scheduling. This is the eighth year Lexmark has received the honor.

The second award, “2024 Top Companies for Executive Women,” is an annual ranking that evaluates how U.S. companies champion women’s achievements in the workplace, with a focus on succession planning, gender-pay parity, and flexibility, among other categories. This is the sixth time Lexmark has been named to the list.

“It is an honor to again be recognized by Seramount,” said Tonya Jackson, senior vice president and chief people officer at Lexmark. “Our people are the most valuable resource of our company. Enabling their success means setting Lexmark up for success.”

Jackson noted that Lexmark continuously evaluates its policies to help families balance responsibilities at work and home and considers the importance of having diverse leadership that reflects our workforce and our customers.

Employers included in the top 100 list can recognize up to two employees to be named “Working Parents of the Year.” Lexmark’s 2024 parent honorees are Meagan Sisk, senior manager for embedded systems, and Phillip Sisk, senior manager for quality and compliance.

Click here to read about the Sisks, Lexmark’s 2024 Working Parents of the Year.

Supporting resources

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About Lexmark
Lexmark creates cloud-enabled imaging and IoT technologies that help customers worldwide quickly realize business outcomes. Through a powerful combination of proven technologies and deep industry expertise, Lexmark accelerates business transformation, turning information into insights, data into decisions, and analytics into action. 

Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Lexmark

Visionary Leaders, International Industry Experts, and Startups in Quantum Technology Collaborate to Turn Quantum Potential into Real-World Solutions

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — QC Ware, a leader in quantum and quantum-inspired software and services, is proud to announce the 8th edition of its flagship event, Q2B (Quantum to Business) Silicon Valley. Regarded as the premier event for the global quantum computing community, Q2B will take place at the Santa Clara Convention Center from December 10–12, 2024. This event, themed “The Roadmap to Quantum Value,” will convene top industry leaders, pioneering startups, academics, and quantum technology vendors. Registration is open now and conference tickets are available. To learn more about the conference and register, visit Q2B Silicon Valley.

As the Q2B Platinum sponsor, IBM will contribute to discussions and demonstrations aimed at accelerating the adoption of quantum computing in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, and artificial intelligence.

Additional key sponsors for the event include Quantum Delta NL, Google Quantum AI, AWS, Classiq, Pasqal, Horizon Quantum, Quantum Corridor, IONQ, Q-CTRL, Quantum Machines, C12, QuEra Computing, Rigetti, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and Quobly, among others. These industry leaders will host sessions, live demonstrations, and collaborations aimed at accelerating the commercialization and adoption of quantum technologies.

“Quantum technology is advancing steadily, with meaningful progress being made in areas like error correction and quantum algorithms,” said Matt Johnson, CEO of QC Ware. “Q2B is more than a platform for showcasing these breakthroughs—it’s a global collaboration to accelerate quantum’s journey from research to real-world applications. By coming together, we can push the boundaries of quantum technologies and bring practical solutions to industries that stand to benefit most.”

Three Days of Quantum Speaker Insights and Networking

Over the course of three days, Q2B will offer cutting-edge discussions, exclusive product announcements, and hands-on demonstrations from the forefront of the quantum industry. Attendees will hear from thought leaders across government, academia, and Fortune 100 corporations. Key areas of focus include:

Quantum Computing Hardware & SoftwareError CorrectionQuantum AIGovernment ProgramsOn-Premises Quantum ComputingCommunications and SecurityIndustry Case StudiesAnalyst and Business Track

This year’s conference also brings together a prestigious lineup of speakers who will present on key topics, including:

John Preskill – Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics and Director, Institute for Quantum Information and Matter at California Institute of TechnologyScott Aaronson, David J. Bruton Centennial Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Quantum Information Center, University of Texas at AustinHartmut Neven, VP, Engineering, GoogleDr. Michael Hayduk – Deputy Director, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New YorkWilliam Hurley, Founder & CEO, StrangeworksCelia Merzbacher, QED-C Executive Director, SRI International

This year’s program will also place special emphasis on quantum error correction, quantum sensing, and quantum communications—all critical for advancing the commercial viability of quantum technologies. Government programs and initiatives will be a central focus, reflecting the growing investments in quantum research for both national security and economic development.

Dr. Michael J. Hayduk, the Deputy Director of the Information Directorate at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), conveyed AFRL’s anticipation for the annual Q2B conference. He underscored AFRL’s steadfast dedication to advancing quantum research and underscored how the event harmonizes with AFRL’s research mission. Dr. Hayduk also emphasized the potential for collaboration and the expedited development of quantum capabilities, with AFRL’s engagement in the quantum arena benefiting both the nation and the global community.

Get Hands-On With the Quantum Hackathon

For the first time, Q2B will include a Quantum Hackathon, led by IBM, and powered by Qiskit — the world’s most popular software stack for quantum computing. This collaborative event invites participants from industry and academia to tackle real-world challenges using quantum algorithms and tools, with a particular focus on optimization, and machine learning.

Pitch Competition Serves as a Launchpad for Quantum Startups

As part of its commitment to nurturing the next generation of quantum innovators, Q2B 2024 will feature a startup pitch competition, organized by QAI Ventures. This competition will give early-stage companies a platform to present their innovations to a global audience of investors, researchers, and industry leaders.

To register to attend Q2B Silicon Valley 2024, click here.

About QC Ware

QC Ware is a leading software and services company at the forefront of quantum and classical computing. Our team includes some of the industry’s top experts in machine learning and chemistry applications for near-term quantum computers and high-performance classical systems. We deliver real enterprise value with cutting-edge computational technology, providing innovative solutions that drive business success. QC Ware is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and supports its European customers through its subsidiary in Paris and customers in Asia through its business development office in Tokyo, Japan. QC Ware also organizes Q2B, a global series of conferences for industry, practitioner, and academic quantum computing communities.

Media Contact:
Allie Kuopus
Purpose Brand
q2bmedia@qcware.com

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SOURCE QC Ware Corp.