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Key events
Quebec forum on advanced materials
In April 2023, CERMA co-organized with CQMF and RQMP, the Quebec Advanced Materials Forum (FQMA) – All about collaborative research! The main aim of the FQMA was not only to stimulate collaborations between industry and academic researchers, but also to discuss the best ways of fostering and achieving them.
MP Joëlle Boutin did us the honor of giving the opening speech, and we were fortunate to welcome Deputy Minister Mathieu Gervais for the closing remarks. Over two days, the event brought together some 130 people from all over the region, who were able to exchange ideas at length.
Over the two days, industries presented technological challenges to university and college researchers from all over the province. Sixteen research centers showcased their services. Examples of successful collaborations were presented, and many other activities took place. More than twenty potential collaborations were identified as a result of this event, following a survey of participants.
The FQMA will probably be back for a second edition in 2025!
Un bon point de REPÈRE
In 2019, PRIMA Québec brought together seven platforms within six Quebec universities to form a Network of Public Advanced Equipment and Research Expertise for Business (REPERE). CERMA is one of these platforms. The good thing about REPERE is the event that brings together advanced materials SMEs and CERMA members. Two editions have taken place so far, one in 2020 and the last in 2023.
During these half-day events, several companies in the advanced materials field have had the opportunity to present their expertise and exchange views with our members, both professors and the student community.
At the last event, two former CERMA students now employed in the private sector came to talk about their careers, and eight companies attended. No fewer than 90 people attended the event, 25% of them industrialists.
Funding
Here you’ll find funding programs dedicated to collaboration.
Examples of collaboration
Pharma in silica and Marc-André Fortin: Building the road to improved chemo
Dr Fortin’s team marked Pharma’s nanovectors in silica with radioisotopes in order to reveal in real time, through biomedical imaging, their diffusion path in the body of a mouse (in vivo study). This method was integrated into Pharma in silica’s analytical repertoire when it prepares a clinical trial application.
The development of the method by the BIM laboratory was financed by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Quebec (MEIE) up to 80% and 20% by Pharma in silica.
The work would not have been possible without the use of equipment from the Center for Research on Advanced Materials (CERMA) at Laval University.
“Collaboration with established pharmaceutical companies or with small innovative companies like Pharma in silica contributes usefully to the training and maintenance of our teams of researchers, professionals and students.” (translation)
“The CR-CHU of Quebec – Université Laval is an essential travel companion for Pharma in silica. The road to better chemo is built thanks to the recruitment of doctors of science, experts like Professor Fortin and the technical infrastructure of CERMA.” (translation)
