Congratulations to Ximena Zottig, first recipient of the 2020 Michèle Auger Award

Quebec City, July 7, 2020 – Ximena Zottig, a doctoral student at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), is the first winner of the Michèle-Auger Award. This distinction is awarded annually to a woman pursuing graduate studies in protein science within the PROTEO network. Accompanied by a $5,000 scholarship, the award recognizes an individual who, while pursuing cutting-edge research activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the scientific community and society.

Originally from Argentina, Ms. Zottig grew up in Trois-Rivières. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and her graduate studies under Prof. Marc Beauregard, before joining UQÀM. Her research focuses on the design of nanovaccines based on self-assembling proteins. From her high school days to the present day, Ms. Zottig has been an inspiring role model for her peers, involved in numerous causes and committees. Examples include her most recent actions as a student member of UQÀM’s working group on reconciliation with aboriginal peoples and co-organizer of the institution’s Women in Science Day.

“I am very honoured to receive this award in memory of Pre Michèle Auger. It is thanks to role models like Pre Auger that many young women, like me, feel at home in research, particularly in biophysics, a discipline where there are few women,” said Ximena Zottig.

“When I reread the selection criteria for the award, I couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate than Ms. Zottig. Ximena is not only committed to the community, she has enormous research potential,” said Pr Steve Bourgault, the winner’s thesis supervisor.

Prof. Normand Voyer of Université Laval and Director of PROTEO was delighted with Ms. Zottig’s success: “With the Michèle-Auger Award, we want to recognize and encourage brilliant, committed young women who are inspiring role models for the entire scientific community in Quebec. Ms. Zottig has had a remarkable career in every respect,” he added.

About Michèle Auger

Born in Grand-Mère, QC, Michèle Auger merited a B. Sc. in Biophysics from UQTR. She obtained a Ph. D. in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa and undertook postdoctoral reseach at the MIT, specializing in solid-state NMR applied to proteins. She pursued an outstanding scientific career in molecular biophysics at Université Laval before losing her battle to cancer at too young an age, on October 2018. She has been a model for generations of scientists, especially for women. Her engagement in the scientific community and in promoting science was notable and inspiring.

About PROTEO

Founded in 1999, PROTEO is the Quebec research network on protein function, engineering and applications. Supported by the FRQNT, it brings together over 350 researchers from 74 research teams at 13 institutions across Quebec.