Carla Bautista is our 2023 Michèle-Auger awardee

Ms. Bautista began her studies in Spain, at the University of King Juan Carlos for a bachelor’s degree in biology and at the Autonomous University of Madrid for a master’s degree in biotechnology. Following an accelerated passage, she started a PhD in 2019 at Laval University; “One of the most important decisions of my career,” she announces. Her research, which combines her two passions, evolutionary biology and astrobiology, focuses on the ability of organisms to adapt to extreme changes in environmental conditions.

Dr. Bautista is a committed and inspiring student who has been awarded numerous scholarships for excellence from her studies in Spain to the present day. She is also very good at science communication and was selected by the Genetics Society of America to participate in an international leadership program for 5 years to make science more accessible to the general public. She has led various projects in this area and has published articles on recognized platforms. In addition, she won the best project award in the New Applications category at the International Genetics Engineered Machine competition at the prestigious MIT in the Boston area. Carla is also involved in her community and has worked to promote equality and eradicate discrimination as well as environmental awareness.

“I am so grateful to PROTEO for this award in memory of Pre Michele Auger. It is an incredible honor to receive it! Thank you for highlighting the work of women in this field and for including me in this process,” said Carla Bautista.

“Carla is one of the most enthusiastic and driven individuals in research that I have been fortunate to come across in my career. Her great communication skills and leadership make Carla an outstanding international scientific ambassador for PROTEO. It is hard to believe that she is only in her doctoral studies when you look at the impact of her social involvement. She has all the potential to become an independent researcher and a leader in her field of research at the end of her studies,” said Professor Christian Landry, the winner’s thesis director.

Professor Steve Bourgault, Director of PROTEO, was delighted with Ms. Batista’s success. “The Michèle-Auger Prize, which we have been awarding for the past few years, aims to honour and support young women who stand out for their academic excellence and social commitment. Carla Bautista is a dedicated and talented young woman, an inspiring role model for the Quebec scientific community.

About Michèle Auger

Originally from Grand-Mère, Michèle Auger studied biophysics at UQTR. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Ottawa before doing postdoctoral studies at MIT. She then went on to