Prizes and Distinctions

RRI IMPACT congratulates Mireille Blanchard-Desce, member of RRI, CNRS research director at ISM, and winner of the Achille Le Bel 2024 prize awarded by the Société Chimique de France.

The prize is awarded by the SCF Board of Directors. It is awarded for internationally-recognized work that falls within the scope of the SCF's activities.

Mireille Blanchard-Desce entered the ENSJF in 1980, obtaining an agrégation in physical sciences and a doctorate in organic chemistry in 1989 (Université Pierre et Marie Curie) under the supervision of Jean-Marie Lehn. Mireille Blanchard-Desce has spent her entire professional career as a CNRS researcher since 198. At ENS Paris, she set up a young team to develop and optimize new chromophores for non-linear optics. During her thesis (under the supervision of Jean-Maire Lehn), she developed the first models of conductive molecular wires, then turned to the mechanisms of electron transfer in photosynthetic processes, which enabled her to direct her work towards molecular photonics and nanoscience. These studies led to the development of high-performance materials for electro-optical modulation.

In parallel with the covalent approach taken with organic nanodots, Mireille Blanchard-Desce was interested in an alternative route based on the self-assembly in water of multipolar, polarizable chromophoric motifs. Remarkably, this approach not only modulated optical properties (emission color, excitation response), but also surface properties (colloidal stability, interactions with cell membranes). In particular, these hyper-bright, modulable molecular nanoparticles have enabled two-photon microscopy angiography on small animals, tracking of individual nanoparticles in aqueous media, and two-color tracking within living cells.

Mireille Blanchard-Desce has been involved in research administration and management: unit director (UMR6510, Rennes) and team leader, elected for three terms to the CNRS Committee, coordinator and PI of two European ITN networks, numerous regional federative projects, member of the INC scientific council, among others. She plays an active role in the dissemination of knowledge through the supervision of over 30 theses and 20 post-doctoral fellows, teaching and publishing (editorial board of ChemPhysChem), expertise (ANR, LabEx, ERC, HCERES) and scientific mediation.

His work has been recognized by the CNRS, which awarded him the bronze medal in 1990 and the silver medal in 2008. She was awarded the Grand Prix Mergier-Bourdeix by the Académie des Sciences in 1999, the Palmes Académiques in 2009 and the Légion d'Honneur in 2012.

A member of the SCF, she has served on the board of the DCP and on the boards of the DCO and the French photo-physics, photochemistry and photo-sciences group.

To date, Mireille Blanchard-Desce's scientific output totals over 315 scientific articles, 1 book and 5 book chapters, 8 patents, 128 invited lectures at conferences and congresses, and around 100 seminars presented in academic and industrial settings.

LE RRI IMPACT congratulates Justine Couvez, doctoral student in the project and winner of the 2024 Mature Your PhD! competition. IMPACT félicite Justine Couvez, doctorante au sein du projet et lauréate du concours 2024 MAture Your PhD !

The Mature Your PhD+ competition is open to the entire Université de Bordeaux doctoral community in 2nd and 3rd year, including non-funded members. In addition to the Mature ton PhD program, which is open on a permanent basis, Mature you PhD+ is a way of recognizing your commitment. Co-constructed with the Graduate Research School and SATT AST, this is an annual competition (light pre-filing and pitch to a jury). For the 3 most convincing projects, you'll be awarded a 3-month fixed-term contract, during which you'll be able to devote yourself to this mission of innovation alongside your thesis work.

Charged by the President of the Republic of Algeria, Mr Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and as part of the activities to commemorate National Student Day, celebrated on 19 May each year, the Algerian Prime Minister, Mr Nadir Larbaoui, together with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr Kamel Baddari, presided over the award ceremony for the Prize of the President of the Republic for the best student.

On Tuesday 20 May, together with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Baddari, Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui presided over the award ceremony for the first edition of the President of the Republic's Prize for the Innovative Researcher, at the "Abdelhafid Ihaddaden" science and technology centre in Sidi Abdellah (Algiers).

This prestigious award was delivered to Amel Imene Hadj Bouzid, doctoral student at IMPACT working in WP2 "Cardio-thoracic imaging".