Meet the 2026 Lauzon Grant Winners!

Two new recipients of the Jean-Marc Lauzon Grants have been selected for 2026: Riley Rosener and Azul Ruiz Diaz, both master’s students and members of IREx since September 2025.

Riley Rosener, who works under the supervision of David Lafrenière at the Université de Montréal, won the Excellence Grant, which recognises the exceptional nature of his academic record.

Azul Ruiz Diaz, working under the supervision of Jonathan Gagné at the Université de Montréal and the Montréal Planetarium, won the Perseverance Grant, awarded the Université de Montréal’s Concours de bourses de persévérance des Services à la vie étudiante competition. This grant highlights her ability to pursue her studies in astrophysics despite personal challenges along the way.

In March, Riley and Azul will have the opportunity to meet Jean-Marc Lauzon, a passionate engineer and the generous donor who made these grants possible, at the weekly IREx Café. They will present their career paths and research to Mr. Lauzon and their colleagues at IREx.

Jean-Marc Lauzon, the donor behind these grants. Courtesy photo.

“Donors provide the resources, but it is the passion, hard work, and determination of the astrophysics students that bring discoveries to fruition and turn dreams of understanding the cosmos into reality,” says Mr Lauzon. “I offer my sincerest congratulations to Azul and Riley, who have distinguished themselves through the excellence of their academic records and their perseverance in their academic journeys.”

About the Jean-Marc Lauzon Grants

The Jean-Marc Lauzon Grants are awarded annually to two students beginning their Master’s studies at the Université de Montréal and who are members of IREx. The Excellence Grant recognises the quality of one recipient’s academic record, while the Perseverance Grant rewards the sustained effort of another recipient, despite facing various difficulties. These awards are made possible through the generous donation of Jean-Marc Lauzon, a hydrogeology engineer specializing in environmental sciences and a proud supporter of IREx.