Prix Marie-Victorin: another star for René Doyon

René Doyon, professor in the Department of Physics at Université de Montréal, is the 2024 recipient of the Prix Marie-Victorin. Awarded by the Quebec government, this prestigious recognition is given to a person who has led an outstanding career in research in the natural sciences and engineering.

Director of our institute, the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), and of the Mont-Mégantic Observatory, René Doyon is no stranger to honours. In 2023, he received NASA’s highest recognition, while the year before, Radio-Canada crowned him Scientist of the Year 2022 for the second time.

He is renowned for his unique expertise in designing astronomical instruments that allow notably the study of exoplanets. He is world-renowned for his work, which led to the first photograph of a planetary system, and for his contribution to the development of NIRISS, the Canadian instrument aboard the famous James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Taking a short break from his tireless search for extraterrestrial life – which he describes as his “professional obsession” – the starry-eyed astrophysicist shares his successes and aspirations with UdeMNouvelles.

UdeMNouvelles: What accomplishments do you feel have earned you the Prix Marie-Victorin?

René: There are many, but most revolve around the development of cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation which, along with telescopes, are the source of the great astronomical discoveries. This includes the design and construction of complex machines, but also the development of equally complex data processing algorithms that harness the full power of these instruments.

I’m also very proud to have rallied the public behind my great dream of creating an exoplanet-focused research institute, IREx, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Its mission is not only to position Quebec among the world leaders in exoplanet research, but also to share this great scientific odyssey with the public, from the youngest to the oldest.

UdeMNouvelles: Did you have to make sacrifices to get to where you are today?

René: I’d like to say no because I love my work and I’m ready to invest the time and patience it takes. I think it’s more my family that has felt the impact of my frequent absences. My career involves a lot of travel, especially with the JWST project that took 20 years. But I believe I’ve managed to find a good balance between my job and my personal life.

UdeMNouvelles: When you study astrophysics and exoplanetary sciences, do you feel you’re getting closer to humans, or further away?

René: Closer of course! Studying distant worlds and the beauty of the Universe helps us appreciate our planet, our precious spaceship. Earth is unique and fragile. This work relies on teamwork that brings people together worldwide. Astrophysicists are dreamers, and dreams unite us.

UdeMNouvelles: How important is teamwork to you?

René: It’s central and fundamental to everything I do and have achieved! It might be a cliché, but the whole is always stronger than the sum of its parts. I resonate with the first part of the Three Musketeers’ motto: “One for all.” I’m just the conductor of a well-tuned scientific orchestra. My strength is bringing people together and channeling their energy. I accept this award with great humility, as it truly belongs to my entire team—a wellspring of energy and inspiration. Every day, they push the idea of “retirement” out of my mind, even though it sometimes creeps in!

UdeMNouvelles: What is your vision for the future?

René: In the short term, I want to help discover an atmosphere around a temperate planet. This could mean liquid water on its surface. This discovery is within reach of the JWST. In ten years, I aim to be part of the next big chapter in the search for extraterrestrial life. This will involve the next generation of giant ground-based telescopes, like the 39-meter Extremely Large Telescope, set to operate in 2028.

My team and I are working with a European consortium of 13 countries to create an instrument that can detect biosignatures in the atmospheres of nearby temperate planets. My greatest wish is for Quebec scientists to actively contribute to the discovery of extraterrestrial life beyond our solar system.

But we must keep focusing on Earth. It’s a constant effort to ensure this scientific work continues. Convincing public and private decision-makers about the importance of basic research is perhaps the greatest challenge of my career. Addressing major scientific questions requires developing new technologies and advanced knowledge that ultimately benefit everyone.

I truly believe that humanity’s survival on this small planet depends on satisfying our curiosity. This curiosity is the foundation of innovation and creativity in all areas of human activity, including science and culture.

By: Béatrice St-Cyr-Leroux, UdeMNouvelles

About the Prix Marie-Victorin

Since 1977, the Prix Marie-Victorin has been awarded to someone with an outstanding career in research in the natural sciences and engineering, excluding the biomedical field. The prize recognizes work in exact and natural sciences, engineering, technological sciences, and agricultural sciences.