CEDENNA inaugurated its annual seminar series with the visit of Dr. Sébastien Garbarino, Director of Infrastructure and Innovation at PRIMA Québec, an entity of the regional Canadian government dedicated to creating a research and innovation hub in advanced materials through funding collaborative research projects between science and industry, focusing on applications in energy, mining, environment, health, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and much more.
The inaugural lecture he offered to CEDENNA and Usach researchers, academics, and students focused precisely on the work of this entity, which he described as "a unique formula for collaborations between research and industry."
PRIMA Québec is directed by a council of 17 members, of which 12 belong to the industrial sector, 3 to the research sector, and 2 additional members, with whom Dr. Garbarino has actively participated since 2018.
He emphasized that it is a multisectoral industrial research group that seeks to increase the competitiveness of the advanced materials industry by stimulating collaborative innovation. "The important thing," he said, "is to be proactive in approaching companies and providing our scientific and technological capabilities to solve their problems with advanced technologies and financing their initial incorporation."
About thirty research centers and over a hundred industries of all sizes (from small producers to the German Siemens) are associated with this entity. In this way, he said, a mutual trust interface in research and development is generated that promotes the rapprochement between the different actors in the ecosystem, allowing the industry and companies of all sizes to benefit from high-tech knowledge, making this strategic sector one of the most innovative.
Another of its objectives is to facilitate access to state-of-the-art equipment and ensure the transfer of knowledge through training and the sustainability of qualified personnel in the industry.
ENTHUSIASM FOR DEVELOPMENT
Passionate about the structuring of materials in the field of electrocatalysis, functionalized nanoparticles, and the development of sensors and micro supercapacitors, Dr. Garbarino got to know each of the laboratories that make up CEDENNA in detail before giving his lecture to an audience that brought together researchers from the different research lines of the Center.
"I am amazed by the diversity of human teams and physical resources you have. By the conjunction of students, postdocs, and researchers working together with great passion for their developments," he said at the end of the tour.
Finally, he showed interest in how the center promotes (like PRIMA) the consideration of occupational health, safety, and high academic and technological standards.
As a researcher, Dr. Garbarino has over 15 years of experience in materials research and development, holds three patents, is the author of 67 publications, and has been recognized in several innovation competitions, giving him extensive knowledge of Quebec's innovation ecosystem and funding opportunities.
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