Team
The PRIMA Québec team consists of experienced professionals who contribute to the leadership and development of the innovation ecosystem in the field of advanced materials in Quebec.
In addition to financing and mobilization programs, the team provides personalized assistance with the search for partners, the development of collaborative innovation projects and any other services required to meet the expectations of each of the hub’s members.
MARIE-PIERRE IPPERSIEL, PH. D.
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Marie-Pierre Ippersiel is President and Chief Executive Officer at PRIMA Québec. Prior to this, she spent over six years working as Vice-President for the cleantech industry cluster Écotech Québec. Among other responsibilities, she managed the cluster’s operations, coordinated work sites and developed a variety of content (dissertations, studies, etc.). As Research Advisor for the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC) between 2004 and 2010, she helped implement the primary tools used in the Greater Montréal Economic Development Plan, including the cluster strategy. In 2003, she produced a notice on innovation in Quebec municipalities for the Conseil de la science et de la technologie. Ms. Ippersiel holds a PhD in Urban Studies from the INRS – Centre Urbanisation Culture Société, where she focused on science/industry relations and technological support for SMEs in college technology transfer centres. She also sits on the boards of directors for NanoCanada, the Green Surface Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Network, and the Montreal Space for Life Foundation, among other organizations. She took part in the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference in 2017.
mp.ippersiel@prima.ca
514 284-0211, ext. 224
SYLVIE DUFORT
DIRECTOR – OPERATIONS
Sylvie Dufort, Director of Operations, has over thirty years of experience in various companies, including Fonds de solidarité FTQ and André Filion Psychologie Industrielle Inc. Her involvement in the organization has grown considerably since joining NanoQuébec in 2006. Her responsibilities include providing support for the team, along with the management of administrative and financial affairs and budget follow-ups. She also manages calls for projects and grant agreements with research institutions. As Secretary for the corporation since 2008, she is in charge of organizing meetings for various PRIMA bodies (Board of Directors, AGM, audit committee, etc.). As a front-line resource at PRIMA, Ms. Dufort provides the organization with a global perspective and has developed a number of optimization processes over the years.
sylvie.dufort@prima.ca
514 284-0211, ext. 228
MICHEL LEFÈVRE, B. ING. PH. D.
DIRECTOR – PROGRAMS & INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
Michel Lefèvre, Technology and Innovation Princial Advisor, will support Quebec companies and academic researchers in their innovation projects in the field of advanced materials. With over 20 years of experience in materials research, analysis and development, Mr. Lefèvre has developed an expertise in battery and fuel cell nanomaterials and energetic materials. As a Materials Science Engineer at the Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), he obtained his doctorate on non noble metal catalyst for oxygen reduction for fuel cells in 2003 from the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique – Énergie Matériaux et Télécommunication (INRS-EMT) while working under Prof. Dodelet, a world leader in the field. As a INRS Research Associate in Prof. Dodelet’s research group, he co-invented two patents and co-authored 42 publications in journals that include Science and Nature Communications. In 2010, he co-founded Canetique Electrocatalysis Inc., a start-up that emerged from his INRS research, and has taken part in the company’s R&D and management activities for 5 years.
michel.lefevre@prima.ca
514 284-0211, ext. 227
SÉBASTIEN GARBARINO, PH. D.
ADVISOR, INFRASTRUCTURES AND INNOVATION
Sébastien Garbarino will be joining PRIMA Québec as an Infrastructure and Innovation Consultant. Mr. Garbarino will be in charge of the Infrastructure en Recherche et Développement du Québec (IRDQ); a unique tool intended to support Quebec companies and academic researchers in their innovation projects in the field of advanced materials.
With over 15 years of experience in materials research and development, Mr. Garbarino is an expert in the field of chemistry and nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion systems. After obtaining his Master’s Degree in Organic, Analytical and Marine Environmental Chemistry from the Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (France) in 2002, he completed his PhD in Electrochemistry in 2007 at University College Cork (Ireland) as part of the Surface Active Sites and Exhaust Fumes European network. With a passion for materials structuring (meso to nano) in the field of electrocatalysis, functionalized nanoparticles and the development of sensors and microsupercapacitors, Mr. Garbarino will pursue his post-doctoral training at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique – Energie Matériaux et Télécommunication (INRS-EMT).
As a INRS Research Associate in Prof. Guay’s research group since 2011, he co-invented two patents and co-authored 55 publications. Mr. Garbarino has also been recognized by a number of innovation contests (including the FRQNT and NSERC), granting him considerable knowledge of Quebec’s innovation ecosystem and funding opportunities.
sebastien.garbarino@prima.ca
514 284-0211, ext. 226
STÉPHANE RUGGERI, PH. D, CHEMIST SPECIALIST
ADVISOR, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Stéphane Ruggeri is acting as technology and innovation advisor. Senior chemist-électrochemist, research and development specialis for 12 years, Stéphane has developed his network of Quebec and American companies. His discoveries and his expertise in green chemistry have led to the development of the first Ecologo certified product: this is the first water closed system corrosion inhibitor in Canada to receive this accreditation. Stéphane has successfully implemented innovative water treatment technology for steam generators in Canada: Aquafilm V. He is considered an expert in corrosion and mineral chemistry. He also developed NRC-PARI, Mitacs research grants and tax credits for research projects with breakthrough electrochemistry technology applied to the industry.
With a master’s degree in electrochemistry acquired at the National School of Electrochemistry and Electrometallurgy of Grenoble (ENSEEG) in 1998, Stéphane receive a Ph.D. in Energy and Materials in 2002 at the National Institute of Scientific Research-Energy Materials and Telecommunication (INRS-EMT). Passionate by the storage of hydrogen and nanomaterials, he will continue his post-doctoral training with Mr. Jean-Pol Dodelet on fuel cells as part of a NSERC Research Chair with General Motors, at the National Institute of Scientific Research-Energy Materials and Telecommunications (INRS-EMT). He is author and co-author of 12 peer-reviewed publications.
stephane.ruggeri@prima.ca
514 284-0211, ext. 231
