CERC-LM Researchers and Trainees Featured at the Grande Conférence de l’Institut Courtois 2026

On October 23, researchers, students, and partners gathered at the Grande Conférence de l’Institut Courtois 2026, a flagship event dedicated this year to Multiscale Molecular and Hybrid Materials: Microstructure, Excitons, and Many-Body Dynamics. The conference brought together internationally recognized leaders in materials science, photonics, chemistry, and condensed matter physics.

The event was opened by Carlos Silva, Director of the Institut Courtois, who welcomed participants and highlighted the Institute’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and advancing the understanding of complex materials systems.

Among the distinguished invited speakers were Sir Richard Friend (University of Cambridge), Natalie Stingelin (Georgia Institute of Technology), Aram Amassian (North Carolina State University), Audrey Laventure (Université de Montréal), and Christine Luscombe (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology).

The CERC-LM community was especially proud to see strong representation throughout the scientific program. External collaborator Natalie Stingelin delivered a presentation on the design of photonic structures for light and heat management in solution-processed optoelectronic devices, highlighting innovative approaches for next-generation solar energy technologies.

The conference also featured a presentation by Audrey Laventure, a member of the CERC-LM Core Team and Canada Research Chair in Functional Polymer Materials. Her lecture focused on structure-property relationships in functional polymer materials and advanced manufacturing approaches for next-generation electronic and responsive materials.

Later in the program, Carlos Silva presented the keynote lecture“From excitons to bioexcitons: many-body physics in conjugated polymers,” sharing perspectives from his research program and discussing how advanced spectroscopy, materials design, and theoretical modelling can work together to accelerate discoveries in quantum and photonic materials.

The afternoon poster session further highlighted the contributions of the CERC-LM community. Several trainees and researchers presented their work, including:

Félix Thouin – Quantum information perspective on multidimensional spectroscopy
Adair Campos Uscanga – Magic States in the Asymmetric Quantum Rabi Model
Alejandro Leon Grande – Quantum dynamics of molecular aggregates using the Holstein Hamiltonian
Meghan McNeil – Additive manufacturing of organic π-conjugated polymer materials for applications in flexible electronics
David Tiede – Many-body Dynamics in Polaritonic Systems

The strong participation of CERC-LM researchers, collaborators, and trainees throughout the conference reflects the Chair’s commitment to advancing excellence in research, training the next generation of scientists, and building international collaborations at the forefront of light-matter interactions and advanced materials research.

CERC-LM Students Showcase Research at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium

The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light-Matter Interactions (CERC-LM) proudly celebrates the participation of three members of our research community at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium.

CERC-LM student David Otto Tiede, at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium.

A special congratulations goes to David Otto Tiede, who received one of the symposium’s presentation awards in recognition of the outstanding quality of his research presentation. This distinction highlights both the excellence of his work and his ability to effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience.

CERC-LM student Claudia Victoria Olivar Jimenez, at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium.

CERC-LM student Simon Paiva-Ortega at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium.

The CERC-LM was also well represented by Claudia Victoria Olivar Jimenez and Simon Paiva-Ortega, who presented their research during the symposium’s Flash Talk session. Their presentations provided an opportunity to share their work with fellow students and researchers while contributing to the vibrant scientific discussions that characterize the Institut Courtois community.

The symposium brought together students and researchers from diverse disciplines to showcase cutting-edge research, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborations across the Institut Courtois.

David Otto Tiede receiving recognition for his award-winning presentation at the Institut Courtois Student Symposium.

We warmly congratulate David, Victoria, and Simon for representing the CERC-LM community and contributing to the success of this year’s symposium. We are especially delighted to celebrate David’s well-deserved recognition and look forward to seeing the continued impact of all three students’ research.

Carlos Silva Acuña Appointed to CCA Expert Panel on Advanced Materials Innovation in Canada

We are proud to share that Carlos Silva Acuña, holder of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light-Matter Interactions (CERC-LM), Professor in the Department of Physics at Université de Montréal, and Director of the Institut Courtois, has been appointed to the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) Expert Panel on Advanced Materials Innovation in Canada.

The multidisciplinary panel brings together experts from academia, research and innovation, public policy, technology commercialization, and industry to examine Canada’s position in the rapidly evolving field of advanced materials. The assessment, undertaken at the request of the National Research Council of Canada, will address an important question: What is the current state of the advanced materials ecosystem in Canada, and how can Canada position itself to prosper from the growing global demand for advanced materials?

Advanced materials are increasingly contributing to economic growth, technological advancement, and environmental sustainability. Canada has an opportunity to build on its research strengths and critical mineral resources to pursue emerging opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and reduce reliance on foreign sources of strategically important resources.

Through his participation in the panel, Carlos Silva Acuña will contribute his expertise to an independent, evidence-based assessment intended to provide Canadian decision-makers with knowledge and insight into this strategically important sector.

This appointment is a wonderful recognition of Carlos Silva Acuña’s scientific expertise and leadership, and we are delighted to see the CERC-LM represented in this important national conversation on the future of advanced materials innovation in Canada.

The CERC-LM community warmly congratulates Carlos Silva Acuña on this distinguished appointment and wishes him and his fellow panel members every success in this important undertaking.

The panel’s assessment is expected to result in a final report in 2027.

🔗 Learn more about the Expert Panel and its mandate

CERC-LM Writing Retreat 2026 Brings Researchers Together for Two Productive Days

On June 29–30, members of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light–Matter Interactions (CERC-LM) gathered at the MIL campus in Montréal for the 2026 Writing Retreat, an event dedicated to advancing research projects while strengthening connections across the CERC community.

CERC-LM members participating in focused writing sessions during the 2026 Writing Retreat.

Over two days, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and team members participated in structured writing sessions designed to support focused work on scientific manuscripts, thesis chapters, research proposals, and other academic projects. The retreat provided a dedicated environment free from everyday distractions, allowing participants to make meaningful progress on their writing goals.

Beyond individual productivity, the event fostered collaboration and peer support. Regular breaks and informal discussions created opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, share writing strategies, and learn from one another’s experiences. Wellness activities, including yoga sessions led by a member of the group, helped promote balance and maintain energy throughout the retreat.

Participants enjoyed a supportive environment designed to foster productivity and well-being.

The event also highlighted the strong community spirit of CERC-LM. Participants worked together to organize meals and refreshments, contributing homemade snacks and helping with the setup and smooth running of the retreat. This collective effort contributed to a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that reflected the collaborative values of the research community.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that the shared writing environment encouraged focus, accountability, and motivation. The retreat demonstrated the value of creating dedicated opportunities for researchers to advance their work while building stronger professional connections.

CERC-LM thanks everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this year’s Writing Retreat and looks forward to future editions of this initiative. A special thank you to Mirjam Fines-Neuschild, Principal Coordinator, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in the success of the 2026 CERC-LM Writing Retreat.

Geometric Response in Open Quantum Systems: Coherence, Curvature, and Susceptibility

A new preprint by Eric R. Bittner and Carlos Silva-Acuña of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light-Matter Interactions (CERC-LM) explores the geometric foundations of response in open quantum systems. In“Geometric Response in Open Quantum Systems: Coherence, Curvature, and Susceptibility”. This work introduces a response-geometric framework for open quantum systems, revealing how coherence, curvature, and susceptibility shape both reciprocal and nonreciprocal responses in nonequilibrium quantum environments. The study identifies geometric work as a measurable signature of nonreciprocal behavior, providing new insights into the geometry of quantum response.

Preprint available in arXiv