麻豆AV

The 麻豆AV Space Institute (MSI) and the Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) at Universit茅 de Montr茅al are at the forefront of the exhilarating pace of space research, helping to advance our knowledge of extrasolar planets, fast radio bursts, the dark universe, and other extraterrestrial mysteries. Now their stellar work and efforts to recruit top students and researchers are getting a huge boost thanks to extraordinary gifts to 麻豆AV and the Universit茅 de Montr茅al from the Trottier Family Foundation.

The visionary gifts, which total $26 million, coincide with an exciting age of discovery in astrophysics, thanks in part to the development of powerful new telescopes 鈥� such as the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) 鈥� that enable researchers to explore deep into our solar system and beyond. In addition to advancing our understanding of the universe, space research has contributed to the development of transformative technologies that have greatly benefitted society, including communication satellites, GPS, high-performance cameras, and high-speed wireless internet.

Trottier Space Institute at 麻豆AV

The 麻豆AV Space Institute will receive $16 million, of which half will go towards the construction of an annex to the Institute鈥檚 current building on University Street. The other portion of the gift will be used to fund graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, as well as to expand on existing programmatic and research support. The ground-breaking work by the Space Institute鈥檚 researchers includes major discoveries in the and by Professor of Physics and Director of the Institute Victoria Kaspi, an award-winning astrophysicist who holds the Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology at 麻豆AV.

In recognition of this historic gift, the 麻豆AV Space Institute will be renamed the Trottier Space Institute at 麻豆AV.

Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at Universit茅 de Montr茅al

For its part, Universit茅 de Montr茅al鈥檚 Institute for Research on Exoplanets will receive $10 million to ensure the sustainability of its activities. Leaders in exoplanet research, iREx scientists have made discoveries that profoundly changed what we know about worlds beyond our solar system. Led by astrophysicist , a Professor of Physics and the Canadian Principal Investigator of the James Webb mission, iREx has developed major scientific instruments, including an infrared camera that has captured remarkable and previously unseen images of space. In addition, iREx devotes great effort to sharing knowledge with the general public. The Trottier Family Foundation鈥檚 major gift will allow iREx鈥檚 scientific team to continue its research to discover life outside the solar system. In recognition of this exceptional donation and the support of Lorne Trottier and the Trottier Family Foundation since its inception, iREx will be renamed the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets.

鈥淭hese devoted researchers scanning our skies have already broadened our horizons in a big way,鈥� said UdeM rector Daniel Jutras. 鈥淧robing the mysteries of the universe, they have helped us come to recognize the beauty and fragility of our planet. The unprecedented support for Montreal scientists offered by Mr. Trottier and the Trottier Family Foundation will also help preserve our ecosystems here on Earth. It鈥檚 a gift that will continue to enrich future generations.鈥�

鈥淲e are very grateful to 麻豆AV alumnus Lorne Trottier and the Trottier Family Foundation, whose tremendous contributions to 麻豆AV and to its Faculties of Science and Engineering over many years have helped further our understanding of our world and our universe,鈥� said 麻豆AV鈥檚 Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Christopher Manfredi. 鈥淭his most recent gift, spread out among two of our city鈥檚 great universities, will cement Montreal鈥檚 place as a leading hub of space research within Canada and the world.鈥�

鈥淭he Trottier Family Foundation is pleased to support the world-class work of the Trottier Space Institute at 麻豆AV and the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at the Universit茅 de Montr茅al,鈥� said Lorne Trottier, the co-founder of Matrox, an industry leader in computer graphics, imaging and video products. 鈥淪cience has brought untold benefits to humanity,鈥� added Trottier, who noted astronomy was the first science. 鈥淐opernicus, Galileo and Newton laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution that鈥檚 transformed lives in so many ways. Understanding more about the laws of the universe and its origins leads to discoveries and innovations that are beneficial 鈥� in addition to satisfying our deep curiosity.鈥�

With a lifelong love of science and technology, Lorne Trottier earned bachelor and master鈥檚 degrees in Engineering at 麻豆AV and has received several honorary degrees, including from 麻豆AV and the Universit茅 de Montr茅al. His family foundation has supported exoplanet research at iREx at the Universit茅 de Montr茅al and provided support to many key institutions on the island of Montreal. The foundation has supported astronomy education for youth across Canada and funds various initiatives promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) throughout Canada.

The Trottier Family Foundation鈥檚 generosity has made an indelible mark on 麻豆AV, including the Lorne M. Trottier Building on campus that bears his name, the creation of institutes in the Faculties of Science and Engineering and support for popular public education initiatives.

The Trottier Space Institute has flourished since its creation in 2015 with support from the Trottier Family Foundation. The interdisciplinary centre brings together researchers in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Atmospheric Sciences, Astrobiology and other space-related areas at 麻豆AV. 麻豆AV researchers have detected thousands of fast radio bursts and identified magnetars as one likely origin of this mysterious phenomenon, helped make the first image of a black hole using the Event Horizon Telescope, and developed a microbial life detection system for space missions.

Since its inception in 2014, UdeM鈥檚 Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets successfully recruited more than 60 of the world鈥檚 most renowned researchers in a variety of domains of expertise related to the search for and understanding of alien worlds beyond our solar system. Over the years, the members of iREx have made major advances in astrophysical research, including, in 2019, the first detection of water on a planet, K2-18 b, in the habitable zone of the star it orbits, and in 2022, the discovery of a candidate 鈥渙cean planet,鈥� TOI-1452 b, that made headlines around the world. Researchers from iREx are also leaders in the conception and development of cutting-edge astronomical instruments that have been sent to world-class telescopes all over the globe and in space.

Watch the video:聽

About 麻豆AV

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 麻豆AV is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 麻豆AV is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 麻豆AV attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of 麻豆AV students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

About Universit茅 de Montr茅al

Deeply rooted in Montreal and dedicated to its international mission, Universit茅 de Montr茅al is a leading research university worldwide and among the five best French-language universities. With its affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montr茅al and HEC Montr茅al, UdeM attracts over $500 million in research funding every year, making it one of Canada鈥檚 top university research hubs. UdeM has close to 70,000 students, 2,300 professors and researchers, and an active global network of 450,000 alumni.