Our lab hosts apprentis chercheurs

Mohammad Khalili Kelaki, a graduate researcher in our group, recently participated in the Apprentis Chercheurs program at the Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications de l’INRS (Summer 2025).

As part of this outreach initiative, Mohammad mentored a Secondary 3 student from Collège Jean de la Mennais, guiding him through a week-long research project on ellipsometry of birefringence material using interferometric techniques. The student gained hands-on experience in optical alignment, data acquisition, and phase analysis using MATLAB, while learning how real research is conducted in a professional lab environment.

““Learning directly about light and its polarization from an expert, and having the chance to mount an interferometer myself, is a wonderful experience I am extremely grateful to have received.” – Vaishvik Pothuraj

Reflecting on the experience, Mohammad shared:

“This program gave me the opportunity to revisit the fundamentals of optics through a teaching lens. Mentoring a curious student reminded me why I fell in love with science in the first place—it was a refreshing and rewarding experience.”

We’re proud to contribute to the scientific journey of young minds and look forward to continuing our involvement in initiatives like Apprentis Chercheurs, which bridge research and education.