2017 Medal Winners | francais

PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 2017 CAP Herzberg Medal

is awarded to

Paul François

"I am humbled and honored to receive the CAP Herzberg medal. I have been very lucky to work with tremendous students, postdocs and collaborators, and it is wonderful to see recognition for our biophysical approach." winner citation

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is pleased to announce that the 2017 CAP Herzberg Medal is awarded to Paul François, McGill University, in recognition of for his seminal research in theoretical biophysics, particularly the use of methods from statistical and computational physics to model cellular processes as non-linear dynamical systems. announcement

Paul Fran�ois is one of the world�s leading experts in theoretical biophysics, in particular for modeling of cellular behavior using tools from nonlinear, statistical and computational physics. In particular, Francois used Monte Carlo approaches to study directed evolution of nonlinear systems modelling gene networks, which led to several theoretical advances in the description of evolution and of systems ranging from immune recognition, biological nonlinear oscillators to vertebrate development. He is using phenomenological approaches inspired by physics to develop �phenotypic models�, for instance explaining theoretically many contradictory experimental aspects of early immune recognition. In addition he has applied physical insights to the study of embryonic development. He has developed analysis tools to quantify embryonic development, model flows and diffusion of cells in embryonic tissue. More recently he has built oscillatory phase models explaining puzzling properties of development such as scaling of vertebrae with embryo size or coupling of multiple oscillators driving vertebrae formation. He has been collaborating with several international groups in quantitative immunology and embryonic development, to whom he has provided unique theoretical support. Prof. Fran�ois� work has been published and featured in the most prestigious interdisciplinary science journals and his work has been recognized by major awards including a 2014 Simons Investigator award for mathematical modelling of biological systems. nominator citation

The CAP Herzberg medal recognizes outstanding achievement in any field of research by an early-career Canadian physicist (i.e. successfully defended their doctoral thesis within the 12 years prior to the award). The annual CAP Herzberg Medal was introduced in 1970. Prior to 2011, the medal was awarded for outstanding achievement by a Canadian physicist under the age of 40.

Dr. Fran�ois will be presented with his medal at the Recognition Reception at Queen's University on Thursday, June 1, 2017. The Awards Reception is the closing event of the CAP Congress hosted by Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, from May 29-June 1. Please refer to the Congress program (http://www.cap.ca/en/congress/2017) for the schedule of plenary talks by CAP medal winners. medal description

ABOUT the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP)

The Canadian Association of Physicists, founded in 1945, is a professional association representing over 1600 individual physicists and physics students in Canada, the U.S. and overseas, as well as a number of Corporate, Institutional, and Departmental Members. In addition to its learned activities, the CAP, through its charitable arm - the CAP Foundation, also undertakes a number of activities intended to encourage students to pursue a career in physics. cap description

joint description

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For more information, please contact:

Mrs. Francine Ford, Executive Director
Canadian Association of Physicists
Tel: 613-562-5614
E-mail: execdir@cap.ca
www.cap.cacap contact and joint contact