INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
A new Municipal Research Chair for Ecological and Social Transition

Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and Ville de Mirabel are proud to announce the creation of a Municipal Research Chair for Ecological and Social Transition. This partnership embodies the city's commitment to innovation through exemplary eco-responsible transition in agriculture, strategic waste and water management and land development.

From left to right: David Chatenet, Director, INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie; Kokou Adjallé, INRS professor and co-holder of the Mirabel Municipal Research Chair; Philippe Constant, INRS professor and co-holder of the Mirabel Municipal Research Chair; Patrick Charbonneau, Mayor of Mirabel; Marie-Hélène Fugère, Chief Coordinator, Carrefour d'innovation écoresponsable de Mirabel 

"This new Municipal Research Chair exemplifies INRS's mission to put science to work for society and, in this case, communities. Through our partnership with Ville de Mirabel, we are joining forces to take concrete action in response to the environmental and economic challenges of today and tomorrow. By mobilizing the expertise of our researchers and fostering innovation in the field, we are helping to build a more sustainable future rooted in local realities. " 

Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Chief Executive Officer, INRS 

This Chair will be a catalyst for change, bringing together researchers, citizens and local actors around research and knowledge-transfer activities that meet the community's current and future needs. The Chair's activities will contribute to the creation of distinctive technology showcases for agri-tourism in the region, promoting the innovation and expertise of local players. 

"Through our partnership with INRS, this Municipal Research Chair is an opportunity to use research to understand our environment better in order to interact with it sustainably. With these actions, we want to inspire our community and explore technological and innovative opportunities to preserve the soil, the ecosystem and future generations. "  

Patrick Charbonneau, Mayor of Mirabel 

Leading the Chair, INRS professors Philippe Constant and Kokou Adjallé have agreed to put their expertise at the service of the Mirabel community. Microbiologist Philippe Constant, the chief scientific advisor for Ville de Mirabel, has been working closely with the city since 2021. Kokou Adjallé is a chemical physicist who has distinguished himself in the fields of environmental biotechnology and green chemistry. Together, they are already piloting research projects in Mirabel involving more than ten companies, four universities, two research centres and three economic development organizations. These projects are helping them develop a clear portrait of the city's specific needs. 

"This Municipal Research Chair demonstrates our ongoing commitment to support Mirabel's efforts to innovate. The resilience of agricultural businesses and farmlands in the face of economic, social and environmental challenges is the heart of our research activities. " 

Philippe Constant, INRS professor, chief scientific advisor for Ville de Mirabel

"This Municipal Research Chair offers a concrete opportunity for INRS to use its expertise to serve a mid-sized city without a university in its territory. Through this Chair, Ville de Mirabel can strengthen its existing partnership with INRS, as part of its innovation and sustainable development plans and efforts, to become a model city for agriculture and food self-sufficiency in Quebec. " 

Kokou Adjallé, INRS professor and Scientific head of the Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory

This project is part of the $1,487,405 agreement signed in 2024 with the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH) as part of the Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR) Volet 3 - Projets "Signature innovation" creating the Carrefour d'innovation écoresponsable in Mirabel. Part of this amount ($300,000 over five years) will be used to fund the Research Chair, ensuring its lasting impact on the city and citizens for years to come.