Catherine Bréchignac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Bréchignac
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Catherine Bréchignac in 2006
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| Born | 12 June 1946 |
| Nationality | French |
| Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Faculté des sciences d'Orsay |
| Awards | Grand Officier of the Légion d'honneur Many others, see article |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | CNRS |
Catherine Bréchignac (born June 12, 1946) is a famous French physicist. She is known for her important work in science. People describe her as determined and good at explaining tricky ideas. She was once the head of the CNRS, a huge science organization in France.
When she led the CNRS, she was in charge of 25,000 employees. About 12,000 of these people were researchers. She also managed a large budget of 2.42 billion Euros.
Contents
Catherine Bréchignac's Life and Career
Catherine Bréchignac is the daughter of another physicist, Jean Teillac. She started her higher education in 1967 at the École Normale Supérieure de Fontenay-aux-Roses. In 1971, she earned her master's-level degree from the Faculté des sciences d'Orsay. She then completed her doctorate in 1977.
Becoming a Research Leader
By 1985, Catherine Bréchignac became a Research Director. This meant she was leading important science projects. In 1989, she became the director of the Aimé Cotton laboratory.
From 1997 to 2000, she served as the Director General of the CNRS. During this time, she worked on making changes to the organization. She also became president of the Institut d'optique théorique et appliquée in 2003. This institute focuses on how light works.
Leading Science Organizations
In 2004, she became the president of the Palais de la découverte, which is a science museum in Paris. In 2005, she was chosen to be the future president of the International Council for Science (ICSU). This is a big international group that connects scientists worldwide.
Catherine Bréchignac was appointed President of the CNRS again in 2006. She held this important role until 2010. From 2011 to 2018, she was a permanent secretary for the Académie des sciences.
Discovering Cluster Physics
Catherine Bréchignac helped create a new area of science called cluster physics. This field connects different parts of physics, like how atoms, molecules, and solid materials behave.
What are Clusters?
Clusters are tiny groups of atoms or molecules. They are like the very first steps towards creating "nano-objects." Nano-objects are super small things, often used in new technologies. Understanding clusters helps scientists learn how materials form and behave at a very tiny scale.
Awards and Other Roles
Catherine Bréchignac has held many important positions and received several awards for her contributions to science.
- President of the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research)
- Member of the Institute (a prestigious group of French scholars)
- President of the Board of the Palais de la Découverte (Palace of Discovery science museum)
- President of the International Council for Science (ICSU)
- Member of the Academy of Technologies
- Director of Renault (a major car company)
- "Commandeur" of the Legion d'honneur (a high French award)
Scientific Honors
- Prix de l 'Académie des Sciences (1991)
- CNRS Silver Medal (1994)
- Correspondent member of the Academy of Sciences (1997)
- Winner of the Holweck Medal (2003)
- Member of the Academy of Sciences (2005)
- Doctor Honoris Causa from several universities:
* Freie Universität Berlin (2003) * Georgia Tech Institute (2006) * École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2007)
See also
In Spanish: Catherine Bréchignac para niños
