Claire Deschênes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claire Deschênes
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Claire Deschênes is a super smart Canadian engineer. She was born in 1954. She is a professor of mechanical engineering at Université Laval. She is also a member of the Order of Canada, which is a very high honor.
Claire Deschênes was the first woman to become an engineering professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Laval University. She is an expert in how water moves and powers machines like turbines. This field is called hydrodynamics and fluid mechanics.
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Claire's Early Life and School
When Claire was in a college program, her father passed away. Her mother also became sick. Claire first studied psychology. Then she took a break to help her mom. After that, she studied math, physics, and biology.
She decided to study mechanical engineering in university. She wanted a stable job so she could help her family if they needed it. Claire was the only woman in her engineering program.
She continued her studies at Université Laval for a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Claire then won a scholarship to study in France. She earned her PhD at the Grenoble Institute of Technology in France. There, she studied how fluids move inside hydraulic turbines using computers. She finished her degree in 1990. After that, she returned to Université Laval. She became the first female engineering professor there.
Claire's Amazing Career
In 1989, Claire Deschênes started the Laboratoire de Machines Hydrauliques (LAMH). This is a special center where scientists research hydraulic turbines.
In 2007, Claire created the Consortium en machines hydrauliques. This group brings together universities and companies like Hydro-Québec and Natural Resources Canada. They work together to research powerful hydraulic turbines.
Claire and the Consortium have received money from companies and the government. This money helps them buy equipment and do important research. For example, they use computer programs to see how water flows inside turbines. They also study what makes turbines last longer. Claire's discoveries have helped us understand turbines and how to make electricity from water better.
Helping Women in Science
From 1997 to 2006, Claire Deschênes held a special position at Université Laval. She was the NSERC-Alcan International Limited Chair for Women in Science and Engineering. This role focused on supporting women in these fields.
She also helped start three non-profit groups. These groups encourage and support women in science and engineering. They are:
- The International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES)
- The Association de la francophonie à propos des femmes en sciences, technologies, ingénierie et mathématiques (AFFESTIM)
- The INWES Educational and Research Institute (ERI)
Awards and Honors
Claire Deschênes has received many awards for her work. In 2015, she won the NSERC's Synergy Award for Innovation. This award recognized her great teamwork between universities and companies.
She was also named a fellow of Engineers Canada in 2015. She has been honored twice by Le Soleil and Radio-Canada for her work in science and research. In 2016, the University of Ottawa gave her an honorary doctorate. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things.
On June 27, 2019, Claire Deschênes was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. This was for her important work in mechanical engineering and for helping women in science. In 2020, she was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.
On September 21, 2019, she received another honorary doctorate. This one was from the Université de Sherbrooke.
