April 2026 – First-year Honours Health Science student Sophie Iny earned the Premier Prix Hydro-Québec for best overall project at the Super Expo-Science Provincial Final last weekend.

Sophie’s research focuses on Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 27B, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, a topic she chose for deeply personal reasons. In her acceptance remarks, she shared that her grandfather has been diagnosed with the condition and expressed her hope that more research will be conducted on rare neurological disorders. She said the project is also a way to honour him.

She will advance to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, Alberta, from May 23 to 30, 2026, as one of ten students representing Quebec. The award also includes a $1,500 prize and a trip for two to James Bay.

Sophie has already begun extending this research in a project with a professor at McGill, an opportunity made possible by Marianopolis faculty mentors.

Congratulations to Sophie on this well-deserved recognition, and all the best at the Canada-Wide Science Fair and in her future research.