L'actualité magazine names Concordia professor among personalities of the year
Concordia’s Karim Zaghib has been named one of Quebec’s Personalities of the Year for 2023 by L'actualité magazine. Awardees are chosen for their determination and impact on Quebec’s society in areas ranging from entrepreneurship, arts and culture, education and politics.
Zaghib was selected for his profound impact in the field of electrochemistry and his pioneering efforts in the realm of eco-conscious battery development, including over 600 co-invented patents and 62 licenses.
Since his arrival at Concordia in 2022, Zaghib has been instrumental in the creation of Volt-age , a world-leading research program dedicated to integrating cutting-edge technologies for carbon-neutral buildings, advanced energy storage, smart grids and the electrification of transportation.
"Karim’s collaborative experience with top-tier researchers and respected industry firms has firmly established him as an academic luminary," says Dominique Bérubé, Concordia’s vice-president of research and graduate studies.
"Since his affiliation with Concordia, he has conceptualized innovative ideas to apply academic research results to industry, propelling Concordia into a prominent position as a hub for cutting-edge knowledge in new battery technologies and societal electrification," she adds.
Before his tenure at Concordia, Zaghib played a pivotal role in shaping research programs across Japan, France and Canada. Notably, he co-founded Esstalion Technologies, a collaborative venture between Sony and Hydro-Québec, dedicated to advancing energy storage systems for power grids.
For Zaghib, the acknowledgment as a Personality of the Year serves as a wellspring of inspiration to pursue his endeavors towards eco-friendly energy storage solutions.
"I am deeply honored to be recognized by L'actualité," he says. "This acknowledgment energizes my commitment to advancing battery technology and electrification, thereby sculptinga future that is not only greener but also more just and sustainable."