Two Winners Recognized for Excellence in Materials Mechanics
Awarded jointly by Mines Paris – PSL and École Polytechnique, the Jean Mandel Prize is presented every two years to honor major scientific contributions in solid and materials mechanics.
For the 2025 edition, the jury recognized two researchers whose work addresses fundamental and applied issues at the heart of contemporary industrial and scientific challenges.
Claire Lestringant is recognized for her theoretical and numerical work on dimensional reduction, asymptotic homogenization, and cracking in granular materials. Her research is distinguished in particular by the depth and rigor of her analyses on dimensional reduction in slender structures, asymptotic homogenization correctors, and cracking mechanisms in granular materials.
Léo Morin is recognized for his research in the nonlinear mechanics of heterogeneous materials, combining theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches. His work contributes to the detailed analysis of mechanical behavior in contexts where material properties vary across different scales.
A joint award ceremony between Versailles-Satory and Metz
The award ceremony took place on February 12, 2026 at the Versailles-Satory campus of Mines Paris – PSL. On this occasion, Claire Lestringant presented a talk titled: “Two-scale variational models in elasticity,” illustrating her research.
The ceremony was attended by Godefroy Beauvallet, Director of Mines Paris – PSL, Paolo Stringari, Andrei Constantinescu, and Jérôme Crépin, alongside numerous colleagues from the Institut Jean le Rond d’Alembert, the Laboratoire de Mécanique des Solides, and the Centre des Matériaux.
Léo Morin, for his part, received his award in Metz on August 28, 2025, during the 2025 French Congress of Mechanics, where he also presented his work to his peers.
The Jean Mandel Prize: A Foundational Scientific Legacy
Created in 1982 in honor of Jean Mandel, a leading figure in materials mechanics, the prize recognizes researchers under the age of 40 for original work, whether theoretical, experimental, or applied.
With a prize of 8,000 euros, it highlights contributions that have a significant impact on strategic sectors such as energy, transportation, and construction. It is part of a tradition of scientific excellence, promoting approaches that integrate mathematics, physics, numerical simulation, and experimentation.
Since its inception, the prize has honored numerous researchers whose work has left a lasting mark on the discipline, contributing to the international reputation of French research in mechanics.
A platform for visibility for young researchers
The Jean Mandel Prize is now a major milestone in the scientific careers of young researchers. It helps shape the academic community and encourages high-impact research closely linked to industrial and societal challenges.
The 2025 edition confirms the vitality and diversity of approaches in materials mechanics, driven by a new generation of scientists committed to exploring complex and strategic issues.
View the complete list of laureates to discover their work and contributions.
Discover
