The Pierre Laffitte Prize Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary in Sophia Antipolis

Ten Years Dedicated to Research and Innovation

Ten years ago, a second-year doctoral student received a medal from Pierre Laffitte in recognition of the excellence of his research. Since then, the Pierre Laffitte Prize has become a permanent fixture in the academic landscape and is a major event marking the start of the academic year in Sophia Antipolis.

This initiative brings together academic and regional institutions around a shared goal: to highlight the work of young researchers and encourage rigorous, creative, and forward-looking research. Over the years, the award has remained true to the values that have defined it since its inception: kindness, scientific rigor, and the visionary spirit instilled by Pierre Laffitte.

Interdisciplinary Research

For this tenth edition, candidates from Mines Paris – PSL and the Université Côte d’Azur presented their work during scientific pitch sessions. The topics covered a wide range of fields, including computer science, artificial intelligence, quantum communications, energy, materials, and robotics.

Notable projects included local energy forecasting that accounts for demand flexibility, the sustainable recycling of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, the control of autonomous drones, and the use of artificial intelligence for robot-assisted surgery.

These presentations offer a glimpse into the diversity of research conducted in the laboratories and its potential for addressing scientific, technological, and societal challenges.

Explore the program

An anniversary edition marked by two honorary awards

The opening ceremony was attended by Jeanick Brisswalter, president of Université Côte d’Azur; Marc Fossier of the Fondation Mines Paris; and Jean Leonetti, president of the Sophia Antipolis Urban Community (CASA) and mayor of Antibes Juan-les-Pins.

To mark this anniversary, an honorary award was presented to Pierre Montmitonnet, CNRS Researcher Emeritus at CEMEF and recipient of the 2005 CNRS Silver Medal, in recognition of his work in shortlisting candidates over the past ten years.

A trophy was also presented to Jean Leonetti to acknowledge his support and trust in the Pierre Laffitte Prize since its inception.

Results of the Tenth Edition

The 2026 Pierre Laffitte Prize was awarded to three young researchers:

First Prize and the medal

Lou Boulant, for his work titled “Accelerated dissolution of fibrin clots via convective transport induced by self-assembled magnetic microswimmers,” conducted at INPHYNI – Université Côte d’Azur – CNRS. His research explores the use of microscopic structures controlled by a magnetic field to accelerate the dissolution of fibrin clots by promoting the transport of dissolving agents.

Second Prize

Corentin Morin, for his work titled “Quantum Simulation of Lattice Supersolids with Spatially Indirect Excitons,” conducted at CRHEA – Université Côte d’Azur – CNRS. His research focuses on the quantum simulation of so-called “supersolid” states—which combine regular spatial order with superfluid properties—using spatially separated electron-hole pairs known as indirect excitons.

Third Prize

Nathan Lecaron, for his work titled “Solutions and Devices for Quantum Communications,” conducted at INPHYNI – Université Côte d’Azur – CNRS. His research focuses on the development of solutions and devices for transmitting information by exploiting the properties of quantum physics.

A Special Audience Award for the 10th Anniversary

To celebrate this 10th anniversary, Professor Elie Hachem, founder of the Pierre Laffitte Prize, decided to create a special audience award for this edition. Open to all attendees, this vote aims to encourage young researchers and highlight their ability to make their work accessible to as many people as possible. It offers a complementary perspective, independent of the jury’s deliberations.

The public vote selected two co-winners

• Nathan Jourdainne, from CEMEF – Mines Paris – PSL and ICN – Université Côte d’Azur, for his work titled “Designing Sustainable Recycling Pathways for Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics to Enable a Circular Polymer Economy”.

• Alimatou Sadia Anike Memudu, from I3S and IMRA Europe – Université Côte d’Azur, for her work titled “Neuromorphic Low-Energy Object Detection from Ego-motion”.

This tenth edition of the Pierre Laffitte Prize was supported by the Mines Paris Foundation and the Sophia Antipolis Foundation, the prize’s sponsor. Their commitment helps keep this initiative alive and highlights the research work of young researchers.