The appointment marks the first time since the Society's inception 35 years ago that the presidency has been conferred upon an engineer. "This shows the close connection between life sciences & engineering and medical personnel," says Professor Aubin, who over the last few years has focused on improving the treatment of musculoskeletal deformities of the spine by developing computer tools, simulation models and minimally invasive, computer-assisted corrective surgery techniques.

The appointment was announced at the 35th congress of the Québec Scoliosis Society. Two Polytechnique students whose work is supervised by Professor Aubin were also honoured during the conference.

Kajsa Duke, who completed her PhD in biomedical engineering under the joint supervision of Professors Jean Dansereau and Carl-Éric Aubin and who is presently completing postdoctoral training in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the Pierre H. Labelle prize for best clinical research communication for her presentation titled "Nouveau système de positionnement pour les chirurgies du rachis par abord postérieur: premiers résultats cliniques."

Anne-Marie Huynh, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering under the joint supervision of Professor Aubin and Dr. Hubert Labelle, won the R. Simoneau prize for second-best fundamental research communication for her presentation titled "Développement des déformations rachidiennes dans la dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne suite à un traitement avec déflazacort."

The Société de la Scoliose du Québec/Québec Scoliosis Society is a non-profit organization whose objectives are to unite orthopedic surgeons and other professionals actively involved in the treatment of scoliosis and other spinal pathologies; to promote scoliosis education, to provide updates and constant criticism on treatments given to scoliosis patients; and to encourage both clinical and basic science research in scoliosis and other related spinal pathologies.

Congratulations to Professor Aubin and the two award recipients!