Dr. Alexandre Girouard to receive the 2026 Cathleen Synge Morawetz Prize

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Alexandre Girouard (Université Laval) has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Cathleen Synge Morawetz Prize. The subject area for this year’s prize is analysis and dynamical systems. Dr. Girouard is being recognized for his outstanding research contributions and his work’s lasting impact on the field.

Dr. Alexandre Girouard is a Full Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Université Laval, where he has been a faculty member since 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the Université de Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Iosif Polterovich and Dr. Marlène Frigon, following earlier studies at the University of British Columbia and the Université de Montréal. Prior to joining Université Laval, he held academic positions at the Université de Neuchâtel in Switzerland, the Université de Savoie in France, and Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Girouard’s research lies at the intersection of spectral geometry, geometric analysis, and partial differential equations. His work focuses on eigenvalues of Laplace-type and Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators, with particular attention to isoperimetric inequalities and shape optimization problems on manifolds. In a series of papers published in 2021, he and his collaborators introduced homogenization methods as a new and effective approach to questions in spectral geometry. This work led to the resolution of Weinstock’s isoperimetric problem for Steklov eigenvalues, a classical question that had remained open for decades.

These results have had a significant impact beyond the original problem. Dr. Girouard’s methods have produced sharp upper bounds for Steklov eigenvalues, clarified connections between Steklov and Laplace spectra through conformal geometry, and reshaped current understanding of eigenvalue optimization in higher dimensions. His work has also influenced research in related areas, including the theory of free boundary minimal surfaces.

“Professor Alexandre Girouard’s pioneering work in the use of homogenization theory for spectral geometry bears all the characteristics – mathematical creativity, the bridging of disparate fields, and high originality – that this prize is intended to celebrate.”

Dr. Girouard has published extensively in leading international journals such as Inventiones Mathematicae, Geometric and Functional Analysis, the Journal of Differential Geometry, the Journal of Functional Analysis, the Canadian Journal of Mathematics, and the Canadian Mathematical Bulletin. In recognition of his research contributions, he was awarded the Prix Lumière – Nature et technologies by Université Laval in 2025.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Girouard has played an active role in the mathematical community in Canada and internationally. He has served in a number of leadership and service positions, including Deputy Director for scientific programs and publications at the Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM), Vice-President of the Association mathématique du Québec (AMQ), and Director (Québec) on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mathematical Society. He has also been involved in organizing numerous conferences, workshops, and research programs in spectral geometry and geometric analysis. For instance, he was a Scientific Director for the 2025 CMS Summer Meeting in Québec, QC. 

The Canadian Mathematical Society congratulates Dr. Girouard on this well-deserved honour.

About the Cathleen Synge Morawetz Prize
The Cathleen Synge Morawetz Prize was established in 2020 in honour of Cathleen Synge Morawetz (1923-2017), to reflect the remarkable breadth and influence of her research achievements in pure and applied mathematics. First awarded in 2021, this prize recognizes an author (or authors) of an outstanding research publication.

For more information, visit the Cathleen Synge Morawetz Prize page.

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)
The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is the main national organization whose goal is to promote and advance the discovery, learning and application of mathematics. The Society’s activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics competitions that recognize outstanding student achievements. The CMS is a registered non-profit, charitable organization and depends on grants, funding, and generous donations from sponsors, benefactors and community members to be able to carry out its activities.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Susan Cooper (uManitoba) Chair, CMS Research Committee Canadian Mathematical Society chair-resc@cms.math.ca

or

Dr. Termeh Kousha Executive Director Canadian Mathematical Society tkousha@cms.math.ca