Dr. Madison Rilling is a clinical medical physicist by trade. She holds a Joint Honours in Math and Physics (McGill University, 2014), a Master’s in Medical Physics (ULaval, 2016) and a PhD in Physics (ULaval, 2020).

Dr. Rilling is currently Executive Director of Optonique, a nonprofit dedicated to the strategic development of Québec’s photonics sector, home to world-leading research facilities and nearly 50% of Canada’s industry of light-based technologies. Working hand in hand with businesses of all sizes, academia and governments, Optonique unites and mobilizes all players in Québec’s photonics sector around the common goals of innovation, growth and competitiveness. In her role, Madison facilitates R&D collaborations, innovation and workforce policy development, science outreach initiatives as well as diplomatic efforts at both the provincial and federal levels. On the international stage, she represents Canada’s photonics sector on The International Society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE)’s Public Policy Committee, as well as on Optica’s Public Affairs Council and its International Photonics Advisory Council.

Dr. Rilling has been a devoted advocate for the next generation of scientists. She served as a student advisor to Québec’s Chief Scientist and sole student board member of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (2016-2019), as well as a member (2020-2023) and mentor (2023-2026) of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor (CSA)’s Youth Council. She is now a proud board member of Let’s Talk Science, a national organization helping youth build the skills they need for their – and Canada's – future success.

Dr. Rilling is recognized as an emerging leader bridging the gap between science and policy. She is a recipient of the prestigious Optica Pivoting Fellowship (2021), awarded to an early-career optical scientist contributing their expertise to the betterment of society. She was a Fellow of Action Canada (2023), the country’s leading incubator of public policy leaders. She was also one of two Canadians among 30 leaders to take part in an immersive science diplomacy program at the United Nations in Geneva (2023). She currently serves on the Council of Canadian Academies’ Scientific Advisory Committee and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies’ Scientific Committee.