Gaétan Laroche is a professor of materials engineering, internationally recognized for his work on the surface modification of materials using plasmas at atmospheric pressure. D. in chemistry from Université Laval, he applies his knowledge to establish correlations between the electrical and energetic characteristics of plasmas and the resulting modifications to the surface of materials treated in these highly reactive environments. This understanding is used to develop strategies for the surface modification of vascular and orthopedic biomaterials to improve their biocompatibility.