Prof. Lyesse Laloui Awarded 2026 Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lecture

The Laboratory of Soil Mechanics (LMS) at EPFL is proud to announce that its director, Professor Lyesse Laloui, has been named the 2026 Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lecturer by the International Society for Porous Media (InterPore). Sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a global leader in health and hygiene solutions, the award recognizes researchers whose work has significantly advanced the understanding and application of porous media.

This distinction highlights Prof. Laloui’s pioneering contributions in the fields of geomechanics, CO₂ sequestration, and bio-geochemical engineering, and provides a platform to share insights with academic, industrial, and public audiences worldwide.

“In science, discovery alone is not enough—what we communicate, and how clearly we communicate it, shapes the impact of our work,” said Prof. Laloui. “This lectureship is a unique opportunity to engage diverse audiences around the science of porous media and the role it plays in building a more sustainable future.”

Lecture Topics

Prof. Laloui will offer two distinct lectures during his tenure:

1. Tailoring Soil Properties Through Bio-Geo-Chemical Engineering
   This talk explores Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) as a sustainable alternative to traditional soil improvement. Attendees will gain insight into the bio-chemo-hydro-mechanical interactions underlying this technique and its implications for ground stability and hazard mitigation.
2. Carbon Dioxide Injection into Deep Aquifers: A Geomechanical Perspective
   Addressing the complex mechanics of geological CO₂ storage, this lecture discusses the interactions between fluid flow, caprock integrity, and long-term storage security—critical for the safe and scalable deployment of carbon capture technologies.

About the Lectureship

The Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lectureship, awarded annually by InterPore, honors scientific excellence in porous media research. The lectureship promotes knowledge exchange across borders and disciplines, fostering discussion on how porous materials—central to fields such as filtration, tissue engineering, energy storage, and environmental protection—can address global challenges.

Kimberly-Clark’s sponsorship of the lectureship reflects the company’s interest in advancing fundamental understanding of porous materials, which are vital to many of its own innovations.

Requesting a Lecture

Institutions interested in hosting Prof. Laloui for a lecture in 2026 can submit a request through the InterPore website. For detailed information on the topics and lecture series, see the official flyer.