Dr. Charlotte Simmler PI of the SESAM program. CNRS research scientist (CR CNRS) natural product chemist/ pharmacognost, interested in exploring and describing the chemical diversity contributing to biodiversity.
I am convinced that increasing our knowledge and understanding on the functioning of ecosystems, notably through the production, release and/or exchange of ”specialized” metabolites can inspire the discovery of new drugs.
Dr. Pierre Chevaldonné, Senior CNRS research scientist (DR CNRS) and professional SCUBA diver, specialized in the field study of animal communities living in extreme marine habitats: underwater caves, deep-sea canyons, Antarctic ice-caves… Describing the explored communities in a naturalistic way, with an integrative approach combining ecology, morphological systematics and the use of DNA sequences.
I am mostly interested in invertebrates such as crustaceans and sponges and their interactions.
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Dr. Thierry Pérez, Senior CNRS research scientist (DR CNRS) marine biologist, professional SCUBA diver. As sponge specialist, I regularly describe new taxa for science, carry out biodiversity inventories by exploring underwater caves in particular, and study all aspects of their biology and ecology.
You can also check this webpage for more information. Stay tuned!
Dr. Alexander Ereskovsky, Senior CNRS research scientist (DR CNRS) and professional SCUBA diver.
I am an invertebrate embryologist/cytologist, interested in different aspects of sponge ontogenesis (gametogenesis, embryonic development, larvae, metamorphosis, asexual reproduction) as well as sponge regeneration.
Dr. Béatrice Baghdikian, associate professor at the college of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University. SESAM collaborator. I am a pharmacognost specialized in phytochemistry and natural product chemisty in general.
My research activities focus on the valorization of bioactive molecules from medicinal plants and traditional herbal remedies, combining approaches in ethnopharmacology & chemical ecology.
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Dr. César Ruiz Pinzon, Post-doctoral Associate. I am a marine biologist with professional experience in biodiversity, taxonomy and systematics of benthic organisms. My experience in field work is complemented by the practice of several key laboratory techniques such as cytology, molecular biology and metabolomics.
I am currently interested in the relationships between animals (sponges are my favorite!) and microorganisms, combining next-generation sequencing technologies, bioinformatic tools and field observations.
Flore Corallo, PhD student. I am interested in functional ecology at different scales: from the biology of marine holobionts to studying the impacts of chemical mediation. The objectives of my PhD project are to assess the cellular origin of secondary metabolites in sponge holobionts focusing on their specialized cells (e.g. spherulous cells) and their bacterial community (co-direction Drs. T. Pérez, C. Simmler, and C. Ruiz Pinzon).
Particularly aware of the multiple challenges that weigh on the health of ocean ecosystems, I am convinced that addressing these challenges will require the implementation of in-depth studies, at different scales.
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Marie Derrien, PhD student in Marine Chemical Ecology. Mindful to the effects of current global changes on marine ecosystems, I have focused my training on understanding these phenomena. Interested in chemical communication in marine fields, my PhD project intends to enlighten the role of secondary metabolites released by sponges as chemical cues in marine ecosystems (co-directed by Drs. P. Chevaldonné and T. Pérez).
Morgane Mauduit, PhD student. Chemist engineer, passionate about multi-disciplinary researches, my PhD project is dedicated to the chemical investigations of sponge metabolites released in seawater (co-directed by Drs. T. Pérez and C. Simmler). Motivated by the valorization of marine natural products to fight multi-drug resistant bacteria and emerging diseases.
I enjoy participating in outreach scientific activities for the young generation.
Dr. Stéphane Greff, SESAM collaborator, AMU chemical Engineer in the Chemical Ecology and Metabolomics Facility.
I am an analytical chemist interested in the use of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry metabolomics to study terrestrial and marine chemical biodiversity. My research activities focus on the identification of specialized metabolites, their production and release in the environment to better apprehend their role in ecosystem functioning.
Sacha Molinari, SESAM collaborator, CNRS technician in the Chemical Ecology and Metabolomics Joint Facility.
I help with sponge sampling as boat driver, sample preparation in our laboratory, I help students in their experiments when needed and contribute to maintain marine specimen in aquarium for their experiments.
