Epigenetics is the field of research that studies the molecular mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, that orchestrate the way genes are expressed. This overlay of information, reversible and transmissible during development and sometimes between generations, is influenced by the environment and can thus alter the phenotype of animals and plants in a dynamic and lasting way. In this context, I study how epigenetic mechanisms can adapt the phenotype of individuals to their environment by developing phenotype programming approaches (e.g. via early thermal stimulation).

I joined the IJPB in 2025 to explore the contribution of inter-individual epigenetic variability to environmental response. Indeed, high inter-individual variability in DNA methylation levels has been observed in a fraction of the genome, and this could contribute to phenotypic plasticity. In order to study the existence and function of epivariable regions in plants, I am developing multi-omics approaches (ONT methylome, transcriptome, Hi-C...) on tomato and Arabidopsis models in relation to various abiotic stimuli applied during early development.

The goal of this work is to identify epivariations likely to favor plant adaptation to their environment, enabling the development of phenotype programming strategies that take into account the epigenetic properties specific to each genotype, favoring the match between varieties and cultivation practices in a context of climate change.

Link to CV-hal (list of publications)

Short bio:
2025 - present: Research Fellow INRAE (CRCN), Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, Versailles (78).
2021 - 2025: Research Fellow INRAE (CRCN), UMR Nutrition, Métabolisme, Aquaculture (NuMéA), Aquapôle de Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (64). Nutrition and epigenome in rainbow trout.
2012 - 2021: Research Fellow INRAE (CRCN), UMR Biologie des Oiseaux et Aviculture, INRAE Nouzilly (37). Epigenetics and metabolic plasticity in birds.
2010 - 2012: Post-doctoral fellow, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, Versailles (78). Epigenetics and natural variability in Arabidopsis.
2006 - 2010: Post-doctoral fellow, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Linking molecular biology and natural variation to gain insights into Arabidopsis adaptation.
2002 - 2006: PhD student, École Normale Supérieure, LBMC (Lyon, 69). Functional study of Heterochromatin Protein 1 during post-embryonic development in C. elegans.