- Marine Ecosystems and oRganisms reSEArch Lab
Research (Section 67): Ecologist and Biologist at the MERSEA lab, I specialize in the biodiversity of benthic species living in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. My area of expertise focuses on organism/sediment interactions in coastal and estuarine ecosystems in Normandy. I particularly study ecosystem engineer species, bioturbation by fauna, and biostabilization by benthic microalgae biofilms (EPS) controlling sediment erosion.
My current research focuses on functional ecology and modeling of benthic macrofauna communities in estuarine zones, as well as their population dynamics. I study the impact of their activities on sedimentary transport and biogeochemical cycles to better understand and predict the evolution of their ecological niches within the context of climate warming.
My current projects are focused on the assessment and modeling of organism/sediment interactions through in situ observations, experimental approaches, and modeling of hydrosedimentary transport (MARS3D, CROCO). I particularly study the role of bioturbation by fauna and biostabilization exerted by microphytobenthos. Over the last 5 years, I have coordinated 3 national projects, all related to this theme in the Seine estuary.
Bachelor Universitaire de Technologie Génie Biologie (University Bachelor of Technology in Biological Engineering) (1st, 2nd, and 3rd year): Core curriculum (112 students) and Environmental Sciences and Ecotechnologies pathway (28 students): Service hours completed: 338h in 2021/2022, 429h in 2022/2023, 417h in 2023/2024, 357h in 2024/2025, and 180.5h in 2025/2026.
Research Leave and Thematic Conversion: ½ service in the 2nd semester in 2025/2026 (96 hours of due service).
Master 1: Marine Sciences (30 students): Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology Module (10h Lecture/Tutorial since 2024). Applied project in M2 Marine Science in 2025.
Head of the Biological Engineering Department at IUT de Caen (2019-2023) and Director of Studies for the pathway (Environmental Science and Ecotechnology of the University Bachelor of Technology in the 3rd year). I teach functional ecology, population biology, biostatistics, and animal and plant biology there.
My current projects are focused on the assessment and modeling of organism/sediment interactions through in situ observations, experimental approaches, and hydrosedimentary transport modeling (MARS3D, CROCO). I particularly study the role of bioturbation by fauna and biostabilization exerted by microphytobenthos. Over the last 5 years, I have coordinated 3 national projects, all related to this theme in the Seine estuary.
2023–2026: Coordinator of the GIP SA 7 EVEREST project (Ecological functioning of mudflats upstream of Tancarville);
2020–2023: Coordinator of the national project (OFB) Melting-Pot: Modeling the Long-Term Evolution of marine ECOsystem ENGineers in response to climate change and sedimentary Transport in the Seine Estuary
2017–2020: UNICAEN Coordinator of the INTERREG Atlantic Area COCKLES Project. CO-operation for restoring Cockle Shellfisheries and its Ecosystem Services in the Atlantic Area (AA).
2017–2021: National Coordinator of the GIP Seine Aval 6 PHARE-SEE Project: Microphytobenthic Productivity of Intertidal Habitats in relation to sedimentary, biogeochemical dynamics and benthic faunal ecosystem engineers: implication for modeling and Rehabilitation issues of the Seine Estuary mudflats
2014–2017: National Coordinator of the GIP Seine Aval 5 BARBES Project. Biological Association in Relation with sediment transport: Development of a new model of Bioturbation caused by ecosystem Engineers in Seine estuary.
2012–2016 UNICAEN Coordinator of the ANR (Agrobiosphère) project. GIGASSAT Adaptation of oyster farming to global change.
2012–2013: Coordinator of the regional GECO-GECO project: Management of shellfish ecosystems to guide the Exploitation of Cockles.
2007–2011: Scientific Lead for WP2 (Benthos/Pelagos coupling) of the ANR Blanc VASIREMI project – Trophic significance of microbial biofilms in tidal flats.
Doctoral Theses: Margot de Crignis (2007–2010) 50%; Martin Ubertini (2009–2012) 50%; Christiane Rakotomalala 50% (2012–2016); Charles Vanhuysse 100% (2016–2019); Amélie Lehuen 100% (2020–2023); Léa Deflandre (2025–2028).
Post-Doctoral Researchers: Eri Takahashi 100% (2007), Christiane Rakotomalala 50% (2018–2019), Jérôme Morelle 100% (2019), Annabelle Dairain 100% (2019), Amélie Lehuen (2024–2025)
Elected Member of the National Council of Universities (Conseil National des Universités) 2008–2023; Elected Member of the Institute Council of IUT Grand Ouest Normandie in 2019; Elected Member of the Scientific Council of my laboratory BOREA in 2019 and MERSEA in 2024. IUT Representative on the Administrative and Scientific Council of the marine station (CREC) of the University of Caen.