About me
I am a French PhD student at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Université de Bourgogne (Dijon) since October 2014 (supervisors: B. Danis & T. Saucède).
My researches will focus on the diversity on connectivity of sea stars in the Southern Ocean. Biogeography and phylogeography will be the main domains used for that project.
I am a Postdoctoral fellow of the Marine Biology Lab at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) where I received my PhD in 2019.
My research focuses mainly on the diversity and distribution of sea stars (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) at all depths, from intertidal to hadal.
The current project aims at improving our understanding of the origin and structure of deep-sea sea star diversity, phylogeography and evolution. To achieve these objectives, molecular and morphological approaches will be used at the scale of the entire world. Using classical taxonomic approach, genetics and genomics, I expect to discuss hypotheses that have been perpetuated regarding evolutionary history and biogeography of deep-sea benthos (e.g. uniformity; numerous speciation events) but still lack strong support or are being challenged.
I also developed an extensive expertise on the field by taking part to several research voyages to explore deep marine benthos around the world (Antarctica, Aleutian Trench, South Atlantic Islands, Cocos and Keeling Islands). I recently joined two expeditions to the Western Antarctic Peninsula (Belgica121 and TANGO) to test the concept of using a low-environmental impact platform to carry out marine biodiversity census in the Southern Ocean. I also led several shore-based fieldworks in Patagonia with our collaborators from the Universidad of Magallanes (Punta Arenas) and Universidad de Chile (Santiago) in Chile.
I am a certified Belgian Scientific Diver, allowing me to take part to SCUBA diving activities for sampling and documentation (underwater photography) of biodiversity in shallow waters.
months as a benthic biodiversity assistant which included cruises in Antarctica and South Atlantic.
Projects
Position
PhD student (FRIA grant)
Expertise
- Polar biogeography
- Phylogeography
Publications
More…
Take a look at my LinkedIn Profile