Why did you choose to become a scientist?
It all began in my childhood along the tides of Brittany. I remember I would spend hours exploring the salt marshes looking for any animals. I was amazed by the diversity of organisms living there. I wanted to know their names, their habits, and how they interact with each other and with their environment. These early experiences initiated a real passion for the natural world and set me on the path toward a career in science.
What is your scientific background?
I first pursued a bachelor’s degree at Sorbonne University in France, where I learned about the basics of life sciences in general. During my final year, I studied abroad at Dalhousie University in Canada to follow my childhood dream of becoming specialized in marine ecology. Then, I completed a Master’s degree in Systematics and Ecology at the French National Museum of Natural History in France, where I learned about the diversity of life, their evolution, and their adaptation to the environment. This is when I met my first supervisor, whose work on benthic invertebrates from Antarctica inspired me to specialize in polar ecosystems and explore the resilience of life in these extreme conditions. Then, I decided to pursue a second M.Sc. in Marine Ecology at Pascal Paoli University in Corsica, where I deepened my understanding of marine ecosystems and learned about conservation management. The combination of these two master’s degrees taught me how to apply fundamental sciences to applied aspects of conservation, preparing me to tackle real-world challenges facing marine ecosystems.
Which topic are you working on at the moment?
Now, as a PhD student at the Natural Resources Science department of McGill University, my research focuses on a fish species crucial to the Arctic Ocean: the Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida). This fish plays a central role in energy transfer within the Arctic food web, and as such holds significant ecological importance. My research uses cutting-edge genomic tools to assess how Arctic cod populations are connected across the entire Arctic Ocean, how they are adapted to their specific environment, and how they might respond to environmental changes. All of these questions are fundamental to implementing efficient conservation strategies in the future.
Besides your scientific interests, what are your personal interests?
Outside of the lab, I am a nature enthusiast. Spending time outdoors helps me disconnect after long hours spent in front of my computer. I particularly love to hike and scuba dive. I’m also a devoted pet parent, and when it’s too cold outside, I enjoy cuddling with my cat on the couch. Being close to animals has always had a soothing effect on me.
In your opinion what is the most difficult part of being a scientist ?
Being a PhD student is a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days, when my experiments work or when I finally solve an issue I’ve been working on for months, I feel good and proud of myself. Other days, imposter syndrome hits hard, and I question if I’m good enough to be in this field or if I even belong in academia. Those feelings can sometimes be overwhelming, but in the end, I remember how glad I am to work on a subject that truly matters to me.
Why is it important for you to share your scientific discoveries with a broader audience ?
As much as I love my research, I often wonder: Will my findings truly be useful for conservation? Will it really have an impact in the real world outside of academia?
I’ve come to the conclusion that science is meant to be shared with a broad audience so it can reach it’s full potential. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career have been opportunities to share my work with non-scientists. Through my participation in Soapbox Science talks or beach clean-up actions, I was really happy to see how engaged people can be in protecting marine environments and how eager they were to learn more from specialists. It’s also deeply rewarding to know that by sharing my work, I can encourage younger people, especially women, to become the next generation of marine scientists.