A portrait of our newly minted IMCBio PhD researchers
After two stimulating rounds of PhD applicant interviews in the late Spring – early Summer, we are welcoming in Strasbourg the new IMCBio PhD students. Eleven young researchers are starting their PhD within the IMCBio program this year.
We will present in this section brief biographies of these new IMCBio colleagues. Make sure to keep an eye on our news posts!
Louise Couturier – Stéphane Vincent’s team, IGBMC
Louise Couturier comes from a city near Paris where she grew up and completed her studies up to the end of her bachelor’s degree.
She first studied biology and chemistry at Université Paris-Saclay, where she discovered the thrill of research through two internships, and particularly one in developmental biology.
These experiences motivated she to move to Strasbourg to join the Molecular Genetics of Development and Stem Cells master’s program to strengthen her skills in developmental biology and scientific research.
“During my master, she says, I had the opportunity to meet Stéphane Vincent, who offered me the chance to join his lab for my second-year internship to work on a topic that truly fascinates me: oogenesis and early embryogenesis.”
She was now fortunate to pursue my PhD in the same lab under the supervision of Stéphane Vincent, working on the transition in the RNA polymerase II machinery during oocyte growth and early embryogenesis.
Besides science, one of her hobbies is reading, which she particularly enjoys doing during her tram rides to Illkirch [where the Stéphane Vincent’s team is located, editor’s note].
She adds “I chose to join the IMCBio PhD program because it offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and collaborative scientific community. I believe the program provides high-quality training and strong support for the development of young researchers, which will be highly beneficial for my growth as a scientist”.
Estelle Giunta – Christelle Golzio’s team, IGBMC
Estelle Giunta comes from Arles, in the south of France. She began her bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences in Montpellier for the two first years before moving to Umeå in Sweden for a year of ERASMUS+ exchange.
She explains “This experience definitely shaped me, personally and academically, by allowing me to integrate in a true multicultural environment. I also had the chance to do an internship there”.
She then returned to France to join the Biotechnologies Master’s program of Toulouse, “BSM2T: Biomolecular Sciences – Mechanism and Therapeutics Targets”.
Estelle has always been strongly interested in contributing to translational medicine and therapeutics mechanisms.
“I had the chance to study ribosome biogenesis during
my Master 1 internship, she adds, but for my M2 internship, I broadened my horizon to the IGBMC and joined Christelle Golzio’s lab, in which I pursue my IMCBio-PhD now !”
Her project aims to model autism using IPSc-derived neurons and cerebral organoids, focusing on the copy number-variation of the human 1q21.1 locus and its impact at the molecular and cellular levels.
She concludes “I chose the IMCBio program for its unique environment, which fosters international relations and offers opportunities for scientific growth, both technically as personally. I am excited to contribute to advancing our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, and to actively participate in this stimulating scientific environment.”
