After completing a 17-month apprenticeship within the LAGE team, where I worked on the genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Pocillopora and Millepora corals as part of the Tara Pacific project, I developed a strong interest in marine holobionts and coral adaptation mechanisms under global change.
I am now pursuing this scientific path through my PhD, which focuses on understanding the acclimatization and resilience mechanisms of the fire coral Millepora platyphylla across the Pacific Ocean. This project relies on genomic and transcriptomic data generated during the Tara Pacific expedition and aims to investigate:
- Gene expression patterns in Millepora platyphylla and its symbionts (Cladocopium, Symbiodinium) across contrasting environments.
- Responses to thermal stress, which will be assessed during the next Tara expedition (Tara Coral 2026–2027);
- the role of the microbiome in holobiont acclimatization and stress tolerance.
By combining in silico analyses with experimental approaches, this PhD project seeks to identify the key factors that contribute to the remarkable resilience of Millepora platyphylla, ultimately improving our understanding of coral adaptive capacities and supporting reef conservation efforts.
PhD supervisors : Quentin Carradec and Emilie Boissin