I am a senior researcher at the École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, which is part of the Université Paris-Saclay. I lead the research theme on ancient and palaeo-inspired materials and teach in the chemistry department. With L. Romary, I. Rouget, A. Thomas and L. de Viguerie, I am the coordinator of the Île-de-France region's key research and innovation sector on Tangible Heritage, which brings together 135 laboratories and institutions. Since 2021, I coordinate the Atoms for Heritage Collaborating Centre of the International Atomic Energy Agency with S. Nomade and S. David.

My group's research focuses on the study of the multiscale physico-chemical properties of ancient materials, using innovative full-field and scanning micro-imaging methods that we develop. I study long-term ageing processes and the exceptional preservation of biological remains and archaeological materials, manufacturing techniques used in the past, and the origin of materials used to make archaeological objects. I develop multiscale photonic methodological approaches, particularly using synchrotron methods, in collaboration with instrumentalists and data scientists. My research has been mainly supported by the European Commission, CPER funds, ANR / LabEx and EquipEx funds, regional funds, the American NSF and the Dutch research funding agency NWO.

As a physico-chemist, I have studied studied archaeological, cultural heritage, palaeoenvironmental and paleontological materials at the C2RMF (Paris, 1999-2002), the University of Cambridge (UK, 2002-2003), the Laboratoire de Physique des solides (Orsay, 2004-2005), the SOLEIL synchrotron (2005-2020), IPANEMA (2007-2020) and PPSM (since 2022). I initiated and built the European laboratory for research on ancient materials IPANEMA and have been its director from 2010 to 2019. I have coordinated France's participation in the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) from 2015 to 2022, and have been the scientific director of E-RIHS during its preparatory phase.

Main research interests

Physico-chemistry of the long-term alteration and exceptional preservation of biological remains in archaeological and palaeontological contexts (micro-taphonomy of soft and hard tissues, textiles, hair)
Development of spectral imaging approaches for ancient materials based on synchrotron and photonic methods (X-ray absorption, X-ray Raman, X-ray fluorescence, UV/vis photoluminescence, X-ray microtomography)
Study of photo-induced molecular effects on complex ancient materials and mathematical approaches for safer conditions of analysis
Development of materials and processes inspired by ancient materials (paleo-inspiration)
Advanced study of artists' materials (pigments, semiconducting phases, varnishes)
Interdisciplinary methodologies and innovation in heritage sciences