Student Projects

Insects possess efficient mechanisms for detecting and neutralizing microbial infection. The use of Drosophila genetics for deciphering these mechanisms has generated insights into insect immunity and uncovered similarities with the mammalian innate immune responses. Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of microbial infection and corresponding host defense responses in Drosophila using genetic and genomic approaches. Using the novel CRISPR technology, we are currently generating many deletions in potential immunity related genes. Students will generate mutations and analyse their function using state-of-the-art genetic tools. The goal is to decipher, step by step, the organization of the Drosophila immune system including recognition, signalling and effectors. This research impacts vertebrate immunology and insect immunology fields.

 

Bachelor and Master on Drosophila immunity projects provide a technical training in genetic, molecular biology, genomic and system genetics.

They all address conceptual questions in their respective fields, and involve work at four levels of integration (whole animal, organs, cells and genes). An asset of the Drosophila model is that it allows acquiring results in a short time frame and the capacity to work independently, providing an excellent training in life science. In addition, Drosophila is a model for insects that have a huge impact of global health (ex. insect vectors of human disease, insect pests of plants, beneficial insects).

 

We are exploring two sets of psychological and sociological factors that are not usually associated with science that could however influence career success in academia. In particular, we aim to better understand how romantic relationships, personality, and thinking styles shape the scientific community and influence career progression in science.

Among the many studies analyzing factors contributing to scientific success, romantic relationships are rarely considered. Yet observations show that scientists tend to form homogamous relationships, which are especially common among high-achieving scientists. We previously observed that homogamy contributes to career success, most notably for mothers. Our first objective is to identify the crucial factors in romantic relationships that specifically contribute to success. Moreover, we will characterize the factors that favor the formation of collaborative couples and decipher how homogamy affects satisfaction in romantic relationships.

Our study will have a large impact on the community, considering the prevalence of homogamy among academics. The findings of this study have implications beyond academia, as homogamy is also common in other professions, where visibility and passion are essential, such as the arts, politics, and sports.

Lastly, we will investigate the relationship between personality types and success in science. We will explore whether personality traits can predict scientific achievement and try to identify specific traits that are associated with eminence. We will explore whether there are differences in personality types of scientists working in different fields, and whether additional factors such as divergent and convergent thinking and other cognitive styles influence career success.

In this project, we will use validated tools and measures to assess personality and cognitive traits and launch large-scale surveys as well as semi-structured interviews to gather and analyze data. By bringing together experts in social and psychological research with scientists working in experimental life science laboratories, we hope to generate a rich data set that will have a significant impact on the growing field of metascience. Our project has the potential to provide critical insights into implicit factors that drive the emergence and success of leaders, and thus has significant implications for the scientific community and beyond.

 

Students will use quantitative tools to develop their own project in the field of personality and evolutionary psychology.