I joined INRAE in 1983 and received my Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USAU.S. in 1988. Trained in microbial ecology, I developed intestinal metagenomics for diagnostic applications and the exploration of food-microbiota-host interactions. My overall aim has been to contribute to a better understanding of the symbiosis between humans and microbes to improve prevention and treatment.

With more than 250 publications (H-index of 90), I received LABIP’s International Science Award in 2008 ; the Simone and Cino del Duca Foundation’s Grand Prize in Science (along with S.D. Ehrlich) In 2014, the Dupont Nutrition & Health Science Medal for Excellence in Microbial Research in 2016 ; the prize Benjamin Delessert and Charles Donovan Microbiome Award in 2024.

I am scientific coordinator of the project https://lefrenchgut.fr. Cofounder and scientific advisor of MaaT Pharma, Novobiome and GMT ; and co-coordinator of the digital platform https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com.