Greater Paris Metropolitan Region
I am an R&D researcher at a high-throughput sequencing platform. My past research in forensic genetics, population genetics and paleogenomics provided me with expertise in molecular biology techniques including PCR, next-generation sequencing and target enrichment methods, as well as developing my bioinformatics, research project management and problem solving skills.
At the Development Lab, our mission is to evaluate novel technologies in genomics and implement them in the French National Center of Human Genomics Research (CNRGH). With my team, we use 3rd generation sequencing technologies (PacBio and Oxford Nanopore), single cell transcriptomics (10X Genomics), and other technologies. We contribute to diverse research projects, including human whole genome long read sequencing, pathogen surveillance, forensic genetics, STR typing, and others.
I was responsible for the optimization and development on our high-throughput sequencing platform (L2PGH) at the French National Center of Human Genomics Research (CNRGH), including all steps from library prep and target enrichment to NGS sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. I optimized and validated the transfer of our major sequencing applications from HiSeq to NovaSeq 6000, incl. whole genome and whole exome sequencing, and RNAseq. Besides human genomics, I was in charge of a pilot project for NGS sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome.
I designed a target enrichment array to identify human genetic adaptations related to diet and disease by capturing candidate SNPs from ancient human DNA (in a large-scale collaborative study of skeletal remains from the British Isles spanning the last 10,000 years). I managed the ancient DNA laboratory facilities, which involved training junior researchers in molecular biology techniques (including DNA extraction, real-time PCR quantification, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, building multiplex Illumina libraries and next-generation sequencing, target enrichment, and bioinformatic analyses), health&safety compliance, liaising with contractors, and procurement. I also completed a pilot study of archaeological plant material from Cambodia. I contributed to a cross-disciplinary study between Genetics and History of Science involving ancient DNA analysis of the remains of Jeremy Bentham, the spiritual founder of UCL. I supervised an undergraduate dissertation research project on detecting selection and genetic adaptations to infectious disease. I contributed to writing various grant applications. I co-organised a conference symposium on detecting natural selection using ancient DNA.
I designed and supervised MSc practicals in Forensic genetics and ancient DNA. The practicals covered low-copy DNA extraction, PCR amplification, RFLP analysis, and gel-electrophoresis.
My thesis “Human dispersals to Tierra del Fuego revealed by ancient mitochondrial DNA“ was a population-wide study of an extinct human population from South America. During my paleogenomics research, I mastered various molecular biology techniques, such as DNA extraction, real-time PCR quantification, BioAnalyzer quantification, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, building multiplex Illumina libraries, target enrichment using capture array, and next-generation sequencing. I carried out bioinformatic processing of next-generation sequencing data, population genetic analyses, and phylogenetic reconstruction. Besides the core research, I succeeded in multiple grant applications, seeking sampling permits and sampling my specimens from museum collections. I acquired considerable experience in research project management, writing reports, and presenting my results to scientific audiences. I co-supervised a MSc research project in ancient paleogenomics.
I optimized forensic genetic analyses of low-copy-number DNA specimens obtained by laser microdissection. I learned various molecular biology techniques including fluorescence microscopy, DNA extraction, DNA quantification, PCR amplification, capillary electrophoresis, and statistical evaluation of STR profiles. My resulting MSc dissertation was titled "Laser microdissection: genetic analysis of sexual abuse evidence". Furthermore, I supervised junior interns working with laser microdissection, assisted with DNA analysis of skeletal remains, and collaborated with Department of Cell Biology (Charles University in Prague) on use of laser microdissection in developmental biology.