Audrey Bergouignan

I am fascinated by how living beings, including plants, animals and humans, adapt to changes of their environment. Over the years I specialized as a human physiologist studying metabolism and its regulation by environmental factors (diet and physical activity). I am employing a unique translational approach by aiming to understand the capacity of the body to adapt to extreme conditions such as space environment or polar conditions, to then help understanding the onset and progression of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. My ultimate goal is to develop novel strategies of prevention and treatment of these metabolic diseases that represent a public health burden, and thus improve human condition.

I am furthermore passionate by the outdoors adventures (skiing, cross-country skiing and back-country hiking) and traveling. This project is for me an amazing opportunity to assemble all my passions at once by leading a top level research project along with other enthusiastic and skilled female researchers, meeting with an International team of female explorers and trying to improve our knowledge on human body. I hope it will further inspire all young female scientists and explorers to go beyond what is expected from them and reach their dreams.

November 2016