Cécile Patrelle
PhD in Evolutive Ecology
cecile.patrelle(at)gmail.com
Citizenship: French
Languages: French (native), English, Spanish (basics)
General field: Evolutionary
Ecology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Life-History Traits, Hybridization Complex,
Amphibians, Nematodes
In a context of global changes
at a world scale, it is important to identify and understand selection
pressures on populations. Faced to these sudden changes of their environment,
the fate of organisms depends on their ability to respond, to cope and adapt to
these changes in order to avoid extinction. The nature of these responses is
different: some are due to phenotypic plasticity mechanisms, while others are
due to genetic evolution and thus local adaptation. Since very young, and
having lived in diverse regions of the globe (in Martinique,
a Caribbean island, in French Guyana), I am fascinated by the diversity of
organisms present in the World, and especially attracted by these questions.
Hence, I followed academic studies on evolutionary ecology, and focused my
career in research on this field.
The majority of my work
involves using genetic and experimental approaches to understand how animals
are affected by pressures such as habitat modification, climate change, or
disease. Even if most of my research is fundamental and theorical, I used the results
to guide the management and conservation of wild populations, working in
collaboration with local associations and Ministry Organisms. I am
particularly interested in teaching and other forms of science communication, and
I joined during five years the pedagogic team of the Department of Biology (University of Angers) as an Instructor, then as a
Teacher and Researcher Assistant in order to practice and improve my
communication skills.
