RESUME
Degrees
University Queen Mary of London, United Kingdom
2015-2019
PhD in Biology - Department of Experimental Psychology
University Paris 11, France
2013-2014
Master 2 Neurosciences and Signalling
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University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, France
2012-2013
Master 1 Neurosciences, Behaviour and Cognition
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University Valparaiso, Chile
2011-2012
Magistere of Neurosciences (semester 1)
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University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, France
2008-2011
Licence in Behavioural Ecology (Biology of Organisms, Populations and Ecosystems)
Technical skills
Informatics: Pack Office, Statistics and modelling (R, Statistica, Sigma Plot, MATLAB, SPSS, Python - basics), AMIRA, Image J, graphics (Wacom tablet) - illustration, use of 3D printer and related softwares, Arduinos.
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Scientific skills: Development and implementation of behavioral tests, conditioning protocol, using
pharmacological tools, physiological measurements (hemolymph extraction, glucose concentration), Nanodrop use, statistical analysis of data, imaging techniques (Image J), Immunohistochemestry and immunohistofluorescence (basics), DNA, RNA extraction and purification (basics), quantitative analysis (qPCR) (basics), 2D/3D visual analysis, anatomical drawings, micro-CT, anatomical and physiological measures (respirometer, morphometrics), tunnel experiments, sensory ecology, isotropic fractionator and more.
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Research experience
Post-doctoral fellow - Macquarie University, Biology department, Prof. Barron's laboratory
​2022 (Nov) - Now
(1) How bees use active vision to solde complex visual problems?
(2) Working memory in comparative cognition (bees, birds and more)
Neuroscience (isotropic fractionator), free-flying experiments (bees & birds: hummingbirds), modelling, video analysis, supervision.
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Post-doctoral fellow - Stockholm University, Sweden, Zoology department, INSECT laboratory
​2020 (April) - 2021 (Nov)
Impact of temperature change on visual behaviour and visual anatomy of pollinators (butterflies and bumblebees)
Neuro-ecological techniques, morphometrics, anatomy, micro CT-technique, AMIRA 3D reconstruction of eyes and brains, tunnel and sensory experiments, PhD supervision, teaching (psychophysics).
Post-doctoral fellow / Lab manager - Stockholm University, Sweden, Zoology department, INSECT laboratory
​October 2019 - April 2020
Supervising research projects, perform lab techniques, manage reporting, monitoring, resources and personnel, set up the laboratory, creates websites and schedules, assess issues and risks.
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PhD student - University Queen Mary of London, United Kingdom, Bee Sensory and Behavioural Ecology Laboratory
​2015-2019
Active vision in insects
Behavioural tests (bees and humans – eye-tracking), software programming, 2D/3D tracking, data analysis, statistics.
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C.N.R.S. Research engineer - Research Center on Animal Cognition, University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, France
​2014
Study of the role of AmDOP2 in shock responsiveness in the honeybee Apis mellifera.
Micro-injections, brain dissections and extractions, Nanodrop use, qPCR, behavioural tests, statistical analysis.
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C.N.R.S. Research internships - Research Center on Animal Cognition, University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, France and Instituto de FisiologÃa, BiologÃa Molecular y Neurociencias - Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Supervision: Prof. Giurfa (1,2,3), Dr. de Brito Sanchez (1,2,3) and Dr. Walter Farina (3)
​2012-2014
(1) Aversive taste conditioning in the honeybee: neuronal mechanisms and pathways.
Behavioral tests, injections of aminergic blockers, optical imaging, data analysis.
(2) Role of Neuropeptide F in the Ingestion of harmful substances in the domestic honeybee.
Abdominal injections of RNAi, Physiological measurements, Nanodrop use, qPCR.
(3) Influence of insulin injections on olfactory and gustatory sensitivity during development in Apis mellifera.
Behavioral tests: olfactory and gustatory, abdominal injections of insulin, beekeeping.
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Research internship - Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaiso – University of Valparaiso, Chili
Supervision: Dr. Whitlock
​2011-2012
Study of adult neurogenesis in the olfactory circuits of honeybee queens Apis mellifera.
Bibliography, protocol design, technics in molecular and cellular biology, microscopy, image and results processing, statistics.
Professional skills: Science communication, organizational capabilities, rigor and autonomy, collaboration, initiative, adaptability, responsiveness, teamwork, mentorship, webpage design and network management, problem-solving skills.
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Websites I created:
Languages
French (mother tongue), English (fluent),
Spanish (fluent),
Catalan (basics).
Grants and prizes
Macquarie Minds and Intelligence initiative (2023) equipment/conference grant (5000$AU)
Marie Curie M.S.C.A. (2020) - Seal of excellence (2021) 93%
Diamond Light Source (2019 and 2020) - synchrotron : 2 grants awarded for projects (appx 45 000 €)
Local grants for equipment (2019) (5000 €)
Travel grant A.S.A.B. conference 2018 (500£)
PhD Scholarship Active vision in bees (2015) (67 000£)
Edition & Review
Reviewer (2023-now) - Apidologie
Reviewer (2023-now) - eLife
Reviewer (2022-now) - Insects
Guest editor (2022) - Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience
Reviewer (2019-now) - Journal of Experimental Biology
Reviewer (2018-now) - Frontiers
Teaching and science popularization
Macquarie University, Biology department, Prof. Barron's laboratory - Post-doctoral fellow
​2022 (Nov) - Now
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Supervision: Undergraduate students (1), Master student (2), PhD students (3).
Conferences organisation: Types of minds (03/23), Natural and artificial intelligences (03/24), Macquarie Minds and Intelligence Initiative (2023-2024) https:// www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/groups/macquarie-minds-and- intelligences-initiative
Outreach: Native bees and pollination (04/25), on-campus.
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Collège Victor Hugo, Lavelanet, France - Biology teacher
2022 (March - July)
Teaching: Biology, Geology and more for 11-15 y/o. Creation of course materials, games (Immunity-based Role Play game, Prisonner's dilemma), creative projects, Q&A sessions. Microscope observations & dissections.
Outreach: Science club, botanics, Psychology 101 classes on consent, non-violent communication and personal growth.
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Stockholm University, Sweden, Zoology department, INSECT laboratory - Post-doctoral fellow and lab manager
2019-2020
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Teaching: psychophysics
Supervision: Master students (4), PhD students (2).
Citizen science project: from design to development Pollinators Of Sweden (P.O.S) https://www.invismo-project.com/outreach
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Queen Mary University of London, UK - PhD student
2015-2019
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Teaching: experimental psychology, research methods, neuro-psychology, statistics, project management, molecular and cellular biology, evolution, practical biology, ecology, behavioural ecology, neurosciences, animal behaviour (and more).
Participation in life science experiments: several in the department of Experimental Psychology including: heart rate control through respiration, E.E.G. experiments on language understanding and music valorisation (non-musicians/musicians), reflex experiments, psychological tests (dark triad, expectations experiments, tests in positive psychology about meaningful conversations) and more during practicals with students.
Supervision: PhD students (2), Master students (3), 3rd year students (3), Nuffield placements students (5)
Citizen science project: Save London's bees https://www.savelondonbees.co.uk
Seminar organising: School of Biological and Chemical Science
Outreach: Middle school conferences (Olympe de Gouges, Montauban)
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Museum of Natural History of Toulouse, France - Scientific and cultural guide
2010-2011 (part-time job)
Teaching, science popularization, live demonstrations, scientific and game workshops, exhibition visits, peer training.
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Toulouse, France - Private teacher
2009-2010
Teaching mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, english, spanish, french for students between 11-17 y/o.
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Scientific
communications
International Congress of Entomology, Kyoto, Japan
August 2024
Talk
International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI), Lausanne, Switzerland
July 2024
Talk
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Guest speaker, CNRS, Marseille-Aix University, France
July 2024
Talk
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Major Transitions in Cognition workshop, University of Canberra, Australia
April 2024
Talk
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Natural and Artificial intelligences, Macquarie University, Australia
March 2024
Talk
Space & Numbers in Animal Minds, University of Canberra, Australia
Sept 2023
Talk
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Sydney's bee day, University of Sydney, Australia
July 2023
Talk
Types of Minds conference, Macquarie University, Australia
March 2023
Talk
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Online conference in French "Les abeilles", Nature'N Clic, Twitch
May 2022
Talk, French, science popularisation
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Bloodbath conference, Tovetorp field station, Sweden
October 2019
Talk
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10th Conference on Animal Navigation, Royal Institute of Navigation, Royal Holloway College, Egham, United Kingdom
April 2019
Talk with Vince Gallo
Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB), University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
April 2018
1st prize for best talk
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Beekeeper Central Association, Sussex, United Kingdom (https://www.cabk.org.uk/event/spring-meeting-2018/)
February 2018
Talk
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School of Biological and Chemical Science, Queen Mary University, United Kingdom
2015-2018
1st year talk, 2nd year poster, 3rd year talk
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Applied Vision Association (AVA), Queen Mary University, United Kingdom
December 2016
Talk
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French Research Network in Ethology, Tours, France
October 2014
Poster presentation
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International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI), Cairns, Australia
July 2014
Poster presentation by Prof. Giurfa
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15th French Conference on invertebrate Neurobiology, Toulouse, France
July 2014
1st prize for best poster presentation (F1000).