Françoise Gaill is Senior Researcher at the joint research unit 'Systemic, Adaptation, Evolution' (CNRS/IRD/MNHN/UPMC/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris) that she has co-directed since its creation in 2003. She is also the scientific representative for international affairs for both the Life Sciences (SdV) and Environment and Sustainable Development (EDD) departments. As of September 1, she will head the latter. As new Director her top priority will be to set up the CNRS Institute that will replace the EDD department, by the end of the year.
After earning a doctorate in animal biology, Françoise Gaill joined CNRS in 1973 where she has worked in various laboratories including the Roscoff Biological Station from 1993 to 1998. The field biologist has undertaken more than 30 oceanographic campaigns. Ms. Gaill and her team have developed special tools for studying marine organisms in deep water environments. The technologies enabled her to discover that the larvae of thermophilic species, i.e., organisms living in warm environments, can survive in cold environments unlike the adults living in the extreme environments.
The scientist, who has authored more than 130 publications on her research, also sits on several scientific boards (IFREMER, Museum of Natural History, IRD, UPMC, and the Total Foundation) and is involved in a number of international organizations such as the European Science Foundation (ESF). She also regularly takes part in communication operations and in activities to make science available to wider audiences.
CNRS - Department for the Environment and Sustainable Development - Département Environnement et Développement Durable - Françoise Gaill - Phone: +33 (0)1 44 96 41 19 - email: Francoise.Gaill@cnrs-dir.fr
