A new Deputy Director at ABIES

After 11 years serving the ABIES doctoral school as director and then deputy director, Alexandre Péry is handing over to Loïc Rajjou . Loïc will be the new corresponding person for the research units Alexandre was responsible for and will participate in developing training programmes for the doctoral school alongside his involvement in the running of ABIES.

Loïc Rajjou is Professor of Plant Biology at AgroParisTech and conducts his research at the Jean-Pierre Bourgin Institute (INRAE–AgroParisTech–Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles). His work focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine seed quality, as well as the development of biocontrol and biostimulation solutions to contribute to sustainable and resilient agriculture.

He conducts interdisciplinary and collaborative research, participates in the coordination of numerous national and European projects, and contributes to the training and supervision of doctoral students, particularly through programmes that promote the entrepreneurial skills of young researchers. He is also the co-founder of SEED IN TECH, a start-up that grew out of his work, illustrating his desire to link fundamental research, innovation and practical applications. 

He has extensive experience in doctoral studies, both for doctoral candidates as he supervised several PhDs and supervisors, having been an HDR correspondent for Paris-Saclay University.