Dr Paul Boisseaux

Overview

I am a Research Fellow in Ecotoxicology at the University of Exeter, currently focusing on microplastics in sewage sludge in Southwest England. As part of this project, I established and installed a brand-new lab to investigate their content, toxicity to plants and worms, and establish safety thresholds for land application. Previously, I explored the environmental impact of tyre particles on aquatic species and assessed the ecotoxicology of various plastics, including both fossil-fuel-based and bioplastics, to identify sustainable solutions. I also worked on proteomics to study molecular responses to pesticide exposure in an evolutionary context. Additionally, I have examined how pollutants such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides affect the immune systems of freshwater invertebrates and gained experience in cytotoxicity related to contaminants like nanomaterials and PAHs.

2013: Master degree in Health Engineering-Environment, Montpellier (France)

2014-2017: PhD in Ecotoxicology, Lyon (France)

*2011 : 5-months internship, AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited), Chalk River, Canada

Keywords: Hyalella azteca; Hexagenia limbata; Pimephelas promelas; Laboratory maintenance; Sediment toxicity tests

*2012 : 9-months internship, Immune disruptions and toxicity of contaminants laboratory, INIA, Madrid, Spain.

Keywords: Cell lines (from fishes and human); toxicity ; action mechanisms ; pollutants; MTT test; Neutral Red test, EROD activity, RT-qPCR (AhR, VTG, ER, CYP1A),

* 2013 : Marie-Curie grant within the ITN-ECO project, Madrid (Spain)

Keywords: Cell lines; Graphene nanoplatelets; EROD activity; Cytotoxicity; Biomarkers

* 2014-2017: PhD in Ecotoxicology, Lyon (France)

Keywords: Lymnaea stagnalis; Freshwater; Gastropod; Hemocytes; Immunocompetence; Ecotoxicology; Life-history traits; Relevance

* 2018: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Evolutionary ecotoxicology, Rennes (France)

Keywords: Shotgun proteomics; Lymnaea stagnalis; Hemocytes; Digestive gland; Selection; inbreeding; Transgenerational effect

*2019- 2021: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecotoxicology, Exeter university (UK)

Keywords: Microplastics; Bioplastics; Zooplankton; Daphnia magna; Artemia franciscana; Toxicity testing; Alternative plastics; Recycled plastics; Environmental contamination; Circular economy; Environmental management practices

*2021- 2023: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecotoxicology, Exeter university (UK)

Keywords: Tyre particles; Tyre leachates; Chemical additives; Zooplankton; Daphnia magna; Chronic toxicity; Life-history traits; Biostatistics

*2023- now: Research Fellow in Ecotoxicology, CREWW (Centre for Resilience in Environment Water and Waste), University of Exeter, Joint Venture Agreement, South West Water, (UK)

Keywords: Terrestrial ecotoxicology; Sewage sludge; Microplastics; Established and installed brand-new lab from scratch