Bio

I have the privilege to lead the biomimicry division of the Institute for Desirable Futures based in France, and I am also the funding member and associate expert of the start-up PIKAIA applying biomimicry approach to products, services and organizational innovations. I have been during 12 years director for ''Sciences and Environment'' of the Cousteau Society, an environmental ngo created by Jacques Cousteau. Science ecologist by training, I had an initial training in biology and specialized in integrated management of natural environments, taking into account socio-economic as well as natural and cultural assets. For example, I have developed and managed a large multi-disciplinary socio-ecological study of the Red Sea State in Sudan, a study that contributed to the UNESCO World Heritage designation of two marine national parks. I also contributed to the development of the maritime spatial plan of the Tadjoura Golf in Djibouti. Since 2008, I also develop an expertise in biomimicry and I have the privilege to be one of the key persons developing this approach in France. Biomimicry is aiming at stimulating the emergence of innovations inspired by the observation of living systems - from the intracellular level to that of the whole of the biosphere. Biomimicry is thus potentially an accelerator of innovations bringing high added value in the fields of social and environmental responsibility. I contributed to develop methodologies in partnership with various stakeholders and I teach biomimicry for sustainable development in several engineering, business and vocational schools, as well as to a large audience. I am the founding member and secretary of the French Committee of Biomimicry Europa (French ngo) and a founding member of the European Center of Excellence in Biomimicry (CEEBIOS).