Position: Research Engineer at the University of Orléans
Team: NNIC – Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Ion Channels
Project: Pharmacological and electrophysiological study of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and glutamate receptors in insects and mammals.
Objectives:
Characterize the pharmacological and functional properties of insect nAChRs.
Investigate how subunit composition and stoichiometry influence receptor properties.
Evaluate receptor sensitivity to different classes of insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, sulfoximines, and butenolides.
Gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity and selectivity of these compounds.
Characterize receptors using two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) electrophysiology following expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes.
Background
Since April 2026: Research Engineer at the P2E Laboratory, University of Orléans, NNIC team.
2022–2025: PhD in Neurobiology at the University of Orléans, P2E Laboratory – NNCI team.
PhD thesis: In vitro evaluation of the pharmacological properties of neonicotinoids, sulfoximines, and butenolides on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects and mammals.
PhD Supervisor: Prof. Steeve H. Thany.
Main approaches: TEVC electrophysiology in Xenopus laevis oocytes, receptor pharmacology, concentration–response curves, molecular biology, and site-directed mutagenesis.
Teaching activities: Participation in undergraduate and Master’s-level teaching at the University of Orléans in neuropharmacology, physiology, electrophysiology, and neuroscience.
2018–2020: Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, specialization in Evolutionary and Functional Ecology, Sorbonne University, Paris.
2015–2018: Bachelor’s degree in Life and Earth Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon.