Meet the lab
Stéphanie Baulac, PhD
Leads translational research on brain mosaicism in cortical malformations and epilepsy, particularly focal cortical dysplasia. Integrates genetic and single-cell analyses of epileptic brain tissues with iPSC-derived organoids and mouse models to identify therapeutic targets. Recipient of ERC Consolidator Grant (2016), Michael Prize in Epileptology (2019), and Lamonica Prize in Neurology (2024).
Sara Baldassari, PhD
Investigates how genetic mosaicism contributes to MOGHE and other epileptogenic cortical malformations with white matter lesions and glycosylation defects, using cutting-edge single-cell and spatial genomic and transcriptomic techniques, in vitro and in vivo models. Scientific Manager of the iGenSeq platform at ICM (2025) and recipient of a French National Research Agency grant (ANR-JCJC, 2023).
Alice Gilbert, PhD
Studies mouse models of mTORopathies to understand mechanisms underlying brain developmental disorders, using behavior and spatial transcriptomics
Ann Sofie de Meulemeester, PhD
Investigates how somatic mutations drive focal cortical dysplasia and epileptogenesis using mosaic cortical organoids, combining genomic engineering, imaging, and human stem cell-derived models. Recipient of an MSCA-PF fellowship (MSCA Horizon Europe, 2023).
Ignacy Czajewski, PhD
Investigates how disrupted glycosylation leads to cortical malformations using organoid models. Recipient of a MSCA-PF fellowship (MSCA Horizon Europe, 2024).
Rayann Checri, MD
Investigates somatic mutations from SEEG electrodes to correlate mutation load and epileptogenicity, and develops new diagnostic tools.
Augustin Chen
Applies bioinformatics and mathematical modeling to study somatic mutation evolution in human brain development and malformations.
Marco Martins Gama
Studies the emergence of somatic mutations using cortical organoids and in vivo models through single-cell and whole genome sequencing.
Alice Dainelli, MD
Provides clinical expertise in pediatric neurology and studies somatic mutations.
Marion Doladilhe
Specializes in mouse model development, in utero electroporation, and histological analysis.
Jeanne Couturier
Applies single-cell technologies to investigate somatic mosaicism in focal cortical malformations.
Rym Mennour
Investigates molecular mechanisms of cortical developmental malformations through single-cell analysis.
Eric Noe
Serves as lab manager and participating in the biobanking of surgical samples.
Louiza Arouche Delaperche, PhD
Develops in vitro and in vivo models to investigate RNU variants involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Alexandre Gato
Develops and maintains mouse models of epilepsy for mechanistic studies.
Constance Lamer
Specializes in human cortical organoid model development and characterization.
Eric Leguern, MD, PhD
Professor of Medical Genetics at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital and Director of the Molecular and Cellular Neurogenetics Medical Facility.
Mathilde Chipaux, MD
Child neurologist at the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Rothschild Foundation Paris. Coordinator the GENEPHY (Genetic and Electrophysiologic Study in Focal Drug-resistant Epilepsies; clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02890641)
GENEPHY study for the collection and biobanking of brain samples from epilepsy surgery. Member of EpiCARE.
Caroline Nava, MD, PhD
Investigates epileptic encephalopathies with a focus on spliceosome-affecting mutations. Recipient of an AXA Research Funds grant.
Anna Gerasimenko, MD
Provides clinical genetics expertise for epilepsy and developmental disorders.
Kenza GUERDOUD – research engeneer
Julia-Lauren CARUANA – M2 Student
Louna SCHAISON – Master Student
Sara BIZZOTTO – Currently Principal Investigator at Institute Imagine (CR INSERM)
Lina SAMI – PhD Student
Marina MALETIC – Former post-doctoral researcher.
Currently P4 Health Project Manager at IGBMC (Strasbourg)
Agnès RASTETTER – Former research Engineer.
Currently at Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF)
Marie CAPESTAN – M2 Student
Camille PONS – Student
Tais BERGEVIN – Student
Eline QUIRIJNEN – Former M2 Student.
Currently life science consultant at TMC Belgium.
Sofie Mathilde JACOBSEN – M2 Student
Lilly KAUFMANN – M2 Student.
Currently master student at Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen
Giulia OLIVUCCI, Visiting MD.
Currently PhD student at IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola – Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna
Angel ESCUDERO – M2 Student
Laurene LAYUS, PhD.
Currently Post-Doctoral researcher at Northwestern University (Chicago)
Alexandre BACQ, PhD – Former Postdoctoral Researcher
Currently pharmacology researcher at Biocodex
Yvan KTORZA – M2 Student
Currently PhD student at IPNP
Maha DAHAWI, MD-PhD – Former PhD Candidate
Currently director of the scientific African programs- fondation L’Oréal,
L’Oréal-UNESCO young talent award winner
Barbora HERMANOVSKA, MD – Visiting PhD Student
Currently PhD student at Charles University in Prague
Asimenia GKOGKA – M2 Student
Currently PhD student at Karolinska Institute
Théo RIBIERRE, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher
Currently Facility Director (NeuroNA Human Cellular Neurosciences), at Campus Biotech, Geneva
Thomas BONDUELLE – MD
Currently resident in Neurology at Bordeaux
Christel DEPIENNE, PhD – Principal Investigator
Currently PI at Essen Institute for Human Genetics
Sarah WECKHUYSEN, MD, PhD – Principal Investigator
Currently PI at Antwerp University
Saeko ISHIDA, DVet, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher
Currently PI at Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Morgane BOILLOT, PhD – PhD Student
Currently senior editor at EBiomedicine – The Lancet
Elise MARSAN, PhD – PhD Student
Currently team leader, PI, at NIH Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
Manon QUIQUAND, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher.
Currently Engineer in metabolomics at Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
Binke VERDEYEN – Masters Student
Giuseppe MURACA – Technician
Currently senior CRA at Syneos Health
Elodie CHABROL – PhD Student
Currently Director of PINT OF SCIENCE
Béatrice DUFRESNOIS – Technician
Phillipe COUARCH– PhD Student
Valentin VANHEE – Research engineer
Currently PhD student at UVSQ Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines