Sylvain Laforet Joins the Microscopy Division

After studiing materials science in Bordeaux, he continued his career at the Chevreul Institute, where he completed his master’s internship, his PhD, and his postdoctoral fellowship.

His doctoral work began with the arrival of asteroid samples brought back by the Japanese space mission Hayabusa 2. Through his observations using the TITAN electron microscope, Sylvain contributed to a better understanding of the formation of the solar system, notably by revealing the presence of water in the form of clay within the samples.

Part of his work also focused on the configurtion of the microscope. His objective was to develop non-destructive analysis methods, a key step in preserving these fragile asteroid fragments.

During his postdoctoral research, he broadened his scope by studying the experimental conditions required to preserve the integrity of samples analyzed within the Microscopy Division.

Alongside his research, Sylvain is actively involved in scientific mediation projects such as Maté’Radio and Xpérium, initiatives that make science accessible to a wider audience.

His arrival is a real asset for the Microscopy Plateform. His expertise will provide strong support to ongoing and future scientific projects.