Posted 29 May 2015
UCD cellular biologist awarded Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques
In recognition of his distinguished service to French education and culture, UCD cellular biologist, Dr Emmanuel Reynaud has been awarded the Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, one of the highest civilian honours bestowed on academics and educators by the French state.
Nicknamed the “purple”, the Order of Academic Palms are the oldest non-military decorations awarded to civilians in France. Napoleon I created the palmes académiques as an honorary title to recognize members of the university in 1808. Since 1955, it has three grades: commandeur (commander), officier (officer) and chevalier (knight).
Dr Emmanuel Reynaud pictured with M. Frédéric Rauser, Conseiller de coopération et d’action culturelle
Dr Reynaud, who received the award, joined the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science in 2009 as Stokes Lecturer in cellular biology. He is the author of more than 60 publications both in French and English, and is declared inventor on five different patents. He also acts as a referee for eight scientific journals and as an expert adviser for four funding agencies in Europe.
Born in Périgueux in 1969, Dr Reynaud studied molecular biology and biochemistry in France and in England. He obtained his PhD in Life Sciences from the University of Paris XI and then completed two postdoctorates, one in virology, in the Saint-Louis Hospital of Paris, the other in cellular biology, in the renowned European Molecular Biology Laboratory of Heidelberg in Germany.
Dr Reynaud carries out practical work in research as a cellular biologist of epithelia (one of the four basic types of animal tissue that line cavities and structures in the body) and is a 3D microscopic imaging specialist. His contribution is both fundamental and applied. He has regularly collaborated with companies on projects involving microscopy and marine biology.
He was in charge of the microscopic imaging platform that was set up on the schooner TARA during her 18-month round-the-world trip. This expedition, ‘Tara Océans’ collected original data on the oceans’ marine biology (plankton, corals) that were presented at ESOF 2012 in Dublin, Ireland.
He was also the curator of two exhibitions presented during the ‘Dublin City of Science 2012 Festival’. These exhibitions were organised in tandem with schooner TARA’s visit to Dublin. One of the exhibitions involved the exterior projection of selected images of the Tara expedition selected by Dr Reynaud, whose stunning range of images incorporated optical methods ranging from cell “morphing” to light sheet microscopy for 3D imaging. The exhibitions were also presented in Sweden, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates and South America during 2013 and 2014.(Produced by UCD University Relations)
