Laurie Guillot, Ruminant Center of Excellence: “There is no monotony: every project is different. No time to be bored!”

Meet our researcher: Laurie Guillot, R&D Project Manager, Ruminant Center of Excellence

• Based in France, INRAe Theix
• Master, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand
• Areas of expertise: microbiology, molecular biology

 

Laurie, can you tell us a bit about yourself, your passions, and why you chose to be a researcher?

I have always been attracted to biology and its mechanics. At school, we began to learn biology about the human body, which I found was a complex and scheming machine. Then, I discovered microbiology through my DUT (Technical University Diploma) and my master’s degree in Clermont-Ferrand. I quickly became interested in studies on the various microbiota that we host and I was eager to understand how such small beasts could do great things. As a part of the second year of my master’s degree, I started an internship at Lallemand with Frédérique Chaucheyras -Durand, as my mentor, at the INRAe of Theix.

During this internship, I discovered applied science, and I really enjoyed it. I began to work on intestinal microbiota, observed its importance through its many functions, the interactions with the host, and between the microorganisms themselves.

This internship reinforced my will to pursue a career in biology. At the end of my studies, I had a fixed-term contract with Lallemand, which allowed me to develop my skills and experience.

After four years of a fixed-term contract with INRAe, I was hired by Lallemand with a permanent contract as R&D Project Manager for the Ruminant Center of Excellence.

On a personal note, what I enjoy is traveling, cooking, wandering in nature. I also like watching sporting events, mostly Formula 1 and biathlons.

 

What is exciting about your job?

What I really like is that I am involved in a project from the beginning to the end, and we are following a common thread. I will be consulted right at the conception of the project, when we do the experiments (which is what I enjoy the most), the analysis, and, of course, the writing of reports to communicate the results. Being in applied science, having a goal, and knowing where to go, is also a great strength of my job.

Also, there is no monotony: every project is different. There is always something new to learn, so there’s no time to be bored!

 

What is it like to work for Lallemand Centers of Excellence?

The fact that we are working in a partnership with the INRAe, to me, is truly rewarding. I can benefit from my colleagues’ experience: from advice on how to start a project. We can really benefit from their skills and know-how — but it also goes both ways! We get advice and instruction in learning new techniques. We also have access to equipment, which allows us to move forward with our projects much quicker and stay on top of the game!