Extras
Personal interests and values within and beyond my academic work.
Personal and professional commitments
Outside of my academic work, I try to stay engaged in causes I consider important, both within and beyond the university.
Access to education
I am committed to helping bridge the gap in access to higher education, particularly for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. I have for example supervised several MathC2 workshops, national programs in France aimed at high school students from under-resourced schools and often with a strong focus on encouraging young women to pursue scientific studies. I have also participated in multiple outreach events where I presented my work and the broader world of applied mathematics. In my own teaching at the university, I make it a priority to build strong, individualized connections with students, ensure they feel supported, especially those who may lack familiarity with the expectations and codes of academic environments, as I did in the past. I am deeply convinced that social class remains the most structural and persistent form of inequality in access to academic and scientific careers. Beyond outreach, I aim to develop my own accessible teaching resources; in particular, content designed to demystify mathematics and scientific studies for students who may lack early exposure or institutional support. My long-term goal is to help make our field more welcoming and comprehensible to those who are often kept at its margins. But as I am still a student, this can wait...Volunteering
I have always believed in giving back to society, in return for the many opportunities and support it has offered me. For several years, I regularly organized activities and animations for children in the pediatric ward of the hospital in my hometown. I also gave free tutoring sessions to classmates or younger students who needed academic support, and when I was younger I volunteered at the local community center (MJC) of my hometown. In addition, I have occasionally acted as a foster home for pets in need (I love animals).Scientific integrity
As a PhD student just beginning my career, one thing I care deeply about is the integrity of the work I contribute to. From the very start of my thesis, my advisors have emphasized the importance of rigorous, meaningful, and honest research. I try to uphold that standard by asking myself whether what I'm doing really brings something new. I’m well aware that the pressure to publish is real, but I don’t want to fall into the habit of producing papers just to build up a list. I'd rather take my time, collaborate thoughtfully, and produce results I can stand by, even if that means fewer publications in my career.Local craftsmanship and agriculture
I believe the quality of what we use and enjoy is closely connected to the people who create it. Whenever possible, I choose to support local artisans, small producers, and independent businesses. That can mean buying food directly from nearby farms, choosing handmade objects from craftspeople I know, while recommending their work to friends and colleagues. It is not about rejecting mass production altogether, but more about helping keep alive the skills, creativity, and human connections that often disappear in industrial processes.Blood and plasma donation
I am a regular blood and plasma donor. I started donating at 18 and continue to do so whenever possible. I am particularly aware of the importance of donations for people with rare blood types. I encourage anyone who is eligible to donate and help address ongoing shortages. You can easily make an appointment through the EFS website.Some film, music, and book picks
I have always been passionate about literature, cinema, and music. These arts have had a significant impact on my life and have shaped the way I see and think about the world.
Films
I have been a movie lover since I was young, and I enjoy recommending films that have stayed with me over the years. Here is a selection of six of my favorite works; while they are all kinda melancholic, each carries, in its own way, some hope.
Music
I spend most of my days with music playing in the background. Since my music tastes are quite eclectic, recommending music is not easy for me; I tried to pick here six albums, each in a different musical style.
Literature
When I was younger, I used to read a lot. With my PhD, I do not have as much time for it anymore, and I miss it… Still, I have a strong passion for literature, and here’s six works that have had a significant impact on my life.
A few things I learned
If what you are questioning yourself about for is not in the list below, feel free to reach out to me. I am not a reference in anything, but I can share what I learned from my experience as a student, a worker, and someone who tries to stay healthy.
Reflections on video games
Video games often get a bad reputation. People say they are just a waste of time, or even that they make players violent. I do not agree. Any form of fiction can have a bad influence if it is taken the wrong way, whether it is a movie, a book, or a song. But that does not mean the whole medium should be judged like that.
For me, video games are a real form of art. They bring together story, images, music, and something more: interactivity. You do not just watch a story, you play it, you take part in it. That makes the experience very personal. I also feel that many games today show more creativity and courage in their writing than what you often see in mainstream cinema. Two games in particular have stayed with me: the Metal Gear Solid saga and Outer Wilds.
Metal Gear Solid — Konami (1998–2015) ›
At first sight, Metal Gear Solid looks like a series of stealth or war games. But deep down, it is an anti-militarist (even anarchist) story. It makes you think about the meaning of war, about where technology can lead when it goes too far, and even about artificial intelligence, years before it became a common topic.
What makes it special for me is its mix of cinematic quality and the way it often breaks the fourth wall. The game speaks directly to you, not just to your character. Sometimes the story feels confusing or too much, but that is also what makes it strong. It does not try to be simple entertainment. It stays in your head because it asks questions that still matter today. For me, Metal Gear Solid was clear proof that video games can be real works of art, with strong philosophical and political ideas.
— David (codename: Solid Snake), in front of Federal Hall
Outer Wilds — Möbius Interactive (2019) ›
Outer Wilds is very different. There is no combat, no scores, no missions to follow. It is only exploration: a small solar system to visit, secrets to find, and a limited time to do it before everything starts again. What touched me the most was the atmosphere: sad and bright at the same time. The game makes you face the idea that everything ends, that you cannot reach every goal, and that curiosity itself gives value to the journey.
There are no tutorials, no guides. You just try, fail, and try again. It is about curiosity, learning on your own, and the small wonder of each discovery. Outer Wilds is not always easy. Sometimes it feels heavy, even a bit depressing. But it is also one of the rare games that left me with real questions and a strange feeling, close to what I get with a novel or a play. It makes you think about time, knowledge, and our place in the universe.
— Chert (the percussionist), 90 seconds before the end of the world