Bio
Antoine Minet is a researcher in the field of ecotoxicology, with a specialized focus on the interactions between environmental stressors and aquatic organisms. He holds a PhD in Physiology, Organism Biology, Populations, and Interactions from La Rochelle University in France, where he also served as a teaching and research assistant.
Throughout his career, Antoine has dedicated himself to understanding the impact of pollutants, such as mercury, plastics, nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals on diverse biological systems ranging from bacteria to top predator. His doctoral research focused on the bioaccumulation and effects of mercury in the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, under conditions of ocean acidification. His work at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Monaco and La Rochelle University allowed him to master techniques using stable and radioactive isotopes. Antoine has acquired extensive expertise in ethology during his time at the marine station in Luc sur Mer, where he honed his skills in animal behavior studies. Furthermore, he has developed considerable expertise in the use of micro-mesocosms to study the ecotoxic effects of contaminants on aquatic organisms.
Currently, Antoine is a Postdoctoral Research Associate working on Mercury. Mercury is one of the most pervasive and widespread contaminants worldwide but the relationship between environmental mercury concentrations, methylmercury production, and mercury bioaccumulation is poorly understood. Because methylmercury bioaccumulation in fish poses both a human health and ecological risk, there is a need to understand both the chemical and ecological drivers of mercury bioaccumulation in aquatic systems. In particular, Antoine examines the effects of filter feeders on mercury dynamics in stream systems. As keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, freshwater bivalves can drastically affect water quality, habitat, and food web structures, and consequently their presence may also affect mercury bioaccumulation and trophic transfer.
Beyond the laboratory, Antoine is committed to science education and public engagement, having organized several events aimed at demystifying scientific research to a broader audience. He is also an advocate for diversity, equity, and gender equality in the scientific community, embodying these values in his everyday professional interactions.
Professional Experience
• 10/2024-10/2026: Postdoctoral research associate, Oark Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, United States.
Supervisors: Louise Stevenson & Teresa Mathews.
Investigate the effects of filter feeders on mercury dynamics in stream systems.
•10/2022-09/2023: Teaching and research assistant at LIENSs UMR7266, La Rochelle, France.
Bioaccumulation of mercury in the common cuttlefish along the bay of Biscay.
• 09/2018-09/2022: PhD student at LIENSs UMR7266, La Rochelle, France.
Supervisors: Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe, Christelle Jozet-Alves & Paco Bustamante.
Bioaccumulation and effects of mercury on the common cuttlefish under global changes.
• 04/2017-08/2018: Engineer at Laboratoire d’écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Toulouse, France.
Supervisors: Florence Mouchet, Laury Gauthier & Eric Pinelli.
Effects of micro- and nano-plastics on aquatic organisms (algae, chironomus, xenopus).
• 10/2016-03/2017: Internship at Laboratoire d’écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Toulouse, France.
Supervisor: Laury Gauthier.
Impact of wastewater micropollutants on aquatic organisms using in-situ pilot for micro-mesocosms assays.
• 03 to 08/2016: Second year MSc internship at NIBIO, Ås, Norway.
Supervisor: Claire Coutris.
Impacts of Ag et TiO2 nanoparticles on soil and sludge microorganisms.
• 05 to 08/2015: First year MSc internship at CEAEQ, Québec, Canada.
Supervisor: Mélanie Desrosiers.
Impact of a new wastewater treatment on Daphnia magna.
• 05 to 08/2014: BSc internship at SLU, Alnarp, Sweden.
Supervisor: Beatrix Alsanius.
Impact of nitrogen fertilization on plants microbiota.
Education
• 09/2018-09/2022: PhD student at La Rochelle Université and UMR7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle, France.
Supervisors: Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe, Christelle Jozet-Alves & Paco Bustamante.
Bioaccumulation and effects of mercury on the common cuttlefish in the context of ocean acidification.
• 10/2016-03/2017: Research diploma at Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, France.
Supervisors: Florence Mouchet, Laury Gauthier & Eric Pinelli
• 09/2014-09/2016: International Master Sustainable Management of Pollution at Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture, Lille, France.
Supervisors: Bertrand Pourrut & Julien Castelin
• 09/2013-08/2014: Bachelor in environmental science at Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture, Lille, France.
• 09/2011-08/2013: Technological diploma at Institut Universitaire et Technologique, Boulogne sur mer, France.