Dr. Audrey FERRAND | Mechanobiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Audrey FERRAND , Inserm , France

Dr. Audrey Ferrand, PhD, HDR, is a tenured senior researcher at Inserm and team leader at the Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD) in Toulouse, France. Born in 1975, she is a pioneering scientist in intestinal biology, with a strong international profile, including stints at Harvard Medical School and the University of Melbourne. She currently leads the “Intestinal Epithelium & Environment Interactions” team, investigating the dynamic crosstalk between intestinal epithelial cells and their environment. Dr. Ferrand has published 28 peer-reviewed articles, with an h-index of 20 and over 2100 citations. She is widely recognized for her expertise in organoids, regenerative medicine, and mechanobiology, and has coordinated multiple large-scale European research projects. A prolific speaker, educator, and scientific leader, she also plays key roles in advisory boards and national committees, contributing to cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Outstanding Scientific Productivity

• 28 peer-reviewed publications and 7 review articles.

• Strong Google Scholar profile (h-index 20; 2122 citations).

• Recent high-impact publications in PLoS Computational Biology, Journal of Pathology, and Cell Reports.

2. Research Leadership & Innovation

• Team Leader at Inserm since 2021.

• Leads the “Intestinal Epithelium & Environment Interactions” team, a hub of innovation in gut biology and organoid models.

• Coordinated 6 major funded research projects since 2020 totaling over €2 million.

3. International Experience & Visibility

• Research experience in USA (Harvard Medical School), Australia (University of Melbourne), and France.

• Speaker at top-tier global events (e.g., Columbia University, European Society of Biomaterials, Franco-Taiwanese Conference).

4. Scientific Contribution to Society

• Serves on multiple scientific advisory boards, including PEPR MED’OOC, RIBBON, and GIS FC3R.

• Expert reviewer for national and international funding bodies (France, Belgium, Poland, Israel, UKRI).

• Contributes to PhD juries (25+) and teaches extensively (40 hours/year).

5. Strategic National & EU-Level Engagement

• Holds national roles in emerging tech programs like organ-on-chip (OOC) and regenerative medicine.

• Member of key executive and scientific committees shaping the future of translational bioengineering.

⚖️ Areas for Improvement:

1. Higher Impact Journal Penetration

   • While the publication output is solid, additional publications in ultra-high impact journals (Nature, Science, Cell) could increase visibility.

2. Public & Industry Engagement

   • Although involved in translational programs, stronger partnerships with biotech startups or patient advocacy initiatives could further amplify societal impact.

3. Technology Transfer or Patents

   • No mention of patents or commercial spin-offs, which could strengthen application in innovation-oriented award contexts.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Audrey Ferrand holds a PhD in Life Sciences and an HDR (Habilitation to Direct Research), signifying her capability to lead doctoral research in France. Although specific universities for her doctoral studies are not listed, her academic pedigree includes postdoctoral training at internationally prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School’s MGH Cancer Center (2005–2006) and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Surgery (2006–2009). Her formative training laid the foundation for her long-standing focus on cancer biology, intestinal pathophysiology, and bioengineering. She has continued to enhance her expertise through involvement in multidisciplinary projects combining molecular biology, systems biology, and biomedical engineering. In parallel, Dr. Ferrand contributes significantly to academic training, teaching over 40 hours per year at Bachelor and Master levels in fields including pharmacology, tissue engineering, metabolism, and cancerology.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Ferrand has over 20 years of experience in biomedical research. Since 2009, she has held a tenured position at Inserm (CR1 level), becoming a team leader at IRSD in 2021. Her career spans international settings, including the MGH Cancer Center (Harvard Medical School) and the University of Melbourne, where she worked on translational cancer research. As team leader of “Intestinal Epithelium & Environment Interactions,” she leads interdisciplinary projects on gut biology, organoids, and microphysiological systems. She has also taken on pivotal roles in project coordination, scientific councils, ethics committees, and PhD supervision. Notably, she serves on national and international advisory boards such as PEPR MED’OOC and GIS FC3R. Beyond research, Dr. Ferrand has organized numerous conferences and thematic workshops in organoids, 3D imaging, and cancer bioengineering. Her proven track record reflects her leadership, innovation, and dedication to translational research in digestive health.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Ferrand’s research focuses on the mechanobiology and pathophysiology of the intestinal epithelium using advanced 3D culture systems and organoids. She investigates the interaction between intestinal cells and their microenvironment, particularly how physical and chemical signals regulate tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and disease. Her group is pioneering efforts in the development of colon-on-chip platforms and 3D bioprinting for high-throughput drug screening and modeling gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Ferrand’s projects are highly interdisciplinary, combining cell biology, engineering, and computational modeling. Her leadership in PEPR MED-OOC and other EU-funded initiatives showcases her vision for integrating organoid-based technologies into precision medicine. With strong collaborations across academia and industry, her team plays a key role in shaping the future of regenerative medicine and intestinal health research.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. 🧠 Deciphering cell behavior using a finite element-based vertex organoid model – PLoS Comput Biol, 2025

2. 🧬 Human colonic organoids to study familial adenomatous polyposis – J Pathol, 2025

3. 🔍 20S Proteasome profiling from patient samples using Top-Down MS – Cells, 2023

4. 🔗 Multiscale intestinal cell dynamics and gene networks – Cell Rep, 2021

5. 🔧 Stromal-epithelial interactions in gut homeostasis and disease – Front Cell Dev Biol, 2021

6. 🧫 Mechanosensing and epithelial morphogenesis – Front Cell Dev Biol, 2020

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Audrey Ferrand stands out as a highly accomplished, visionary, and influential researcher in the fields of intestinal biology, organoid systems, and mechanobiology. Her interdisciplinary approach, combining biology, engineering, and medicine, positions her at the forefront of innovation in gut research and 3D tissue modeling.