Noémie Coulon, originally from Villiers-sur-Tholon, near Aillant in Yonne, is a promising young scientist. Specializing in oceanography and marine ecology, she received the Young Talents prize from the L’Oréal-Unesco Foundation this Wednesday, October 9, a prize that values scientific excellence and encourages young women to pursue scientific studies. The researcher, a doctoral student in a laboratory in Brittany, was rewarded for her work on the effects of climate change on rays and sharks in the North-East Atlantic. “It’s really something that honors me and which comes at a pivotal period in my career, it will both promote my work and encourage me to pursue my scientific career”reacts the young woman, aged 26, at the microphone of France Bleu Auxerre.
Species threatened with extinction
The winner hopes that her prize will bring visibility to her research and allow further protect marine species. “Stingrays and sharks are unloved and vulnerableexplains Noémie Coulon. In mainland France, more than 1,000 species are threatened with extinction, in particular because of fishing and the degradation of natural habitats but also climate change..
“In my thesis, I showed that with an increase of more than four degrees in temperature, which could happen by 2100, 89% of shark embryos do not hatch”alerts the scientist. In a scenario where rising temperatures would not exceed two degrees, the effects on marine species would be less significant. “It’s quite encouraging because it shows that if we make efforts, our impacts on ecosystems can be minimal”adds Noémie Coulon.
Thanks to her reward, the researcher also hopes inspire young girls to follow a science course. “We have fewer role models than the boysshe assures. It’s difficult when you’re a little girl to have a scientific role model who looks like you, I didn’t have many and that’s why today, I’m very proud to be able to be one for the next generation”.
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