HDR defense

Thierry Marcel (ADEP team) has defended his HDR^* on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM on Campus Agro Paris-Saclay, in Amphitheater C1-0-06, in the presence of the jury, comprising
James KM BROWN, Reviewer (by videoconference)
Charles-Eric DUREL, Examiner
Valérie GEFFROY, Examiner
Francine PM GOVERS, Reviewer
Thierry LANGIN, Reviewer

Adaptation of phytopathogenic fungi to their biotic and abiotic environments
Thierry Marcek's work has focused on three major pathosystems involving cereal crops and fungal pathogens: barley – Puccinia hordei Otth during his PhD and postdoctoral research at Wageningen University (2002–2008), and wheat – Puccinia triticina Eriks and wheat – Zymoseptoria tritici since joining INRAE in 2009. These fungal pathogens cause leaf rust and Septoria tritici blotch, respectively, two of the most damaging diseases affecting cereals worldwide. His research aims to understand how these fungal pathogens adapt to their local environments, particularly their specialization to host plants and their responses to climatic variables. Investigating the evolutionary and adaptive processes of these pathogens, identifying the genetic basis of adaptation, and deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved are crucial steps toward developing effective and sustainable disease management strategies. Looking ahead, he proposes integrating emerging tools such as pangenome graphs and Genotype-Host Associations to accelerate research. These approaches will not only deepen the understanding of fungal pathogen adaptation at the molecular level but also facilitate large-scale epidemiological surveillance of pathogen populations.

_{* The HDR "Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches" (qualification for supervising PhD theses) is the highest national diploma of Higher Education in France. It is required for supervising PhD students.}