Mathilde His PhD Epidemiology
Course and current status
Current position
Research scientist in Epidemiology at the Department of Prevention Cancer Environment, Centre Léon Bérard (affiliated to the French National Federation of Centers for the Fight Against Cancer – Unicancer) & U1296 Unit “Radiation, Defense, Health, Environment” of Inserm (National Institute of Health and Medical Research)
Previous positions
- 2017-2022: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) - postdoctoral scientist in the Nutrition and Metabolism Branch.
- 2013-2016: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm U1018, CESP, "Exposome Heredity, Cancer and Health", Gustave Roussy – doctoral student
- 2013: Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), INSERM 1153/INRA 125/CNAM/Université de Paris - Research intern in nutritional epidemiology,
- 2012: University of Cambridge - Research intern in nutritional epidemiology, EPIC-Norfolk - Department of Public Health and Primary Care
Education
- 2013-2016: PhD in Public Health and Epidemiology, Paris-Sud University.
- 2010-2013: Engineer diploma (M.Sc equivalent) from AgroParisTech, specialized in sciences and technologies of human biology, nutrition and food.
- 2008-2010: Post-secondary program preparing the national entrance exams for the «Grandes Ecoles», intensive coursework in biology, mathematics, geology, physics and chemistry
- 2008: Scientific Baccalauréat, Mathematics option, awarded with highest honors and congratulations from the jury
Scientific summary
My research focuses on identifying opportunities for breast cancer prevention and improving the health of women diagnosed with breast cancer, by investigating (modifiable) risk factors in different parts of the world, with a focus on obesity and energy balance-related factors. During my PhD and postdoctoral training, I have acquired expertise in combining different approaches (anthropometry, life course trajectories, biomarkers, metabolomics) using data from different types of observational epidemiological studies (EPIC, E3N, SU.VI.MAX, EsMaestras, PRECAMA).
I am strongly committed to spreading current knowledge on cancer prevention and research results to various audiences and previously developed different types of outreach activities (organization and participation in talks and videos, creation and design of educational games, internal seminars for non-scientific colleagues).
Fellowships and distinctions
- Funding: INCa SHS-E-SP 2023 (PI, 599,000 €), Postdoctoral fellowship from the Fondation ARC (2018-2021), postdoctoral fellowship from the French League Against Cancer (2017), PhD fellowship from the French League Against Cancer (2013-2016)
- Travel grants: 2022 Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer Training Workshop (US), 2015 “Translating Cancer Epidemiology: From Cells to Clinic and Population” conference (US), 2014 WCRF scholarship for the International advanced course “Diet and Cancer: from prevention to survival” (The Netherlands)
- Distinctions: 2022 Young Talent - L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program, 2022 IARC Reward & Recognition “Champion of commitment to excellence in health research”, 2018 Best oral communication award during IARC’s Early Career Scientists’ Association Day, 2015 Best oral communication award at the French NACRe Network-Fondation ARC symposium
