A lecturer-researcher at Mines Saint-Étienne, Stéphane Avril has once again been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant for his high-quality work on the mechanics of human tissues.
This time, Stéphane Avril is being recognised for his visionary project focused on controlling the mechanical wear of tissues in order to delay the effects of arterial ageing. He is among the 37 French researchers honoured by the European Commission. The award of this ERC grant (Advanced category) will enable him to continue innovating and pushing the boundaries of the mechanics of human tissues.
A lecturer-researcher at Mines Saint-Étienne, Stéphane Avril is passionate about biology. He studies the mechanics of the matter that makes up the human body. This discipline, at the intersection of physics and biology, seeks to understand how tissues withstand deformation and the forces applied to them, for how long, and to what extent their functions are altered as a result.
Juven Twin project
His current research aims to minimise the impact of arterial ageing by controlling the mechanical forces exerted on cells. His project, called Juven Twin, builds on his collaboration with international experts in mechanics and biology. Many studies show that it is indeed possible to slow ageing, but in an uncontrolled way.
Juven Twin is part of a body of work being carried out worldwide on arterial ageing and rejuvenation, favouring clinical and biological approaches, complemented by a mechanical approach thanks to Stéphane Avril.
These ERC grants will enable Stéphane Avril and Ange Nzihou, a lecturer-researcher at IMT Mines Albi who has also been recognised for his work on heat storage in heavy industry, to pursue their ambitious and high-risk projects, thereby opening up new avenues for innovation in their respective fields. With funding of around €2.5 million over a 5-year period, these projects are intended to push back the boundaries of scientific knowledge and have a significant impact on society.
This recognition also highlights the excellence of the research carried out in the schools of the Institut Mines-Télécom, by showcasing the Institute’s unwavering commitment to the major societal challenges of the 21st century, particularly in the digital, industrial and energy fields.
