2013-2016 : PhD (in preparation) in Ecology, Aix-Marseille University. Forest response to different drought scenarios applied to middle and long term in natural area, study of BVOC from Quercus pubescens Willd., a principal isoprene-emitting species in Méditerranée (Dir. C. Fernandez et E. Ormeño).

2011-2013 : Master in environmental sciences, speciality biodiversity sciences and mediterranean ecology at Aix-Marseille-University.

2010-2011 : Licence in terrestrial and environmental sciences, speciality ecology of disrupted ecosystems at Aix-Marseille-University.

2008-2010 : DUT in biology, speciality environment at Auvergne University.

2013 : Research training course (Master II, 6 months) at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE) : Study on the deday of Lavenders and their resistance to drought (Dir. A. Bousquet-Mélou, E. Ormeño et C. Fernandez).

2012 : Research training course (Master I, 3 months) at IMBE : Characterization of Astragalus tragacantha seedlings on Escalette for an ecological restoration (Dir. I. Laffont-Schwob et J. Rabier).

2011 : Research training course (Licence III, 2 months) at IMBE : Study of Astragalus tragacantha seedings on polluted soils for an ecological restoration (Dir. I. Laffont-Schwob et V. Masotti).

2010 : Training course (DUT, 6 months) at Otago University (New-Zealand) : Impac of agriculture on aquatic ecosystems of the region of Dunedin (Dir. G. Closs).

2009 : Training course (DUT, 2 months) at Auvergne University : Study of the implantation of diatomite quarry on Nouvialle’s narse, an area with high ecological value (Dir. JP. Favre).

Field work : Coordination of in situ experiments, implementation of sampling in natural areas (sampling of plant material).

Analytical chemistry : analyses of volatile compounds by PTR-MS and GC-MS, analyses of terpenes by GC-MS, analyses of phenolic compounds by UPLC-MS, dosages with spectrophotometry.

Vegetal ecophysiology : Use of enclosure chambers, follow-up of ecophysiological parameters (photosynthesis and stomatal conductance) with gas analysers, characterization of environmental stress, use of portable fluorimeters to dose in vivo phenolic compounds and estimate the photosynthetic activity.

IT tools : Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Endnote (bibliography), R and Statgraphics (statistical analyses), Chemstation and Compass (analytical chemistry).

Languages : French (mother) ,English

Volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites are compounds stepping in protection against biotic and abiotic stress by improving survival in environment. Isoprene is the mainly volatile secondary metabolite emitted by plants. It could be a protection against oxidative damage caused by ROS, produced during a water stress, for instance. Moreover, isoprene can react with NOx to form tropospheric ozone or be oxidized to form aldehydes or ketones in the atmosphere. Non-volatile secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are known to protect plants against heat stress.
With global change, models plan an increase of summer drought in mediterranean region for the end of this century. We can expect an increase of temperatures (+3.4°C) and a decrease of natural rain (-30%). With these new environmental conditions, plants could invest more in secondary metabolites production compared to primary metabolites (such as sugars...) and growth, according to ecological theories. These potential modifications can have consequences on health and growth of forests but also, on air quality. My PhD subject is to characterize these potential changes to determine the behavior of Quercus Pubescens in front of global change.

2015
Saunier A., Ormeño E., Wortham H., Temime-Roussel B., Fernandez C. A deeper look at the response of oxygenated and non oxygenated VOC to mid-term drought over the seasonal cycle : the case study of a drought-resistant species. European Geosciences Union General assembly, Vienna, Austria, 12.04 - 17.04.2015, (Poster).

Saunier A., Ormeño E., Despinasse Y., Moja S., Nicolè F., Baudino S, Fernandez C., Bousquet-Mélou A. Contribution of Lavenders to air quality : study of terpene emission under water scarcity. Aix-Marseille and the mediterranean : scientific challenges and collaborations, Marseille, France, 12.02 -13.02.2015, (Poster).

2014
Saunier A., Ormeño E., Despinasse Y., Moja S., Nicolè F., Baudino S, Fernandez C., Bousquet-Mélou A. Contribution of Lavenders to air quality : study of terpene emission under water scarcity. Gordon Research Conferences on Biogenic hydrocarbons and the atmosphere, Girona, Spain, 29.06 -04.07.2014, (Poster).

2015
Saunier A., Ormeño E., Wortham H., Temime-Roussel B., Fernandez C. A deeper look at the response of oxygenated and non oxygenated VOC to mid-term drought over the seasonal cycle : the case study of a drought-resistant species. Congress of graduate school, Cassis, France, 21.03 - 22.03.2015, (Poster).

2014
Saunier A. Forest response to global change, study of secondary metabolites of Quercus pubescens. PhD students’day of IMBE, Marseille, France, 09.07.2014, (Oral communication).

Saunier A. Impact of water stress on isoprene emissions of Quercus pubescens. PhD sutdents’day of ADEME, Angers, France, 02.02 - 04.02.2014, (Poster).