Exposum Institute

A Look Back at the ExposUM Institute's Annual Event – Thursday, October 16, 2025

Published on in News

As it does every year, the ExposUM Institute held its annual event, which took place on October 16, 2025. Unlike previous years, this gathering had a special significance: the institute is entering a pivotal year and is about to reach the symbolic milestone of its midpoint.

This highlight of the exposome community brought together researchers, faculty, students, and partners to discuss key issues in the fields of the exposome and environmental health. Through progress reports, presentations of innovative projects, and future outlooks, the day highlighted the richness of collaborations between research, education, and society. In particular, participants had the opportunity to hear presentations from several recipients of the Institute’s calls for proposals, demonstrating the dynamism and diversity of the topics supported.

These presentations provided an opportunity for rich and stimulating discussions on topics as varied as persistent pollutants, antimicrobial resistance, and the impact of the environment on brain development.

In a friendly and dynamic atmosphere, this year’s event reaffirmed the central role of the ExposUM Institute in understanding and managing the interactions between the environment and health, while paving the way for new opportunities in the years ahead, particularly in research, education, and science-society dialogue.

Program

Event moderated by Camille Couralet, Head of the Scientific Initiatives Support Office, Division of Structural Programs, University of Montpellier

  • 12:00 p.m.: Cocktail Reception
  • 1:30–2:00 p.m.: Introductory remarksby
    Philippe Augé—President of the University of Montpellier
    Nadia Pellefigue—Vice President for Higher Education, Research, European Affairs, and International Relations—Occitanie Region
  • 2:00–2:40 p.m.: The ExposUM Institute: Presentation of Current Calls for Proposals and Future Prospects
    • Introductory Remarks
      Pascal Demoly – Directorof the ExposUM Institute
    • Research, Interface, and Training Initiatives
      , Mircea Sofonea –ResearchDirector– UMRPCCEI,UM, INSERM, University of the Antilles & Nîmes University Hospital
      Aurélie Binot –Head of the Interface Division– CIRAD
      Charlotte Boullé – Head of the Training Division– UMRTransVIHMI. IRD, UM, INSERM, and Montpellier University Hospital
  • 2:40 p.m.–3:00 p.m.:Introduction to a Nexus
  • 3:00 p.m.–3:20 p.m.: Presentation of the AMI Interface project
  • 3:20 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.: Fellowships Conference
  • 3:50 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.: Presentation of ExposUM 2025 Research Projects
    • Effects of Persistent Pollutants on the Progression of Colorectal Cancers (COLOPIFAS).
      Vincent Cavailles–IRCM. INSERM, UM, ICM
    • RAMAC-One, Antimicrobial Resistance and Illicit Drugs in Central Africa: A One-Health Approach.
      Jérémy Campillo–UMR TransVIHMI. INSERM, IRD, UM
    • Impact of Chronic Exposure to Environmental Pollutant Residues on Brain Development.
      Karine Loulier – INM, INSERM U1298, UM
    • Wa3ve: Using the humoral response to study infectious agents.
      Antoine Gross – UMR IRIM, CNRS, UM
  • 5:10 p.m.: Closing remarks
    • Jacques Mercier –Vice President for Research at the University of Montpellier; Chair of the Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board (COSS) of the ExposUM Institute