"If we can really understand the problem, the answer will come out of it, because the answer is not separate from the problem" - Jiddu Krishnamurti (Indian philosopher, 1895 - 1986)
INTRODUCTION
I was born and raised in France. I grew up, studied, and worked there for 25 years. While my childhood and my student years were in Paris, I moved for my work, and I was living in the North of France. In that area, the weather is cloudy for almost 300 days yearly. During those days, there were so many clouds that you did not know where the sun was. So, you can easily imagine how much I like to live in LA ... After several decades in France, I wanted to experience a new challenge and be exposed to a new environment where I could serve more as an educator, so I left to reach the USA and, more specifically, Cal State LA.
I am a Professor in Mechanical Engineering. My domain of expertise in teaching is solid mechanics, and my research is related to the mechanics of materials and computational mechanics with a focus on soft polymers (rubber-like materials and composites) and bio-polymers (biodegradable polymers and biological tissue) for application in BioMedical Engineering and Polymer Sustainability.
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
During my career, I taught many fields of Mechanical Engineering. My teaching activities have focused on solid mechanics over the last two decades, my teaching activities have been more focused on solid mechanics. The courses I taught at Cal State LA are:
- ME 2010 - Statics,
- ME 2050 - Strength of Materials,
- ME 3200 - Dynamics,
- ME 3210 - Kinematics of Mechanisms,
- ME 4500 - Biomechanics of Human Movement,
- ME 4510 - Mechanics of Biological Tissues,
- ME 5810 - Continuum Mechanics
RESEARCH
My research activities are based on the triptych of mechanics of materials: experimental characterization, constitutive modeling, and numerical and computational methods.
I am more focused on soft polymers and bio-polymers. My activities can be summarized in 3 fields:
- Behavior, and damage of synthetic polymers (Oil-based and plant-based),
- Behavior of human soft tissue and medical implants,
- Development and design of Medical Devices for patient-specific surgery.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
The best way to have an updated list of publications and communications is to follow these links: Google Scholar or Scopus.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
H.D.R. Physics, specialization in Mechanical Engineering, 2005, University of Lille
Dissertation title: "Contribution à l'étude du comportment des milieux élastomères - Contribution to the study of the behavior of rubber-like materials "
The H.D.R., habilitation to supervise research (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches), is the highest French national higher-education diploma, requiring a dissertation and a defense, that can be obtained after a PhD and at least five years of independent research. It is the highest French diploma. This diploma allows the holder to supervise PhD students and apply for university Full professor positions, recognizing their high scientific level and research capabilities.
PhD. Mechanical Engineering 1999, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay
Dissertation title: "Homogénéisation et endommagement de composites élastomères par techniques de calcil parallèle - Computation of the Homogenized behavior and modeling of damage of hyperleastic composites materials using parallel computing techniques", with the distinction “très honorable avec félicitations du jury »
In the French academic system, "Très honorable avec les félicitations du jury" (meaning "Very Honorable, with Committee Praise") was the highest academic distinction awarded for a PhD, signifying exceptional work and research.
MS. Mechanical Engineering 1996, University Paris-Sorbonne, Paris VI
With the distinction “Mention très bien”
In the French academic system, "Mention Très Bien" (with very good mention) is the highest level of distinction awarded.
Agrégation de Mécanique (Mechanical Engineering Agrégation), French Ministry of Education and Higher Education
Agrégation is a highly competitive and prestigious examination for civil service in the French public education system, leading to a position as a "professeur agrégé" (a teacher in secondary schools, preparatory classes, or a lecturer in universities).
BS. Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Applied Mathematics 1993, University Paris-Sorbonne, Paris VI