POPPI members
Permanent staff
| Mohamed BABA | Prof. UCA |
| Pierre-Olivier BUSSIERE | Prof. Clermont Auvergne INP, leader of POPPI group |
| Julien CHRISTMANN | Assist. prof. UCA |
| Jean-Luc GARDETTE | Emeritus prof. UCA |
| Yael ISRAELI | Assist. prof. UCA |
| Florence JESTIN | Assist. prof. Clermont Auvergne INP |
| Sandrine THERIAS | CNRS research director, leader of the Photochemsitry team |
Non-permanent staff
PhD students
Lou BRETON (CIFRE thesis since Nov. 2024)
About me
I graduated from Sigma Clermont (2024) as an engineer specialized in chemistry, with an option in 'Structural and Materials Engineering.' Outside of my professional activities, I am passionate about endurance sports such as trail running, running, and triathlon.
About my project
As part of my thesis, I am focusing on the photochemical aging of diene elastomers used in tire manufacturing, combined with fillers and mechanical stresses. My goal is to understand the mechanisms involved in tire aging to improve their end-of-life management. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Michelin (BioDLab Joint Laboratory), under the supervision of Dr. Sandrine THERIAS and Prof. Pierre-Olivier BUSSIERE.
Alexy DUCHAMP (CIFRE thesis since Jan. 2024)
About me
I hold a Master's degree in Chemistry, specializing in 'Functional Materials' from the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA, 2023). I am passionate about hunting. About my project
My thesis focuses on the study of the photodegradation of polyethylene films containing recycled material, particularly the impact of contaminants. This work is part of the Joint Laboratory POPBA in collaboration with the Barbier Group and is supervised by Brunot Bouchut (Barbier Group), Dr. Sandrine THERIAS and Dr. Julien CHRISTMANN.
Chloé POLIDO (CIFRE thesis since Oct. 2025)
About me
I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, specializing in Advanced Materials, from the University of Bordeaux (2025). In my free time, I enjoy crocheting and cooking.
My thesis focuses on studying the durability and recyclability of polymer-modified bitumens, describing their sensitivity to thermal and photochemical aging through an understanding of the mechanisms involved. This project is in collaboration with the Vinci Construction Research Center and is supervised by Prof. Pierre-Olivier BUSSIERE, Dr. Julien CHRISTMANN, and Dr. Yaël ISRAELI.
Lucas ROSSI (ANR thesis since Nov. 2025)
About me
I am a chemical engineer, graduating from CY Tech in 2025 with a specialization in polymer chemistry. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing various sports, including trail running, weightlifting, and tennis.
My thesis project aims to investigate the use of fluorescent probes to enhance the sensitivity of detecting architectural (macromolecular) and structural (chemical) changes in polymers during their (photo)aging. This research is conducted in collaboration with the Laboratory of Photochemistry and Macromolecular Engineering (LPIM, Mulhouse), under the supervision of Dr. Sandrine THERIAS, Dr. Julien CHRISTMANN, and Prof. Christian Ley (LPIM).
Nicolle STURZBECHER TOCCHETTO (ANR thesis since Apr. 2024)
About me
I am a Materials Engineer graduated from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) with a double degree in Materials and Advanced Processes for Future Transportation from the École des Mines d'Albi-Carmaux. In my free time, I enjoy swimming or painting with watercolors. About my project
My thesis project aims to study the photodegradation mechanisms of photopolymers intended for 3D printing and is part of the ANR project '3Durable' in association with the Laboratory of Photochemistry and Macromolecular Engineering (LPIM, Mulhouse) and the Charles Sadron Institute (Strasbourg). This thesis is conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sandrine THERIAS and Dr. Julien CHRISTMANN.
Post-doctoral researchers
Dr. Mbaye DIENG (BioDLab common laboratory since Jan. 2024)
About me
I completed my Master's in Organic Chemistry at the University of Limoges and my doctorate at the University of Paris-Est Créteil, within the Institut Polytechnique de Paris ('Design of polymer-functionalized nanomaterials for applications in gas sensors and water purification', 2020-2023). About my project
This post-doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with Michelin and the Institute of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand, focuses on the study of the abiotic degradation of elastomers. The aim is to understand how aging affects the chemical structure of these materials, particularly under the influence of light and temperature. It is part of the BIODLab joint laboratory between ICCF and Michelin.
Temporary Teaching and Reserach Assistant
Dr. Taha CHABBAH (since Sept. 2025)
About me
Passionate chemist specializing in the design of sustainable polymer materials, I hold an engineering degree in analytical chemistry and instrumentation, as well as a PhD in chemistry from INRAP (Tunisia). My doctoral research (2018–2021) focused on the non-food valorization of chiral diols derived from biomass to produce high-value polymers. I also spent three years at INSA, working on collaborative projects with industrial partners to develop innovative solutions for polymer synthesis, recycling, and valorization. Beyond the lab, I am an avid runner (marathoner) and hiking enthusiast.
My research activity is part of the at the Institut de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF).
Engineers
Benjamin CARVALHO-MENDES (Pacte de Recherche AURA since Oct. 2025)
About me
I hold an engineering degree in Materials Science from SeaTech, the engineering school of the University of Toulon (2025). I completed this program through an apprenticeship at Michelin (2025). In my free time, I enjoy weightlifting and am passionate about automobiles.
My work focuses on studying the photodegradation of polyethylene films used in agricultural greenhouse design. This project is part of the joint POPBA laboratory, in collaboration with the Barbier Group, and is supervised by Dr. Sandrine THERIAS and Dr. Julien CHRISTMANN.
Alumni
PhD students
| First name NAME | Funding (period) | Future |
| Lucas AINE | CIFRE IPC (2022-2025) | Project leader in polymer degradation (IPC) |
| Jean-Sébastien Barbier | ANR Sediplast (2021-2024) | ATER Photochemistry/Clermont Auvergne INP |
| Nathan LESAGE | CIFRE Bacacier (2021-2024) | Looking for a job |
| Zhouyun CHEN | UCA (2020-2023) | R&D engineer (SINOPEC, China) |
| Clara THORAL | CIFRE Trelleborg (2020-2023) | R&D engineer (Michelin) |
| Camille BLIVET | CIFRE Nexans (2018-2021) | R&D engineer (Plastic Omnium) |
| Margot PLIQUET | CIFRE Schneider Electric (2017-2020) | R&D engineer - Material recycling (INES) |
| Eric-Aimé POUTOUGNIGNI | UCA (2016-2019) | Process engineer (Rio Tinto) |
| Géraldine RAPP | CIFRE EDF joint supervision with INSA Lyon (2016-2018) | In professional retraining |
| Coralie AVENEL | CEA (2015-2018) | R&D project manager (ISOPROC) |
| Ahmedou SIDI | IRSN (2013-2016) | Assistant professor in Mauritania |
| Camille ROUILLON | CIFRE Renault (2012-2015) | Senior Scientist (Owens Corning) |
| Alexis COLIN | CIFRE AREVA (2012-2015) | Business manager (Centre de Transfert de Technologie du Mans, CTTM) |
| Anthony CHAPEL | UCA joint supervision with ML group from MI team (2012-2016) | Physical chemistry engineer (Vermon) |
| Patrick BOLDRIGHINI | CEA (2012-2015) | R&D Coatings Engineer (Chase Corporation, USA) |
| Aurélien TOURNEBIZE | CEE ESTABLIS joint supervision with Tübingen University (Germany, 2012-2015) | R&D engineer (Centre National d'Evaluation de Photoprotection, CNEP) |
| Ievgeniia TOPOLNIAK | CEE ESTABLIS joint supervision with Slovak University of Technology (Slovakia, 2012-2015) | Post-doctoral researcher (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, BAM, Germany) |
| Isabel FRAGA DOMINGUEZ | CEE ESTABLIS joint supervision with Aston University (UK, 2012-2015) | Team Manager (LPKF WeldingQuipment BmbH, Germany) |
| Anthony PERTHUE | Région Auvergne (2011-2014) | Engineer (POPPI) |
Post-doctoral researchers
| First name NAME | Funding (period) | Future |
| Dr. Mohammed HOUSSAT | France Relance "Autocicatrisation" (2022-2023) | R&D engineer (AVOCarbon) |
| Dr. Camille BLIVET | Thales (2021-2022) | R&D engineer (Plastic Omnium) |
| Dr. Géraldine RAPP | ARCELOR (2019) + ANR Labcom POPBA (2019-2020) | In professional retraining |