Portraits and testimonials

Discover our selection of portraits and testimonials of PhD Holders from French universities and institutions at different stages of their careers and in a wide variety of sectors. They were selected in late 2025 by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space to serve as doctoral ambassadors.

Their mission

Their three-year volunteer assignment aims to help raise awareness of the doctoral degree and enhance its visibility within society and the business community.

Together, they work to

  • Embody the diversity of PhDs' career paths and the range of possibilities open to them
  • Share and promote best practices in recruitment and career management for PhDs
  • Promote doctoral programs to employment sectors in each region and contribute to developing links between doctoral schools and the employment sectors for PhDs.

How and why were they chosen?

They were selected by multiple stakeholders, from universities and institutions awarding doctoral degrees to the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, as well as its regional delegations. They ensured that the network as a whole reflected:

  • The diversity of sectors of activity (academic, corporate R&D, public sector, non-profit associations,...)
  • The diversity of disciplines and career paths
  • A balance between men and women, as well as representation from French regions and territories
  • A wide range of professional experience (from early-career roles to management or executive positions)
  • A commitment to promoting doctoral studies and doctoral graduates.

Pages

Rafik Benrabbah

PhD ambassador in region Île-de-France, doctor in Physics-chemistry, Rafik Benrabbah is manager and senior expert consultant at EQUAD RCC, specializing …

  • PhD field: Chemistry

  • Sector: Industry

  • PhD field: Physics

  • Region : Paris' region

Sylvie Retailleau

PhD Ambassador in region Île-de-France, Sylvie Retailleau is currently the President of Universcience (a public institution that includes the Palais …

  • PhD field: Physics

  • Region : Paris' region

  • Sector: Academia

Sarah Colombani

PhD ambassador in region Occitanie, Sarah Colombani, doctor in Biology-Health, is president of a biotechnology start-up (OcciCal Therapeutics).

  • Sector: Corporate R&D

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship

  • Region: Occitanie

  • PhD field: Biology,medicine,health

Catherine Truffert

PhD ambassador in region Centre Val de Loire, Doctor of Geodynamics, Catherine Truffert is president of the company IRIS Instruments, …

  • Sector: Corporate R&D

  • Region: Centre-Val de Loire

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship

  • PhD field: Earth and Universe Sciences

Frantz Jean-François

PhD ambassador in Guadeloupe, Doctor of Physical Chemistry, Frantz Jean-François is founder and CEO of Sirius Biotech Ventures (biotechnology company …

  • Region: Guadeloupe

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship

  • PhD field: Physics

  • Sector: Corporate R&D

Stéphane Altaba

PhD ambassador in region Grand Est, with a doctorate in Biological Sciences, Stéphane Altaba is the CEO of Oncovita, a …

  • Sector: Corporate R&D

  • Region: Grand Est

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship

  • PhD field: Biology, medicine, health

Pierre Plantard

PhD Ambassador in region Brittany, holder of a PhD in Sport Sciences (STAPS), Pierre Plantard founded and leads Moovency, a …

  • Region: Brittany

  • PhD field: Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship

Carlo Baghetti

PhD Ambassador in region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, holder of a PhD in Italian Literature, Carlo Baghetti is a lecturer and researcher …

  • Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

  • PhD field: Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Sector: Academia

Inès de Bort

PhD Ambassador in region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, holder of a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in urban acoustics, Inès de Bort is …

  • Region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine

  • PhD field: Engineering Sciences

  • Sector: Corporate R&D

  • Sector: Entrepreneurship