Mélanie Delleuze De Prada, MSc

What’s the work that you do?

I am currently pursuing a joint PhD between the University of Chile and the Université Libre de Bruxelles. My research focuses on characterizing the gut microbiota of sea urchins of the genus Abatus in the context of a changing Southern Ocean. These sea urchins are particularly interesting because they are deposit feeders and brooders (they lack a larval stage and instead raise their juveniles in marsupial cavities) which limits their dispersal capacity. Our goal is to determine whether their microbiota may contribute to their resistance or resilience to rising temperatures. My work is highly interdisciplinary, as is the case for most researchers, and ranges from field sampling in Antarctica to experimental methods, laboratory analysis, bioinformatics, and scientific writing.

What keeps you going?

What I love most is being able to understand our environment a little better and generate valuable knowledge, all driven by a kind of childlike curiosity. Going out into the field in Antarctica is one of the most memorable moments for me; every experience there is unique and challenging, and it makes me deeply appreciate the power and magnificence of nature.
I also like the moment when I discover my results for the first time, it is incredibly exciting.

What’s your message to the world?

I want the world to understand that in nature there are no borders, and that the self-serving interests of a few are merely fleeting. We are part of a vast ecosystem that we must protect, preserve, and admire so that we, as a species, can continue to exist. The most inspiring thing about Antarctica is that it is a continent dedicated to peace and science. It shows us that we can work together, regardless of our differences, and solely for the common good. I truly wish that all continents and countries were dedicated to peace and science, just as Antarctica is.