Olivier Pringault is a microbial ecologist and director of research at UMR MIO. He joined the IRD in 2001 as a research officer in New Caledonia, where he conducted several studies on interactions between bacteria and metals, and on respiratory activity in pelagic environments. He then conducted research into the functioning of the microbial loop in tropical environments as a function of metal and organic inputs, and into the ecotoxicity of dredged sediments.
Following a number of missions carried out in collaboration with Tunisian research bodies, Olivier Pringault initiated the joint creation by the IRD and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Research of the COSYS-Med (Contaminants and Marine Ecosystems in the Southern Mediterranean) international laboratory, of which he is co-director. During his career, he has also taught marine ecology and microbiology in France, Fiji and Tunisia. From 2015 to 2019, he was representative in Tunisia.
Olivier Pringault will head the department with Marina Lévy, who remains deputy director.
Contact: oceans@ird.fr