Lea Cabrol correspondent of the IRD and MNHM in Chile

Léa Cabrol has been appointed correspondent to represent IRD in Chile. It also represents the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN).

Researcher in microbial ecology at the MIO, she is specialized in the functional role of microbial diversity involved in major biogeochemical cycles (methane, mercury). His current studies focus in particular on the microbial communities that produce and consume methane, which play a key role in the atmospheric emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas, whether in high latitudes subject to global warming (permafrost in Siberia and Alaska, Antarctic and subantarctic lakes), in tropical areas (hydroelectric reservoirs) or in marine sediments contaminated by intensive aquaculture, through numerous academic collaborations, particularly on the Latin American scale. Its projects also have an applied scope, with the study of bioprocesses for methane production as a solution for the treatment and energy recovery of effluents, in partnership with industry. Since September 2019, she has been assigned to the Universidad de Chile, Santiago, within the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, where she is involved in the "Genomic Antarctic Biodiversity" project.