Postdoctoral researcher in Microbiology & Biotechnology

melanie.pierra@gmail.com

Dr Melanie Pierra

LabMET (Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology)  
Ghent University

Born May 2nd, 1984 in Migennes, France. 
Nationality: French
Driving license
Sex: Female

Voir le profil de Melanie Pierra
 
Follow @pierramel

 ResearchGate 


Keywords :

“Hands-on” Technical tool kit :

• Process : Anaerobic process, Mixed & Pure culture, Anoxic conditions,
• Electrochemistry analysis: Chronoamperometry, Cyclic voltammetry
• Molecular biology : PCR,DNA Sequencing data analysis, CE-SSCP
• Chemical analysis : HPLC, Gas Chromatography
• Computing : Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), R (basics), Autocad, Epanet, HTML.

Languages (speaking reading & writing) :

• French : native
• English : Independant
• Spanish :both speaking and writing basic
• Dutch : level 1 (Nederland house, Ghent)

Education :

• 2010 - 2013 : PhD Student at the Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnologies (LBE), INRA (French national agronomy research institute) Narbonne, FRANCE, 
• 2007 - 2008 : MSc Water Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Limoges, Limoges, FRANCE 
• 2005 - 2008 : MSc in Water and Environment Engineering ENSIL (National engineer school of Limoges) Limoges, FRANCE,
• 2003 - 2005 Classes Preparatoires Poitiers, FRANCE, Intensive preparation for the competitive entrance exams to French engineering schools.

Membership :
    ISMET : International Society for Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (www.ismet.ugent.be)

Research experience :

• Jan 2015 – Today : Postdoc at LabMET 
• LabMET (Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology), Ghent University, Belgium
• Study of interface between electrode and biofilm in Bioelectrochemichal systems
• Enrichment of autotrophic microbial community for Electrosynthesis in saline conditions

• Oct 2010 – Dec 2013 : PhD in environmental biotechnology: Coupling dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis for hydrogen production. 
• Main skills developped : Anaerobic process, pure culture in anoxic conditions, bioelectrochemical technics, molecular biology (PCR, CE-SSCP), 
• Manuscript available online in ProdINRA open archives.
• INRA - LBE, Narbonne, FRANCE, INRA (French national agronomy research institute) LBE (Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnologies) Involved in the Defi H12 project financed by French National Research Agency (ANR) 
• (5 publications, 5 oral communications) 
• Supervisors: Dr Nicolas Bernet, Dr Eric Trably.
• My thesis committee wich played a critical role for my researches all along the project was composed with Dr Alain Bergel (LGC-CNRS) and Dr Theodore Bouchez (BIOMIC-IRSTEA) and Dr Jean Jacques Godon (LBE-INRA)

Biohydrogen production from dark fermentation is limited because of the associated production of organic acids. These by products can be used as substrates in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), since electroactive biofilms can completely convert organic matter into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This work aims at analyzing, in the context of the coupling of those two processes and for each one, the relationship between microbial community structures and the associated macroscopic functions. The originality of this study is to work in saline conditions (30-35 gNaCl/L), which favors the charges transfer in the MEC electrolyte but is poorly studied in dark fermentation. Results showed a high selection of microorganisms in both processes associated to good hydrogen production performances. Some of whom are poorly characterized until now. An iron-enrichment method to enrich electroactive bacteria is also proposed. Finally in coupling situation, the introduction of biomass originated from dark fermentation could result to a decrease of biofilm activity.

Graphical abstract of PhD project :
Coupling dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis for hydrogen production : 
Formation and conservation of electroactive biofilm

In this diagram, the maximum theoretical conversion of one molecule of glucose is shown with the maximum stoichiometric conversions in two fermentation processes (left) and microbial electrolysis cell MEC (right). Fermentation is shown schematically by considering only the acetate pathway. The microbial electrolyser is shown diagrammatically by an anode on wich a microbial biofilm is grown, symbolized by a bacterium (left) and a cathode (right) separated by an ion exchange membrane. The electrolyser is supplied by a generator. Hydrogen production by both dark fermentation (maximum 4molH2 / molglucose with 2molacétate / molglucose within the acetate pathway of hydrogen production) and MEC (maximum 4molH2 / molacétate) would be closer to the complete conversion of glucose to hydrogen : 12molH2 / molglucose.

Melanie Pierra PhD defense : Coupling dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis for hydrogen production : formation and conservation of electroctive biofilm. from melaniepierra

• Feb 2008 – June 2008 : MSc internship 2 : Study of sludge/metals interactions in heat treatment process. Main skills developped : Characterization of sludge (biochemical composition, settling, surface and structure properties of flocs), heat treatment of sludge, study of sorption mecanisms of metals (Cu, Cd).GRESE – University of Limoges, Limoges, FRANCE, GRESE (Water, soil and environment research group) (3 Publications, 4 oral Communications) 
• Supervisors: Dr Magali Casellas, Dr Christophe Dagot
• My MSc was involved in Dr Julien Laurent's PhD project

Thermal treatment effect on heavy metals uptake capacities of activated sludge has been investigated in respect with potential modification of sludge surface properties. The studied temperature range was from 45°C to 120°C. Thermal treatment leads to organic matter solubilisation and the order of solubilisation is humic acids > proteins > sugars. It also permits physical, chemical and structural modifications of sludge reducing SVI, sludge average size and hydrophobicity with increasing temperature treatment. In the soluble fraction, thermal treatment leads to apparition and/or increasing of sugar, humic acid and protein characteristics pKa, which confirms results about solubilisation of those components. Thermal treatment increases the studied heavy metals uptake (copper and cadmium) on activated sludge. The different mechanisms involved in this uptake phenomenon are: a) for the copper: complexation with dissolved organic matter, adsorption, ion exchange, proton exchange and precipitation and b) for the cadmium: complexation with dissolved organic matter, adsorption and ion exchange.

Graphical Abstract of MSc project :
Characterization of sludge (biochemical composition, settling, surface and structure properties of flocs), heat treatment of sludge, study of sorption mecanisms of metals (Cu, Cd)

• June 2007 – August 2007 : MSc internship 1 : Characterization of bioaugmentation starter cultures and PAH isolates 
• Main skills developped : Growth kinetics, phenotypic identification, PCR,  
• Napier University (Edinburgh - Scotland) in partnership with Environment Reclamation Services (ERS) Ltd (Glasgow - Scotland) 
• Supervisors: Dr Fiona Stainsby, Dr Floriane Leglise

Teaching experience :

Feb 2014
Qualification from the French National Universities Council for associate professor positions

• Section n°62 (Power engineering, process engineering)
• Section n°64 (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

Feb 2013 – August 2013
INRA - LBE Narbonne, FRANCE, 
Supervision of MSc student : Caroline Rivalland
Subject: Ecology engineering of microbial ecosystems.

2010 – 2013
IUT GCGP Narbonne, FRANCE, 
Experimental course on analytical chemistry and biochemistry (72H)
Lecture on Bioelectrochemical systems (4H)
Comity for training defense

Sept 2006 – May 2007
Inspection académique - Elementary school of Limoges, Limoges, FRANCE, 
Lecture and experimental courses 
Subject: interactions of plants and environment
In partnership with the “Inspection académique” (local education authority) in the context of ASTEP project (for the Support of Science and Technology in Primary School)

Other work experience :

Juil 2008 – Sept 2010
Engineer in Project management
PRIMA Ingénierie Sète, FRANCE, 
Wastewater treatment, drinking water production, urban hydraulic, waste management.
Design, supervision and technical inspections of building sites.

Juil 2006 – August 2006
Trainee Characterisation of urban waste in a developing country 
Installation of a research laboratory, Physical and chemical characterization of waste
EPAU (Architecture and urbanism polytechnical school) in partnership with the landfill site of Ouled Fayet, Alger, ALGERIA,
Supervisors: Dr Guy Matejka, Dr Youcef Khehila


Publications (my citations):

1. PIERRA M., CARMONA A., TRABLY E., GODON J-J, BERNET N. Microbial characterization of anode-respiring bacteria within biofilms developed from cultures previously enriched in dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (2015) Bioresource Technology doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.010 
   
2. PIERRA M., CARMONA A., TRABLY E., GODON J-J, BERNET N. Specific and efficient electrochemical selection of Geoalkalibacter subterraneus and Desulfuromonas acetoxidans in high current-producing biofilms. (2015) Bioelectrochemistry doi:10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.02.003
   
3. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J-J., BERNET N.   Fermentative hydrogen production under moderate halophilic conditions, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2014), 39 (14), 7508-7517  
   
   
   
4. CARMONA A., PIERRA M., TRABLY E., BERNET N. High current density via direct electron transfer by the halophilic anode respiring bacterium Geoalkalibacter subterraneus. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. (2013) 15 (45), 19699-19707 
   
5. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., PONS, M.N., DAGOT C., Fate of cadmium in activated sludge after changing its physico-chemical properties by thermal treatment, Chemosphere (2009), 77 (6) 771-777. 
6. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., PONS, M.N., DAGOT C. Activated Sludge Properties after ultrasonic and thermal treatments and their potential influence on dewaterability, Journal of Residuals Science & Technology (2009), 6(1) 19-25. 
7. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., DAGOT C., The Fate of heavy metals during thermal and ultrasound treatment of activated sludge. Environment Protection Engineering (2009), 35 (3) 5-15. 

Oral communications :

1. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J.J., BERNET N. Successful enrichment procedure for electroactive biofilm formation from environmental sample. MFC4 / 4th International Microbial Fuel Cell Conference, September 1st - 4th, 2013, Cairns, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
4ISMET, Melanie PIERRA from melaniepierra
2. CARMONA A., PIERRA M., TRABLY E., BERNET N. Electrochemical and microscopic characterization of the novel anode-respiring bacterium Geoalkalibacter subterraneus. MFC4 / 4th International Microbial Fuel Cell Conference, September 1st-4th, 2013, Cairns, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
3. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J.J., BERNET N.. Successful enrichment procedure for enhancing electron transfer in electroactive biofilms. Biofilm 5. December 10th-12th, 2012, Paris, FRANCE
4. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J.J., BERNET N. Fermentative hydrogen production under moderate halophilic conditions.  ICABHPA conference, December 14th-15th, Hyderabad, INDIA.
5. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., BONNAFOUS A., ABOUAKIL M., GODON J.J., BERNET N. Sélection et identification de bactéries électro-actives sur des anodes en graphite à potentiel contrôlé. January 24th – 26th 2012 –Les Biofilms au service des Biotechnologies. Narbonne, FRANCE.
6. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., DAGOT C., Thermal and ultrasound treatments of activated sludge : fate of cadmium and copper, 9th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, December 3rd-6th 2008, Girona, SPAIN
7. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., SALSABIL M.R., PROROT A., CASELLAS M., DAGOT C., Réduire à la source la production de boues dans les stations d’épuration urbaines : performances de solubilisation par les ultrasons, la température et l’ozone, 1er colloque francophone sur les matériaux, les procédés et l’environnement, June 1st-6th 2009 , Busteni, ROMANIA
8. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., DAGOT C., The fate of heavy metals during thermal and ultrasound treatment of activated sludge, International Workshop organized by the Scientific Network "Pollutant pathways and mitigation strategies of their impact on the ecosystems", September 14th-17th 2008, Kazimierz Dolny, POLAND
9. LAURENT J., PIERRA M., CASELLAS M., PONS M.N., DAGOT C. Activated sludge properties after ultrasonic and thermal treatments and their potential influence on dewaterability. ECSM’08, September 1st-2nd 2008, Liège, BELGIUM

Posters :


1. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., BONNAFOUS A., GODON J.J., BERNET N., High selection and identification of electricigen bacteria from graphite anode biofilm under a controlled potential: Geoalkalibacter subterraneus as a new electricigen. European International Society for Microbial Electrochemical Technologies Meeting, September 27th-28th 2012, Ghent, BELGIUM  

2. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J.J., BERNET N., Enrichment method for selecting efficient electroactive biofilms. European International Society for Microbial Electrochemical Technologies Meeting, September 27th-28th 2012, Ghent, BELGIUM.

3. PIERRA M., TRABLY E., GODON J.J., BERNET N., Efficient  hydrogen production by dark fermentation in saline environment. WHEC / World hydrogen Energy Conference, June 3rd-7th 2012, Toronto, CANADA.