Spotlight on the PHySE Research Team

Published on March 6, 2025 in Search

The Waterborne Pathogens, Health, and Environment (PHySE) team at UMR 5151 (HydroSciences Montpellier), co-led by Prof. Estelle Jumas-Bilak and Dr. Patricia Licznar-Fajardo, focuses on the study of new waterborne infectious risks, including those related to antibiotic resistance, the emergence of diseases, the vulnerability of populations and ecosystems, traditional and emerging risks in the Global South, as well as the need to develop new surveillance tools.

Research Areas

Compare the diversity and dynamics of pathogens in anthropogenic water systems and in humans, particularly vulnerable patients.
Understanding the mechanisms of evolution in waterborne pathogens: virulence, persistence, transmission, and resistance.
To study the interactions between hosts (humans, arthropod vectors), water, and pathogens in order to better understand their persistence and transmission.
Analyze the impact of climatic, hydrological, and abiotic factors on the emergence and spread of waterborne pathogens.
Linking the dynamics of bacteria and viruses in water to the epidemiology of human infectious diseases.
Identify and validate methodologies and indicators for studying and monitoring emerging infectious risks associated with or revealed by water, and propose control measures and integrated responses.

Hospital Services

Some members of the PHySE team are involved in hospital-based activities at the Department of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Resistance (SPIR) at Montpellier University Hospital and at the Laboratory of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene at Nîmes University Hospital. These strong ties with the hospital allow the PHySE team to address scientific issues in health and the environment related to hospital challenges.

In this context, the team is investigating the diversity, dynamics of microbial colonization, and adaptation of waterborne pathogens in the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis, who are particularly vulnerable to chronic lung infections caused by these pathogens.

The risk of infection is also studied in the hospital setting, focusing on the immediate patient environment, as well as the emergence, persistence, and spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems such as rivers, groundwater, wastewater, and coastal waters. Another example of the link between research activities and the hospital is the PHySE team, which was on the front lines during the COVID crisis and is now responsible for COVID epidemiological surveillance at the University Hospital.

A cross-functional and collaborative approach

Beyond its research topics, PHySE embodies the importance of collaborative work in science. Every member, from doctoral students to lab technicians, plays a key role in building knowledge and driving scientific innovation. Vincent Jean-Pierre’s work on Achromobacter and Isabelle Zorgniotti’s daily dedication exemplify this dynamic, where expertise and knowledge sharing come together to better understand and prevent waterborne infectious risks.

Vincent JEAN-PIERRE, pharmacist and biologist, University Hospital Assistant (AHU) in Bacteriology at the Nîmes University Hospital and the Faculty of Pharmacy in Montpellier

What is your background?

I began my studies in pharmacy in Montpellier, where I quickly developed an interest in teaching and research. I served as a teaching assistant in organic chemistry and also held the position of vice president of the Association of Pharmacy Teaching Assistants.

At the same time, I completed my first research internship in medicinal chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Vincent Lisowski, focusing on the synthesis of anticancer molecules. I then completed my “introductory research internship” in the bacteriology laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Hélène Marchandin, where I studied colonization by toxin-producing S. aureus in patients with cystic fibrosis. This immersion in microbiology confirmed my interest in the field.

I went on to complete a residency in Clinical Biology in Grenoble, while further developing my teaching and scientific skills through a university certificate in education and a Master’s degree in infectious diseases. My residency thesis on vaccine targets for the Epstein-Barr virus and my DES thesis on the serology of toxoplasmosis further enhanced my training in virology and medical diagnostics.

Why did you choose the boarding school program?

Coming from a family of teachers, I have always wanted to share my knowledge. My role as a tutor and my passion for bacteriology naturally led me to a residency program, which combines clinical practice with research.

Today, it is a true honor to serve as a university administrator at the faculty where I received my education and alongside the team that helped shape my career path.

What is your thesis about?

I am currently in my third year of PhD and am conducting my research as part of the PHySE team. My thesis, titled “Epidemiological Success of Opportunistic Pathogens of the Genus Achromobacter: A Study of Virulence and Persistence Factors,” aims to better understand how these bacteria manage to adapt, persist, and cause infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis.

My research explores mechanisms that have not yet been well characterized, such as siderophore production, cytotoxicity, antibiotic resistance, and the adhesion capacity of these bacteria—key factors in their virulence. By shedding light on these poorly understood aspects, this research could pave the way for new strategies to combat these opportunistic Achromobacter infections.

Is your hospital work related to your dissertation?

Although the Nîmes University Hospital does not have a Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Center (CRCM), my team collaborates with Dr. Raphaël Chiron of the Montpellier CRCM on several research projects, thereby enhancing the clinical relevance of my work.

How do you see the future?

I am working toward earning my PhD to pursue a career in academic medicine as a Senior Resident in Bacteriology.

Isabelle Zorgniotti, Senior Technician

A journey shaped by experience and motivation

I joined the laboratory in 1992 as a technical assistant in charge of the preparation area. There, I prepared and sterilized culture media and other reagents. I advanced in my career thanks to my motivation and the faculty members who trained me in microbiology techniques. I advanced through internal competitive exams, becoming a technician in 2012, then a senior technician in 2016, and a technician in the exceptional class in 2020.

A role that combines teaching and research

My time is divided between teaching and research. In my teaching role, I prepare and organize bacteriology lab sessions, oversee the equipment, and assist students during the sessions.

In my research, I work with the PHySE team at the UMR HydroSciences Montpellier, supporting doctoral students and interns on various projects related to health and water.

Applied research projects

I collaborate with the Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Center at Montpellier University Hospital. I participated in a study funded by “Vaincre la Mucoviscidose,” comparing bacteria in patients’ respiratory tracts with those in their home environments. As part of Vincent Jean-Pierre’s research, I worked on assessing the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

In another project with the University Hospital’s forensic medicine department, I helped develop a PCR technique to assist in determining the cause of death in cases of suspected drowning.

I am also involved in research on antibiotic resistance, currently working with a hydrogeology student from another HSM team to conduct bacteriological analyses of groundwater.

Essential support for students

I welcome and train doctoral students, master’s students, and pharmacy students by familiarizing them with laboratory protocols and best practices. I teach them techniques in bacteriology and molecular biology, as well as how to use the equipment. As the point of contact for orders, I advise them on the selection of reagents and consumables.

Together with my colleagues, we provide guidance and ensure that the research proceeds smoothly, thereby contributing to their training and scientific progress.