MD rheumatologist (Hospital Cochin Paris 1984-90), PhD Neurosciences (CNRS (1986-1990)), Astronaut, Politician, CEO of a public establishment

Astronaut with 2 space missions: Selected by CNES (French space agency) in 1985 as an astronaut candidate, training in Star City Russia from 1992, first space mission (16 days ) on board Mir space station in 1996, became a member of the European Astronaut Corps for ESA (European Space Agency) in 1999, second space mission (10 days) onboard the ISS in 2001.

Part of the French Government under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, as delegate minister for research (2002-2004) and then delegate minister for European Affairs (2004-2005)

Advisor to ESA’s DG for European space strategy (2005-2009)

CEO of Universcience « science museum »(Palais de la Découverte + Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie) (2009-2015)

Senior advisor to ESA’s DG (2015-2020)

Member of Foundations supporting STEM in education and innovation (Fondation L’Oreal, Fondation AIRBUS, Fondation CGenial)

 

Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur

Docteur Honoris Causa (EPFL, Université de Mons, Université Catholique de Louvain), Beihang University (Beijing)

Membre  of the French Académie des Technologies, Académie des Sports, Académie des Sciences de l’Outre-Mer, Membre of the Académie des Sciences de Belgique

Colonel  (ADER network) in La Réserve Citoyenne de l’Armée de l’Air