L’Institut Jacques Monod (CNRS | Université Paris Cité) est fier de vous annoncer que Ludivine ROUMBO, doctorante dans le laboratoire “Cycle cellulaire et développement” est lauréate du Prix Jeunes Talents France 2025 Fondation L’Oréal – UNESCO Pour les Femmes et la Science !
The Institut Jacques Monod (CNRS | Université Paris Cité) is proud to announce that Ludivine Roumbou, a doctoral student in the Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, is one the award winner of the 2025 Rising Talents France 2025 from the L’Oréal Foundation -UNESCO for Women in Science!
Interview conducted by the L’Oréal-UNESCO Foundation
Originally from Guadeloupe, Ludivine Roumbo has traveled across continents to pursue her passion for science. From her first experiments in the laboratory to her thesis on cell division, she has devoted herself to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of life. Her journey, marked by perseverance, reflects a thirst for knowledge and a desire to help others. She is also actively committed to sharing her experience and inspiring young people, particularly through her former high school and her volunteer work with the Civil Protection Agency.
What are the challenges of your research and its applications?
In the short term, my research aims to better understand how cells organize their division in time and space during embryonic development and throughout life to maintain the proper functioning of organisms. We have identified a new family of proteins involved in these processes. In the longer term, the goal is to decipher the precise role of these proteins in order to better understand the mechanisms that trigger cell division. Understanding how the mechanisms that allow a cell to divide only once and at a specific time work will enable us to specifically target the defective mechanisms in the uncontrolled division of cancer cells, for example. The study of a key protein in the cell cycle called PP2A could lead to the development of new inhibitors specific to cancer cells, without affecting healthy cells.
Why did you choose a career in science?
Growing up in Guadeloupe, my parents, through their eco-museum dedicated to preserving Caribbean pharmacopoeia, instilled in me a desire to understand how plants heal, steering me toward biology and fundamental research. My admission to Sorbonne University was a confidence booster. I also appreciate the diversity of tasks involved in a thesis: theoretical and practical learning, synthesis of results, and knowledge transfer. This versatility allows me to learn constantly without ever getting bored.
In your career, have you encountered any difficulties as a woman?
A persistent feeling of illegitimacy sometimes held me back at the beginning of my thesis. The pressure to perform is strong, especially when you see that women in positions of responsibility have sometimes had to make personal sacrifices. Despite this, I am persistent, seeking to understand and progress. I believe in collaboration and a supportive work environment.
About the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO
The L’Oréal Foundation is committed to supporting women scientists at every stage of their careers, from inspiring young girls to pursue science to recognizing excellence among established researchers. This commitment is reflected in an intergenerational approach and dedicated programs.
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to peace and security by promoting multilateral cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, communication, and information. The Organization, which has made gender equality a cross-cutting priority of its mandate, works to remove barriers that hinder women’s access to scientific careers, highlight their contribution to research, and promote equal opportunities in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In partnership with UNESCO, the L’Oréal Foundation has been running the international For Women in Science program since 1998. This program aims to accelerate the careers of women scientists, remove the obstacles they face, and inspire younger generations to embrace scientific careers. To date, the program has supported more than 4,700 women researchers from over 140 countries, promoting scientific excellence and encouraging many young women to pursue scientific studies.
© Crédit photo : © Fondation L’Oréal