LALOUM Tom

I did my doctoral studies in the Laboratory of Plant-Microbe-Environment Interactions (LIPME, Toulouse, France), where I worked on the symbiotic interaction between Medicago truncatula and Sinorhizobium meliloti. I focused specifically on the first signal exchange between the two partners, during which the perception of bacterial Nod Factors (NFs) in roots triggers the NF-signaling pathway. I defended my PhD in March 2013 and did a first short post-doc in the Lifschitz’ laboratory (Technion, Haifa, Israel). There, my research project aimed at identifying the genetic networks monitoring the response of plant meristems to florigenic signals in tomato. After my stay in Israel, I was granted a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to join the Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory led by Dr. Paula Duque at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC). The overall goal of my work has been to uncover the functional role and the molecular mode of action of a family of RNA-binding proteins called SR proteins during plant responses to abiotic stresses. Throughout my scientific career, I have kept presenting the progresses of my research at weekly labmeetings and delivered talks in departmental seminars as well as prestigious congresses. In addition, I have largely contributed to the writing of my articles and I have assisted multiple times in teaching, preparation of grant proposals and supervision of students. Ever since completing my PhD, I have secured funding for my salary on a competitive basis. The research experience I acquired has equipped me with independent thinking, initiative and adaptation skills, as well as a broad spectrum of scientific knowledge. In addition, along my scientific path, I have gained expertise in a wide range of experimental techniques, including molecular biology, confocal microscopy, protein biochemistry and plant physiology.