Claire Chenu

Claire Chenu is a Professor at AgroParisTech in the Department of Sciences and Engineering of Agriculture, Forestry, Water and Environment, and an INRA researcher specializing in soil science. Working between the Palace of Versailles and the Palace of Grignon, she has dedicated her career to understanding soil organic matter, which she considers a keystone of food security, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity. Her exceptional contributions earned her the INRA 2019 Agricultural Research Award.

Dr. Chenu's educational background includes:

• PhD in Earth, Ocean, Space (1985, University of Paris 7)
• DEA in Soil Science and Management (1982, University of Paris 7)
• Natural Sciences Agrégation with Earth Sciences option (1981)
• Master's in Natural Sciences and Geology (1980, University of Paris 6)
• ENS Fontenay-aux-Roses (1978-1982)

Professor Chenu's research focuses on the fundamental interactions between minerals and organic matter in soils. She pioneered innovative approaches using electron microscopy techniques to study soil structure and aggregation phenomena. Her groundbreaking work demonstrated that soil organization into aggregates controls carbon dynamics - a world-first discovery that positioned INRA teams at the forefront of soil science research. She continues to explore spatial heterogeneity of microbial activity in soil, examining hot spots of microbial activity and the fate of plant residues.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on soil carbon dynamics, organic matter persistence, and carbon sequestration potential. Her work spans multiple scales from submicron to national assessments, addressing critical questions about how agricultural practices impact soil carbon storage. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary approaches, combining soil science with climate science, environmental policy, and spatial analysis to address global challenges related to food security and climate change.

Professor Chenu's distinguished career has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• INRA 2019 Agricultural Research Award
• 2019 Philippe Duchaufour Prize from the European Geosciences Union
• 2017 Academic Palms
• 2016 Prize from the French Association for Soil Study
• Correspondent of the French Academy of Agriculture since 2015
• 2005 Jean Dufrenoy Prize from the French Academy of Agriculture

Throughout her career, Professor Chenu has actively mentored students and led significant research initiatives. She has directed the Soil Science Unit at INRA (1998-2003) and led the Organic Matter team at the Laboratory of Biogeochemistry and Continental Ecosystem Ecology (2004-2010). She coordinated major projects including MEPSOM (ANR 2010-2013) on multi-scale modeling of organic matter degradation and currently participates in the European EIJP Soil project (2020-2024). Her leadership extends to policy engagement as she served as Special Ambassador for the International Year of Soils (2015) and participates in the '4 per 1000' Initiative for soil carbon sequestration.

Professor Chenu currently works within the Functional Ecology and Agroecosystem Ecotoxicology unit (INRA, AgroParisTech), where her team continues to investigate microbial functioning in soil microhabitats through projects like Soilµ3D. Her research group employs innovative methodologies, sometimes humorously involving custom-modified equipment like 'soil sandwich cutters,' to examine soil slices and understand the complex relationships between soil structure, microbial activity, and carbon dynamics.