France Mathilde Lucienne Champenois

France Mathilde Lucienne Champenois is a Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia's School of Earth Sciences, specializing in microbial contributions to ancient carbonate reef systems. Her work bridges sedimentology, paleontology, and early Earth history with applications in petroleum exploration and extraterrestrial life search strategies.

Her academic credentials include:

• Master of Science in Geology (Geodynamics & Geofluids) from KULeuven, Belgium (2015)
• Master in Petroleum Geosciences from IFP School, France (2016)
• Bachelor of Science in Geology (2012)

Champenois pioneers multiscale analysis of microbial communities in Cryogenian and Late Devonian reef complexes, examining paleoecological relationships, microbially-induced mineralization, and long-term preservation of microbial textures. Her methodology integrates sedimentological, diagenetic, and paleoenvironmental approaches to decode Earth's early biosphere evolution.

Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on microbial structures across geological timeframes, particularly Late Devonian reef builders in Western Australia and Neoproterozoic systems in South Australia. This work establishes critical links between microbial ecology, carbonate sedimentation, and environmental change in Earth's deep history.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• John Farrant Prize for the Physical Sciences (2023)

Champenois secured significant research funding through the American Association of Petroleum Geologists AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid (2019) for her project on Late Devonian microbialite reef builders. While not currently noted for student supervision, she actively collaborates on international research teams utilizing advanced microscopy and sedimentological analysis.

She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through environmental and energy research, operating within Earth sciences networks focused on Australian basin studies and microbialite characterization.