Philippe Gillet

Philippe Gillet is a Full Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) since 2010, with a distinguished career spanning academic leadership, research, and policy roles. He previously served as Director of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (2003-present), President of the University of Lyon (2004-present), and held professorships at Université de Rennes 1 (1984-1992). His research bridges mineral physics, planetary science, and geophysics.

• Education: Undergraduate (1979-1983) at Ecole normale supérieure de la rue d'Ulm; PhD in Geophysics and Geochemistry (1983, Université de Paris VII); State thesis in Geosciences (1988, Université de Rennes 1).

Research Interests focus on mineral physics at extreme pressure and temperature conditions, particularly for planetary interiors (Earth and Mars), meteorite analysis (Martian and lunar), shock processes in extraterrestrial materials, and experimental techniques like laser-heated diamond anvil cells and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. He also explores microbial interactions with minerals and the solid-to-glass transition under pressure.

Publications & Impact: Over 120 scientific articles, including 9 in Science, 2 in Nature, and 3 in PNAS, with 81 earth and planetary science papers and 15 in physics/chemistry journals. He has supervised 17 PhD students.

Honors & Affiliations:

• Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Montréal (2007)
• Member, Academia Europaea (2007)
• Fellow, Mineralogical Society of America
• Member, Institut Universitaire de France (1993-1998)

Leadership Roles include Vice-President (Provost) of EPFL (2010-present), Chief of Staff to the French Minister of Higher Education (2007-2010), and President of the French synchrotron facility SOLEIL (2001-2007).