• 2025-present: Assistant professor (tenure-track), University of Neuchatel, Switzerland.
• 2022-2025: SNSF Ambizione Group Leader, University of Bern, Switzerland.
• 2019-2022: SNSF Postdoctoral researcher, Stockholm University, Sweden.
• 2019: PhD in biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. 
• 2014: Masters in Behavioural Ecology and Parasitology, University of Neuchatel, Switzerland. Sponsor: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
• 2008-2012: Veterinary Practician, Algeria.
• 2008: Med. Veterinary surgeon. University of Saad Dahleb, Algeria. 

Research interest

I am interested in the tremendous variation in vertebrate brain size, shape, and structure across species and taxa. For decades, researchers have been investigating the causes and functional explanations for such variation, with one ultimate goal of comprehending what makes the human brain unique. Evolutionary hypotheses based on the phylogenetic comparative approach suggest that a set of ecological factors, environmental and social, are the selective drivers. Accordingly, selection acts on adaptive cognitive/behavioural strategies that help a species cope with its ecological challenges and needs, driving the brain to adjust accordingly in terms of size, region sizes, neuronal density, connectivity and activity. Nevertheless, debate continues over these hypotheses due to conflicting research outcomes on different clades and taxa. I am interested in complementing comparative studies by adopting a within-species approach to address such issues. Besides genetic evolution, phenotypic plasticity that emerges from the interaction between an individual's genome and its environment also plays a role in fine-tuning brain anatomy and physiology to local conditions.

My research focuses on ectotherms (mainly fish) as a means to understand vertebrates in general. I am interested in studying the brain-behaviour relationship between and within species of ectotherms in an ecological and evolutionary framework to understand how individuals and species adapt to their ecological conditions. Together with Carel van Schaik and Redouan Bshary, we are investigating the fundamental differences in brain allometry between endotherms and ectotherms. Fish have a brain-body regression slope of 0.46 with no taxon-level effect, indicating no significant change in brain allometry across taxonomic levels. In contrast, endotherms have a slope value of around 0.3 within species, reaching up to 0.59 at higher taxonomic levels. With such characteristics, my work on ectotherms helps overcome challenges faced in comparative studies of brains among endotherms linked to the taxon-level effect. Furthermore, ectotherms are ideal for studying how ecology shapes individual behaviour and brain complexity because of their plastic brains, indeterminate growth, and continuous neurogenesis as adults.

Through my research on various ectothermic organisms (e.g., cleaner fish, African cichlids, guppies, anemonefish, damselfish, and wall lizards), I have gained valuable insights into how these organisms modify their brain development in response to selective pressures. This subsequently affects their cognitive performance and behaviour. The findings indicate that ectotherm brain morphology is highly susceptible to selective pressures within a lifetime or short cross-generational evolution to facilitate the attainment of complex cognitive abilities in challenging ecological conditions.

Collaboration with the NCCR Evolving Language 

In another collaboration with Klaus Zuberbühler and the team within the NCCR Evolving Language network, we are focusing on Swiss animal zoos. The goal is to combine physiological measurements with behavioural observations to understand how hormones affect competitive and cooperative communication based on the species’ social organisation. Consequently, we are investigating how social systems shape communication needs, which in turn impacts physiology, ultimately resulting in adaptive behaviour.

Scientific tasks

• 2024-present: Associate editor for Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences journal.

• Bachelor Biology: Physiologie comportementale
• 1ère année Médecine (TBA)
• Masters Biology: Advanced Behavioural Physiology
• Masters Biology: Seminar Ecology and Evolution
• Masters Cognitive Sciences: Integrative modules

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