From 23rd to 27th June 2025, EUR Lumomat is organising the second edition of its Summer School at the University of Angers on the theme « Light matters: exploring photochemistry and photophysics from basics to breakthroughs » . Registration, reserved for doctoral students and professionals in chemistry, physics, materials science and related fields, is open until 13 April!
A week of in-depth exploration of photochemistry and photophysics with leading researchers in their fields
The Light Matters Summer School offers an in-depth journey exploring photochemistry and photophysics from basics to breakthroughs and specially designed for PhD students in chemistry, physics, materials science and related fields, keen to broaden their knowledge and engage with cutting-edge applications. The multidisciplinary program bridges the gap between fundamental concepts and innovative research, enabling participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of light-induced processes and their transformative potential in science and technology. Join us as we explore the fascinating interaction between light and matter, from fundamental science to innovative applications.
Discover the eight invited speakers of the Summer School
The EUR Lumomat is delighted to welcome eight internationally renowned researchers to work with doctoral students on the « Light Matters » theme.
Prof. Ewen BODIO - Nantes University, France
Ewen Bodio
— Professor of Molecular Chemistry and Bioinorganic Chemistry
— CEISAM Laboratory, Nantes University, France
Dr Bodio’s Summer School lecture: « Optical imaging: from fluorescent molecules to guided surgery. »
Pr. Ewen Bodio is a Professor of Molecular and Bioinorganic Chemistry at the CEISAM Laboratory at Nantes University and junior member of IUF. His research focuses on the design of metal complexes and fluorescent molecules, with applications in medical imaging and therapy. These applications range from diagnostics of various diseases to monitoring chemotherapy and developing photo-activatable treatments, themes he began exploring during his tenure at ICMUB in Dijon. Pr. Bodio is advancing research on the development of near-infrared-emitting molecular probes. These probes are designed to make tumors fluorescent, thereby significantly aiding surgeons by making it easier to visualize malignant tissues. This innovation is expected to considerably reduce cancer-related side effects and recurrences.
Prof. Paola CERONI - Universtity of Bologna, Italy
Paola CERONI
— Full Professor in Chemical Sciences
— Departement of Chemistry Ciamician, University of Bologna, Italy
Prof. Ceroni’s Summer School lectures: « Photochemistry and photocatalysis: Insights into the photochemical mechanism » and « Light-harvesting antennae based on luminescent quantum dots »
In 1998, Prof. Paola Ceroni obtained her PhD in Chemical Sciences at the University of Bologna, following a research period in the United States (Prof. Allen J. Bard’s laboratory). Her research focuses on photoactive molecules, supramolecular systems, and nanocrystals for photocatalysis, artificial photosynthesis, and luminescent materials. Her work on luminescent silicon nanocrystals has been supported by ERC StG PhotoSi and ERC PoC SiNBiosys grants. She is also Associate Editor of Dalton Transactions (RSC).
Dr. Murielle CHAVAROT-KERLIDOU - Grenoble Alpes University/CNRS/CEA, France
Murielle CHAVAROT-KERLIDOU
— CNRS Director of Research and deputy of the French Solar Fuels Network
— Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biologie des Métaux, Grenoble Alpes University/CNRS/CEA, France
Dr. Chavarot-Kerlidou’s Summer School lecture: « Current challenges in molecular artificial photosynthesis. »
Dr Murielle Chavarot-Kerlidou is CNRS Director of Research and deputy Director of the French Solar Fuels Network. She received her PhD in Molecular Chemistry from the Université Grenoble Alpes (1998). She became CNRS researcher in 2002 and joined the Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux (Grenoble, France) in 2009 to develop new projects in the field of artificial photosynthesis. Her current research activities include the study of bio-inspired cobalt catalysts for hydrogen production, the design of molecular systems for photo-induced charge accumulation and the development of dye-sensitized photocathodes for the production of solar fuels.
Dr. Sami LAKHDAR - University of Toulouse III, France
Sami LAKHDAR
— CNRS Director of Research
— University of Toulouse III/CNRS, France
Dr. Lakhdar’s Summer School lecture: « Advancing photocatalytic reactions for sustainable chemistry. »
Dr. Sami Lakhdar is a Research Director at the CNRS in the Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Heterochemistry at the University Paul Sabatier in Toulouse. He obtained his PhD in 2006 from the Universities of Versailles and Monastir, focusing on the reactivity of nitrobenzofuroxanes. Afterward, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Professor H. Mayr’s group at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and became a research associate at the CNRS at the Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire et Thio-organique in Caen in 2013. His research focuses on organic chemistry, particularly organocatalysis, photocatalysis, and organic physical chemistry, with a specific interest in organic reactivity and the development of visible-light-mediated carbon-heteroatom bond formation reactions.
Dr. Adèle D. LAURENT - Nantes University, France
Adèle D. LAURENT
— CNRS Director of Research
— CEISAM Laboratory/CNRS (Nantes University, France)
Dr. Laurent’s Summer School lecture: « Investigating excited states in embedded media: A computational approach. »
| In 2007, Dr Adèle D. LAURENT earned a Master’s degree in Chemistry in Namur. Then she moved to Nancy to complete a PhD in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, focusing on multi-scaling approaches. Afterward, she spent two years at the University of Southern California for a postdoctoral position. Since 2012 she has been a CNRS researcher at CEISAM Laboratory (Nantes University), and in 2023, she was appointed Director of Research at CNRS. As a computational chemist, her expertise spans from quantum chemistry to molecular modeling. She is particularly interested in studying light-molecule or macromolecule interactions using multi-scaling approaches to simulate optical properties of embedded dyes or photochromes. Coordinator of several regional and national projects, she authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, one book chapter and 2 patents. |
Prof. Stefan MESKERS - Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
Stefan MESKERS
— Associate professor
— Molecular Materials and Nanosystems group (Endhoven University of Technology, Netherlands)
Prof. Meskers’s Summer School lecture: « Fundamentals of Circular Dichroism (CD) and Circular Polarization of Luminescence (CDL). »
Workshop: Good practices for CD and CPL on solution, film
Stefan Meskers is associate professor in the Molecular Materials and Nanosystems group at Endhoven University of Technology. He studied Chemistry at Leiden University where he obtained his MSc degree in 1992. In 1997, he obtained his PhD at the same university under supervision of Harry Dekkers with his thesis on spectroscopy with circularly polarized light to probe binding of small chiral molecules to proteins. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Université Libre de Bruxelles with Prof. Jean-Marie Ruysschaert for the remainder of the year, after which he moved to Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) for a postdoc project with professors Bert Meijer and Joachim Wolter. In 1999 and 2001 he was a postdoc at the Philipps Universität Marburg (Germany) with Heinz Bäßler, where he became deeply interested in the optical properties of molecular semiconductors and organic electronics. In 2001 he returned to TU/e to work at the Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry of Prof. René Janssen, on a postdoctoral fellowship from the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2003 he was appointed Assistant Professor at the same group.
Dr. François RIOBÉ - University of Bordeaux, France
François RIOBÉ
— Researcher
— Institute of Chemistry of Condensed Matter of Bordeaux (Université de Bordeaux, France)
Dr. Riobé’s Summer School lecture: « Luminescence measurements: Principles and guidelines. »
Workshop: How to measure quantum yields?
François Riobé is a chemist who earned a Ph.D. from the University of Angers (France) in 2009. After postdoctoral positions in ICMAB (Barcelona, Spain) and ISCR (Rennes, France), he joined the CNRS in 2013 as a researcher in the Chemistry Laboratory of the ENS Lyon. There, he focused on the various potential applications of luminescent lanthanide complexes. In late 2022, he moved to the Institute of Chemistry of Condensed Matter of Bordeaux (France), where he pursues his research in the field of materials science.
Prof. René WILLIAMS - University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
René WILLIAMS
— Associate Professor
— Molecular Photonics group at the Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Dr. Williams’s Summer School lecture: « Photochemistry of photodynamic (anti-cancer) therapy: Singlet oxygen and triplet excited states«
Dr. René M. Williams is an Associate Professor in the Molecular Photonics group at the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam, where he obtained his PhD in 1996, focusing on fullerenes and electron transfer. He pursued postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute in Mülheim and Columbia University, studying opto-acoustics and triplet sensitization. His research explores light-matter interactions in photoactivated (nano)hybrid materials for energy and healthcare applications, focusing on photoinduced electron and energy transfer in molecular, supramolecular, and nanosystems. He works on thin-film solar cells, perovskite doping, and near-infrared-activated photodynamic therapy materials for cancer treatment.
Practical information about the Summer School
The « Light Matters » Summer School will take place at the Faculté des Sciences of the University of Angers, in Angers, France.
Address:
Moltech Anjou, Bâtiment K
Université d’Angers – Faculté des sciences
2 Boulevard de Lavoisier
49000 Angers
FRANCE
The summer school program includes lectures by leading experts, practical workshops on (chiro)optics and interactive sessions designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools. Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, with the chance to each to present a poster and a flash oral communication related to their PhD research works.
The final schedule will be display soon!
This program is designed for PhD students in chemistry, physics, materials science and related fields.
Citizens of all countries in the world are eligible to apply (not younger than 18 years old).
The Summer School is taught entirely in English.
Register for the Summer School before 13th April*
Applications for the Light Matters Summer School are open until 13 April.
Participation fee:
- Students from partner universities: 500 EUR
- Students from non-partner universities: 600 EUR
- Professionals: 1,000 EUR
Fees include welcoming and teaching materials, accommodation in a double room (2 students), coffee breaks and weekday lunches, social activities, transport pass and all costs related to scientific visits.
The Summer Schools do not cover the costs of passports, visas, health insurance, travel to and from Angers, dinners and breakfasts.
If you are a student from the University of Angers, Nantes or Rennes, please contact summerschools@univ-angers.fr
*Subject to availability : there are 30 spots available for this program, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
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ℹ️ If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email: eur-lumomat@univ-angers.fr
