During the 2025 edition of Ma Thèse en 180 Secondes (MT180) in Nantes, Cécile Poulain, Doctoral Student at Nantes Université and member of the Homi-Lung project, delivered a brilliant, three-minute talk explaining the links between pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.
Inspired by the Three Minute Thesis format from Australia, MT180 is a major French science communication competition where PhD students explain their research in just 180 seconds, using clear, engaging language for a wide public audience.
Cécile’s pitch began with the story of “Papy Jay,” who suffered a heart attack months after surviving pneumonia and intensive care. She used this case to illustrate how our white blood cells—our immune defenders—carry “scars” from previous infections. These immune imprints can influence our risk of developing diseases later, including cardiovascular conditions.
Her research, part of the Homi-Lung project, focuses on identifying which of these immune scars are harmful and which are protective. Using advanced techniques like flow cytometry, she analyses immune cells from patients recovering from pneumonia, with the aim of predicting and preventing long-term complications.
👏 A powerful example of how scientific storytelling can bring complex research closer to society.
Watch Cécile Poulain‘s talk at MT180 2025!