He completed a PhD in quantitative plant genetics in France. Since 2001, he is working on the elucidation of the genetic bases of obesity and type 2 diabetes. His current research interests include 1) the identification of novel susceptibility genes using high-throughput sequencing / genotyping approaches in populations representative of the worldwide ethnic background 2) a better understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of metabolic diseases 3) the interactions between genes and specific environmental exposures 4) the usefulness of genetic information in clinical applications (prevention and care).