Public outreach

Fête de la science

Our team is actively involved in several public outreach initiatives. One of the highlights of our engagement is our participation in La Fête de la Science, held every October.

During this event, we offer three interactive workshops designed for school children and the general public, guiding participants on a fascinating journey “from the Sun to the skin.”

In the first workshop, Pierre-Olivier invites visitors to observe the Sun safely through a solar telescope, discovering its powerful energy and structure. The second workshop focuses on the biological effects of sunlight, demonstrating how our skin cells can be damaged by UV exposure. Finally, the third workshop explains how sunscreen products help protect our skin from sunlight-induced damage through engaging demonstrations and experiments.

This outreach program reflects the history and scientific roots of our team. Ambra, who leads our team and this initiative, began her research career studying the effects of UV radiation on human skin—particularly in patients suffering from Xeroderma Pigmentosum, also known as “the children of the moon.”

Credits: Pierre-Olivier Mari, Phoebe Rassinoux