Gilles Bloch, new Head of the CEA Life Sciences Division
CEA
Gilles Bloch (born 1961) graduated from the École Polytechnique (1984), earned a university doctorate in molecular biophysics (from Paris 6, 1989) and became Doctor of Medicine (Paris 7, 1991) before being accredited as a director of scientific research.
Gilles Bloch joined the CEA in 1990, integrating the in vivo NMR spectroscopy laboratory team at Orsay-based Frédéric Joliot Hospital (SHFJ). In 1993, after over a year as a research associate at Yale University, he returned to the SHFJ, was appointed head of the R&D methodology branch in 1997 before heading the isotopic-biochemical-pharmacological imaging centre. In January 2001, he was appointed Vice-Director of the CEA Life Sciences Division.
In 2002, the then Vice-Minister of research and new technologies Claudie Haigneré called on Gilles Bloch to act as advisor on life sciences, public health and bioethics affairs — a role he would keep under the next Vice-Minister for research François d’Aubert before being reshuffled up to deputy director of the ministerial cabinet in 2004. The following year, Gilles Bloch took over the reins of the newly-formed French National Research Agency.
Since 2006, Gilles Bloch has occupied the position of Director-General of research and innovation at the ministerial agency for higher education and research.