LGBTQIA+ STEM Day 2025: An interview with Fabrice Roux
Enterprise AI Analysis
To commemorate LGBTQIA+ STEM Day this year, Communications Biology is reaching out to discuss their personal and professional experiences in research. In this Q&A, we are talking to Dr. Fabrice Roux, a CNRS research director at Toulouse in France, who works on plant adaptation at the intersection of ecological genomics, quantitative genetics, and molecular biology.
Executive Impact & Key Metrics
Dr. Roux's insights highlight the critical role of inclusive environments and advanced scientific methodologies in driving innovation and fostering a supportive research community.
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Young French LGBTQIA+ Identification
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Charter Signatures for Inclusion
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
Select a topic to dive deeper, then explore the specific findings from the research, rebuilt as interactive, enterprise-focused modules.
Academic Foundation & Research Trajectory
Since I was in high school, I have always wanted to study how plants adapt to their environments. My parents were farmers, and I grew up in a very nice countryside in Burgundy, in France. I obtained a master's degree in ecology and evolution at the University of Montpellier in 2000. I obtained a second master's degree in plant biology at the University of Burgundy in 2001. During my master's internships, I worked on the evolution and the genetic basis of natural variation of flowering time. Then, I started a PhD at the INRAE [Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique] institute in Dijon. During my PhD, I combined experiments and modeling to understand and predict the dynamics of herbicide resistance in crop fields. Then, in 2006, I spent one year at the University of Chicago in the group of Joy Bergelson, working on the evolutionary ecology and the genetic bases of plant-pathogen interactions. The year I was in Chicago, I applied for a CNRS position. I got it that first year, and so I had to come back to France in January 2007. Even if I only spent a single year at the University of Chicago, it was a fantastic time to be there, and I wish I could have spent more time, like 3 or 5 years. So, at the age of 29, I started my career as a CNRS researcher at the University of Lille in the Department of Ecology and Evolution. In 2012, the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, dedicated to the study of plant-microbe interactions in Toulouse, asked me to develop a team in ecology and evolution. I really liked this challenge, and in 2013, I moved to Toulouse. Since 2013, my team has been very successful in developing interdisciplinary projects between ecological genomics, quantitative genetics, evolutionary biology, and molecular biology, with a focus on understanding and predicting plant-microbiota-pathobiota interactions and plant-plant interactions in the context of global change. An example of this success is the obtention of a Synergy grant from the ERC (European Research Council), certainly one of the most prestigious grants in Europe, with my colleagues Detlef Weigel from the Max Planck Institute in Tübingen and Joy Bergelson from New York University.
Shift to Complex Plant Interactions
My research journey has focused on three core questions about plant adaptation: selective agents, genetic architecture, and molecular mechanisms. Initially, I studied herbicide resistance due to its well-defined selective agents and genetic mechanisms. Later, I investigated phenological traits like flowering time, whose genetic basis is known but required further study in complex native environments. Since moving to Toulouse, I've focused on plant-microbiota-pathobiota and plant-plant interactions, areas with fewer answers to these questions. For instance, while A. thaliana is considered a poor competitor, we've found it interacts with ~12 other plant species in natural settings and can outcompete some. We've also recently cloned a gene likely involved in the active perception of neighboring species. My future research aims to understand how plants respond to multistress environments (climate, soil physico-chemical properties, microbiota, pathogens, competitors, urbanization) and translate this to crops.
Advancements in Genomic Toolkit
I'm particularly excited by recent developments in long-read sequencing technologies. My team has established a collection of over 1300 bacterial strains from the phyllosphere of A. thaliana in southwest France, with 400 genomes sequenced using Nanopore technology in under a week. We're also sequencing thousands of A. thaliana accessions with long-read technologies. This access allows us to explore the pan-genome and meta-pangenome, estimating the importance of structural variants in adaptation. We've identified bacterial genes associated with climate variation, a novel finding, and even evidence of gene transfer between bacterial phyla. The latest development integrates artificial intelligence with pangenome/meta-pangenome data to develop highly performant and robust bacterial and plant synthetic communities. This demonstrates a strong commitment to interdisciplinary projects.
Navigating Challenges as a Queer Scientist
Being a queer scientist has been very difficult for me. In France, I faced inappropriate questions about my sexual orientation and received homophobic comments from colleagues. This led me to decide to move to another country for safety. At CNRS, I'm not the only target of LGBTphobia; members complained about a lack of HR support, and I was twice denied training in LGBT leadership. A recent survey showed 20% of young French people identify as LGBTQIA+, emphasizing that this is not a minority. Motivated to address discrimination, I contacted other queer scientists (only four on the 500 Queer Scientists website) and we drafted a charter against discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community in French academia. Nearly 600 people signed it, and despite some rude comments, it was positively received, leading to an invitation to speak at the Pasteur Institute. However, my own employer, CNRS, never acknowledged the charter. During an ERC evaluation panel, I raised bias against the LGBTQIA+ community. The ERC head initially noted a lack of data, but after a colleague highlighted research showing LGBTQIA+ researchers tend to be more creative and inclusive, a meeting was set up with the Gender & Diversity committee. We advocated for a checkbox on forms to identify as LGBTQIA+ to gather data, a request that was met positively.
Process of Developing the Discrimination Charter
Identify Need for Action
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Contact Queer Scientists Network
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Draft Charter with Social Science Input
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Gather Signatures (Approx. 600)
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Publish & Promote Charter
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Engage with Institutions (Mixed Results)
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Advocate for Data Collection at ERC
Future Engagement
I'm not aware of other LGBTQIA+ initiatives currently, but I am more than open to participating in them.
Fostering an Inclusive Research Environment
My experiences have significantly shaped my management style. I employ a horizontal management approach where everyone feels free to speak. I believe creating a safe and open environment is paramount. Many individuals choose to join my group for PhDs or postdocs specifically because they know I am an open member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and they feel safe and protected in this space.
The Power of Visibility and Mutual Respect
Sharing personal stories is crucial. As someone whose son faced challenges joining science as an LGBTQIA+ individual, I understand the systemic barriers. Reports indicate LGBTphobia is more pronounced in research institutions than in general society. I openly discuss my sexual orientation and husband, and I no longer care about negative reactions. My goal is to foster a safer workspace for the LGBTQIA+ community and to be a role model for the next generation. There is hope for greater inclusion, and I will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals in academia. I am not ashamed of who I am, and I believe that mutual respect is essential for a better society.
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Your AI Implementation Roadmap
A strategic approach to integrating cutting-edge AI, leveraging the principles of robust data analysis and community engagement from Dr. Roux's work.
Phase 1: Initial Assessment & AI Strategy Development
Collaborate with stakeholders to identify key research areas where AI-driven genomic analysis can offer significant advantages. Define specific goals for efficiency, discovery, and inclusion. Develop a tailored AI strategy incorporating long-read sequencing and meta-pangenome analysis.
Phase 2: Data Integration & Model Training
Integrate existing and newly generated long-read sequencing data with environmental and phenotypic datasets. Train AI models using advanced machine learning techniques to identify genetic architectures, selective agents, and molecular mechanisms relevant to plant adaptation and microbial interactions. Establish ethical guidelines for data handling and model development, particularly concerning sensitive diversity data.
Phase 3: Prototype Development & Validation
Develop initial AI prototypes for predicting plant-microbiota-pathobiota interactions and plant-plant interactions. Validate these prototypes against controlled experiments and natural population data. Iterate on model design based on performance and feedback, ensuring inclusivity and fairness in AI applications.
Phase 4: Deployment & Continuous Optimization
Deploy validated AI solutions within research workflows. Implement a continuous learning framework for models, allowing them to adapt to new data and research findings. Establish monitoring systems to track model performance, ethical compliance, and research impact, including diversity and inclusion metrics in scientific output.
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