Meet the Women in Science at Elicit Plant

At Elicit Plant, scientific research is based on an integrated approach combining chemistry, biology, and agronomy. Thanks to our unique R&D center, our teams work together to transform scientific discoveries into practical solutions tailored to farmers’ needs​. This complementarity is essential to addressing climate change challenges and providing effective, sustainable biosolutions.

February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an opportunity to highlight those who, through their dedication and expertise, contribute to scientific progress and innovation. With 64% of our scientific team made up of women and a strong commitment to governance – three of our advisory board’s five members are women, and our board is chaired by Dr. Pam Marrone – we are proud to showcase their contributions.

In this article, we introduce three of them: Ameline Oisel, chemical technician, Chloé Cardot, agricultural engineer, and Cindy Coppin, molecular biology research engineer.

After nine years in the oil industry, Ameline Oisel decided to shift her career toward a field more aligned with her environmental convictions. From her high school years, chemistry was more than just a subject—it was a true connection with the living world. Holding a degree in formulation chemistry, she first worked at IFPEN on enhanced oil recovery and geological carbon storage projects.

But her desire to take action led her toward agriculture and biosolutions. By joining Elicit Plant, she found a dynamic environment where research goes hand in hand with innovation. In the chemistry lab, she works on developing and improving product formulations, ensuring their compatibility and stability before they move to industrial-scale production. “Research is constantly evolving—that’s what I love about this profession,” she says​.

With a career that bridges research and fieldwork, Chloé Cardot embodies the link between science and agriculture. Originally from the Alps, she first focused on environmental protection before directing her research toward viticulture and phytopathology. Her PhD in molecular biology, conducted in partnership with the Cognac industry, allowed her to study the disease susceptibility of new grapevine varieties and contribute to the creation of an epidemiosurveillance center.

In 2022, she joined Elicit Plant to support the development of solutions tailored to vineyards. Between laboratory experiments and real-world field trials, she travels across southern Europe, where drought poses a significant threat to vineyards. Her expertise also extends to regulatory affairs, helping to obtain market authorization for new solutions. “Agriculture faces increasing challenges. I am convinced that science can provide concrete answers to support farmers and preserve biodiversity,” she states​.

A molecular biology specialist, Cindy Coppin joined Elicit Plant in 2023 to set up a molecular biology platform to better understand how phytosterols affect plants. Thanks to this approach, her team can measure physiological markers such as gene expression related to photosynthesis, plant defenses, or hormone regulation.

Her scientific journey began at the University of Reims, where she spent seven years researching crop bioprotection, particularly in combating grapevine trunk diseases. Passionate about plant life, she is also committed to passing on knowledge: today, she trains two technicians in molecular analysis. “Molecular biology is a complementary approach to other scientific disciplines. It allows us to understand how our solutions act at the cellular level and thus improve their effectiveness,” she explains​.