Marie Giroudon - Civil and environmental engineering - Best Researcher Award

INSA Toulouse - France

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR 

SCOPUS

🔬 SUMMARY

Marie Giroudon is a pioneering researcher in civil engineering, specializing in the sustainability and durability of cementitious materials under aggressive conditions. Grounded in both academic excellence and hands-on experimentation, the work contributes meaningfully to environmental engineering and sustainable construction. With a strong interdisciplinary approach, Marie bridges civil engineering with microbiological and biochemical phenomena, particularly in the context of biogas and anaerobic digestion infrastructures. The research explores how binders, additives, and natural aggregates behave in corrosive environments, aiming to develop low-carbon, bio-integrated materials that withstand biodeterioration. The innovative contributions have gained recognition across both scientific and industrial communities, notably in Europe. Presently working as Maître de Conférences at INSA Toulouse, the career reflects a continuous trajectory of academic distinction, impactful collaborations, and scientific leadership. With a solid publication record and active roles in international working groups, Marie continues to shape the future of sustainable and durable construction materials research globally.

📘 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Marie Giroudon’s academic path reflects a steady ascent through top-tier institutions and rigorous programs in science and engineering. The journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Physics at Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, attained with distinction. The foundation in physics cultivated a strong analytical and technical perspective, later channeled into civil and geotechnical engineering. The academic development continued through a Master’s and Engineering diploma from UPSSITECH, marked by honors and international exposure through a semester at Polytechnique Montréal. The formal academic training culminated in a PhD in Civil Engineering from INSA Toulouse, successfully defended in January 2021. The thesis explored interactions between biowaste in anaerobic digestion and cement-based materials, laying the groundwork for future innovations in eco-resilient infrastructure. Throughout this formative period, Marie consistently demonstrated high aptitude, curiosity, and commitment to research excellence, supported by prestigious grants and supervision under renowned French experts in materials durability and sustainable construction.

🏗️ PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Marie Giroudon's professional experience showcases a seamless blend of research, teaching, and interdisciplinary project leadership. Currently serving as Maître de Conférences at INSA Toulouse within the Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions (LMDC), the role integrates research on cementitious materials with pedagogy across subjects such as BIM, geotechnics, and prestressed concrete. Previously, Marie contributed to cutting-edge postdoctoral projects like WWT Concrete, targeting sustainable solutions for wastewater infrastructure. These roles followed a rich doctoral journey supported by ANR BIBENdOM, focusing on how cement-based materials react in biodeteriorative, anaerobic conditions. Each professional role has been guided by a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability. With active involvement in mentoring research students and coordinating academic collaborations across institutions like EPFL and Université Gustave Eiffel, the career reflects a mature scientific vision combined with practical leadership in environmental and construction material research. These roles reinforce Marie's expertise in applying fundamental science to real-world engineering challenges.

🧪 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

The research of Marie Giroudon addresses critical challenges in environmental engineering by focusing on the durability of cementitious materials in chemically aggressive settings, particularly anaerobic digestion systems. By investigating alternative binders such as metakaolin geopolymers, blast-furnace slag cement, and calcium aluminate cement, the work contributes to lowering the environmental footprint of construction. Key innovations include identifying the biodeterioration kinetics and interaction mechanisms between organic matter and cement matrices. Marie's investigations into materials behavior under exposure to ammonium, organic acids, and fermentation byproducts are crucial for designing long-lasting bio-infrastructure. Collaborations with biotechnologists and environmental chemists have enriched these studies with multidisciplinary insights. Through over 15 peer-reviewed articles and numerous conference presentations, Marie has established a strong scientific presence in sustainable materials research. The work influences guidelines for agricultural and industrial infrastructure, particularly biogas plants, and contributes to European discussions on green civil engineering, forming the scientific basis for future innovations in eco-construction.

🏅 ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

Marie Giroudon has earned several recognitions that underscore both scientific excellence and community engagement. A prominent achievement includes winning the 3rd prize at the “Forum Jeunes Chercheurs” in Marne la Vallée for research on biodeterioration of cement materials—an acknowledgment of originality and societal relevance. As a dedicated member of international expert committees like RILEM TC 253-MCI and the French Civil Engineering Association’s “Bétons et Microorganismes” group, Marie contributes actively to shaping technical documentation and standards on microbial impacts on concrete. Participation in these expert networks reflects not only scientific credibility but also an enduring commitment to collaborative advancement. Furthermore, the invitation to contribute to state-of-the-art reports published by Springer, and repeated representation at top-tier conferences such as the International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement, highlight widespread recognition. These honors affirm Marie’s status as a rising leader in the domain of eco-resilient construction materials and sustainable civil infrastructure research.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Marie Giroudon's research exerts tangible influence on both academic and applied sectors, particularly in the design and maintenance of biogas infrastructure and wastewater facilities. The interdisciplinary work directly informs environmental policy and engineering practices by providing evidence-based insights into material degradation in microbial and chemical environments. Collaborations with major public utilities like SIAAP and universities such as EPFL have fostered research-to-practice translation. The development of low-carbon, bio-integrated binders presents a promising direction in the global shift toward sustainable construction, aligning with EU climate goals. The work contributes significantly to reducing lifecycle emissions from concrete structures by substituting conventional Portland cement with geopolymer and aluminate alternatives. Moreover, Marie’s mentorship of graduate students ensures that this impact extends through a new generation of eco-conscious engineers. Through scholarly publications, cross-disciplinary research projects, and leadership in technical networks, the contributions continue to shape research trajectories, industrial protocols, and sustainability standards across Europe and beyond.

🧱 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Marie Giroudon’s legacy lies in pioneering eco-durability within civil engineering and creating a research foundation that combines chemical resilience, microbial science, and materials engineering. The emerging expertise in micromechanical analysis and nanoindentation of cementitious composites paves the way for future breakthroughs in infrastructure diagnostics. Current recruitment for PhD and postdoctoral positions under Marie’s guidance signals a growing research lab ecosystem focused on innovative materials in leaching and bio-reactive environments. With active roles in scientific communities, the next decade is poised to see deeper exploration into LC3-type low-carbon materials, resistance modeling under multiaxial stress conditions, and long-term simulations of degradation pathways. Furthermore, the integration of sustainability into structural engineering curricula ensures lasting academic influence. With a track record of practical, publication-driven, and collaborative research, Marie’s future contributions will likely redefine durability standards for green buildings and bio-infrastructure, thereby reinforcing global efforts toward resilient, sustainable urban and rural development through advanced material science.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Title: Comparison of barley and lavender straws as bioaggregates in earth bricks
Authors: M. Giroudon, A. Laborel-Préneron, J.E. Aubert, C. Magniont
Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 202, pp. 254–265 (2019)

Title: Blast-furnace slag cement and metakaolin based geopolymer as construction materials for liquid anaerobic digestion structures: Interactions and biodeterioration mechanisms
Authors: M. Giroudon, M.P. Lavigne, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Journal: Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 750, Article 141518 (2021)

Title: Cementitious materials in biogas systems: Biodeterioration mechanisms and kinetics in CEM I and CAC based materials
Authors: C. Voegel, M. Giroudon, A. Bertron, C. Patapy, P.L. Matthieu, T. Verdier, ...
Journal: Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 124, Article 105815 (2019)

Title: Experimental assessment of bio-based earth bricks durability
Authors: A. Laborel-Préneron, M. Giroudon, J.E. Aubert, C. Magniont, P. Faria
Journal: IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 660 (1), Article 012069 (2019)

Title: Potential of low carbon materials facing biodeterioration in concrete biogas structures
Authors: M. Giroudon, C. Patapy, M. Peyre Lavigne, M. Andriamiandroso, R. Cartier, ...
Journal: Materials and Structures, Vol. 56 (4), Article 80 (2023)

Title: Insights into the local interaction mechanisms between fermenting broken maize and various binder materials for anaerobic digester structures
Authors: M. Giroudon, C. Perez, M.P. Lavigne, B. Erable, C. Lors, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 300, Article 113735 (2021)