Pierre Marcasuzaa, research engineer and co-founder of Biomim’Gel

After completing a full course at UPPA in Physical Chemistry up to a PhD, Pierre Marcasuzaa joined IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico-Chemistry for the Environment and Materials) as a research engineer. Ten years later, he founded the start-up Biomim’Gel. 

What were the main steps in the path that led you to research? 

Originally from a village near Lacq, I completed a scientific baccalaureate in Mourenx (2001). Perhaps influenced by my environment — my father who worked in the chemical industry, my sisters who studied in the same field, the industrial surroundings of the Lacq Basin… — it felt natural for me to enroll at UPPA in the DEUG in Physical Sciences. Those first two years confirmed my choice and I decided to continue with a bachelor’s degree, a maîtrise and a DEA. In my fourth year I discovered the world of polymer science, their functionalities, very concrete applications, and innovation prospects… And that passion never left me. I then decided to pursue a PhD during which I worked on conductive composites. 

What memories do you have of student life on the Pau campus? 

I remember a human-scale university, small cohorts where all students knew each other, and great availability from the teaching staff and administrative team. During my PhD, I recall excellent research conditions. UPPA has nothing to envy from universities in large cities, in terms of equipment, teaching quality, connections with local and national industry, and the attention given to each student. I never regretted my choice. 

After completing your PhD, how did your professional integration go? 

The PhD only strengthened my desire to pursue a research career. I didn’t particularly want to teach at university, however when IPREM in Pau offered me a research engineer position, I didn’t hesitate. The job matched my aspirations perfectly. It allowed me to continue working on smart polymers, discover new properties and broaden application fields. Within this laboratory, which brings together advanced expertise in materials, I worked on numerous collaborative research projects with major national companies. The work involved meeting specifications while integrating constraints specific to each industrial partner. Topics were varied, from developing self-cleaning hydrophobic surfaces to designing stretchable polymers or systems responsive to stimuli… I also took part in maturing certain technologies and bringing them closer to industrialisation. 

For the past two years you have been developing a company project. Could you tell us a few words about it?

After responding to many research assignments, I wanted to move towards concrete application. The Biomim’Gel start-up project I am working on together with Laurent Billon, a professor at UPPA, is based on a technology that won the “Academic Innovation” prize at Cosmetic Valley in 2021. This technology, the result of more than ten years of research within a UPPA laboratory, enables the encapsulation of active ingredients and control of their release by applying a stimulus (pH, temperature, salinity, biodegradability…). Besides its ability to carry an increased concentration of actives, it greatly reduces the number of ingredients needed in formulations, thereby limiting the environmental impact of finished products. The Biomim’Gel project was supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine incubator Chrysa-link (AST innovations) and by Hélioparc since 2024. In 2027, we hope to open a production site in the Lacq Basin. . 

Two or three words you spontaneously associate with UPPA?

Opportunity to pursue the course I wanted – the human-scale cocoon of UPPA – the positive spirit that exists between students and with teachers.  

Any advice for students?

I would tell them not to hesitate to study at UPPA. Beyond the high quality of teaching, which is clearly present, life is easier and less expensive in Pau. I would also advise them to seize every opportunity to talk with teachers who can offer excellent guidance.   

Interviewed by Florence Elman

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Physics-Chemistry Bachelor's  Master in Materials Science and Engineering