Institute of Chemistry UMR 7177, University of Strasbourg, France
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🎓 Academic Background & Early Career
Dr. Elena Gimenez-Arnau holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg (1992–1995), supported by a French Ministry of National Education Research Grant. Her doctoral work was recognized with high distinction, earning the “Very Honourable” mention with jury congratulations and the Label European Doctorate, along with the PhD Prize 1996 from ADRERUS. Prior to this, she completed a Master’s in Molecular and Supramolecular Organic Chemistry (1991–1992) at the same university, under a prestigious grant from La Caixa de Barcelona and the Service pour la Science et la Technologie. Her academic foundation began at the University of Barcelona, where she earned her degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Organic Chemistry (1985–1990).
🔬 Research Experience & Career Milestones
Dr. Gimenez-Arnau began her postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham (1996–1997) in the Cancer Research Laboratories (Pharmacy Department) through the European Commission’s Human Capital and Mobility Program. She joined the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) in 1998 as a Chargée de Recherche (CRCN) and served as a Project Manager until 2020. In 2004, she earned her Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR)—a French qualification to supervise doctoral research. Her career culminated in her appointment as Director of Research (DR2) at CNRS in 2020, reflecting her outstanding leadership in scientific inquiry.
🧪 Expertise for European Commission
Her insight is valued by the European Commission, where she has served as an expert evaluator for several prestigious programs, including Horizon 2020 (SME Instrument 2018), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-IF 2018 & 2020), and the Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder Open (2021–2024). These roles underscore her strategic vision and scientific evaluation capabilities on a European level.
🏛️ Memberships & Institutional Leadership
Dr. Gimenez-Arnau is an active member of numerous scientific organizations, such as the Association Française de Résonance Paramagnétique Électronique (ARPE), the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), and the IDEA Hydroperoxide Task Force—a consortium supported by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). She is also an elected member of GEIDAC (Spanish Research Group on Allergic Contact Dermatitis). She has contributed to governance and development within the University of Strasbourg, serving on multiple key committees including the Council of the Chemistry Institute (UMR 7177), the Chemistry Department Council, the Scientific Research Commission, the Status Commission, and the Finance Commission (2004–2015). She was President of the Central Purchasing Body Commission (2008–2014) and remains an active member. In 2024, she was again elected to multiple leadership bodies including the BIATSS Staff Commission and Chemistry Department Council.
🧑⚖️ Selection Committee Engagements
Dr. Gimenez-Arnau has played an essential role in faculty recruitment and academic assessment, serving on the Selection Committee for University Professor 4984 in Organic Synthesis Strategy (section 32) at the University of Strasbourg, and for Lecturer in Toxicology (86MCF1372) at Université Paris-Sud. Her inclusion in these panels reflects her academic excellence and peer recognition in chemical and toxicological sciences.
Notable Publications📄
📄 Probing skin photoallergens in reconstructed human epidermis: An EPR spin trapping investigation
Author(s): Yannick Port‐Lougarre; Guillaume Voegeli; Bertrand Vileno; Elena Gimenez-Arnau
Journal: Photochemistry and Photobiology
Year: 2024
📄 Antioxidant Activity and Skin Sensitization of Eugenol and Isoeugenol: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Author(s): Yannick Port-Lougarre; Christophe Gourlaouen; Bertrand Vileno; Elena Gimenez-Arnau
Journal: Chemical Research in Toxicology
Year: 2023
📄 Synthesis and in situ behavior of 1,4-and 2,5-(13C) isotopomers of p-phenylenediamine in reconstructed human epidermis using high resolution magic angle spinning NMR
Author(s): Hassan Srour; Alexis Gosset; François-Marie Moussallieh; Karim Elbayed; Elena Giménez-Arnau; Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin
Journal: Chemical Research in Toxicology
Year: 2022
📄 Autoxidized citronellol: free radicals as potential sparkles to ignite the fragrance induced skin sensitizing pathway
Author(s): Fatma Sahli; Bertrand Vileno; Christophe Gourlaouen; Elena Giménez-Arnau
Journal: Food and Chemical Toxicology
Year: 2022
📄 Skin sensitisation to fragrance hydroperoxides: interplay between dendritic cells, keratinocytes and free radicals
Author(s): J. Lichter; M. Silva E Sousa; N. Peter; F. Sahli; B. Vileno; S. Kuresepi; C. Gourlaouen; Elena Gimenez-Arnau; Brunhilde Blömeke
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology
Year: 2020
📄 In Situ Alkylation of Reconstructed Human Epidermis by Methyl Methanesulfonate: A Quantitative HRMAS NMR Chemical Reactivity Mapping
Author(s): Hassan Srour; François-Marie Moussallieh; Karim Elbayed; Elena Gimenez-Arnau; Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin
Journal: Chemical Research in Toxicology
Year: 2020