It All Began With Passion...

With a strong scientific background and a PhD in condensed matter physics, Jean-Baptiste joined the team of Nicolas, Sandrine and Emmanuel to simplify access to 3D nanoscopy for cell biology. He then developed his skills in prestigious business schools such has Centrale Paris and HEC Paris to lead the general development of the company.

After graduating as an optronical engineer in 2012 (Polytech, Paris-Sud University), Nicolas pursued PhD studies within Sandrine Lévêque-Fort’s team (ISMO, CNRS), whose goal was to develop a 3D SMLM nanoscope based on Supercritical Angle Fluorescence, a method known worldwide as DONALD (Direct Optical Nanoscopy with Axially Localized Detection). Four years later, he co-founded Abbelight as CTO to simplfiy the access of 3D nanoscopy to biology researchers and pharmaceutical industries by transforming his research into a complete straightforward solution.

Sandrine Lévêque-Fort is a CNRS Research Director at the Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay (ISMO, CNRS / Université Paris Saclay).

After completing a thesis on acousto-optical imaging at ESPCI, she conducted a post-doctorate on time-resolved fluorescence microscopy at Imperial College, London. In 2001, she joined CNRS to develop innovative concepts in fluorescence microscopy applied to the observation of various biological issues. Since 2009, she has been focused on overcoming the diffraction limit and proposing new modalities for super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. In 2016, she co-founded Abbelight with her former PhD student Nicolas Bourg (CTO), Jean-Baptiste Marie (CEO), and Emmanuel Fort. She received the Irène Joliot Curie-Femme Entreprise prize in 2020 for the successful transfer of her work and was named Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite in 2022. Since 2017, she has served as the co-director of the GDR ImaBio. Her current developments in the nanoscale observation of living cells have recently been supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (2022).

Emmanuel Fort is a researcher who received his PhD in optics from the Ecole Polytechnique in 1999. Currently, he is a professor at ESPCI Paris, PSL University. He also holds the position of AXA Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the Langevin Institute.

His research focuses on wave-matter interactions, innovative imaging and optical detection techniques for biomedical applications. At the intersection of physics, biomedicine, and technological innovation, the primary objective of his research is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms at work within the body, facilitating the refinement of diagnostics and therapeutic treatments. This is particularly evident in his work involving fluorescence microscopy and plasmonic sensing for biological and medical applications. He pioneered several innovative super-resolution techniques, such as supercritical angle fluorescence and modulation localization microscopy. He developed nanostructured materials for applications in microarray sensors and fluorescence enhancement. Additionally, he pioneered hydrodynamic quantum analog. His major contributions extend to the field of time-varying media, using water waves as an original playground. He received the Denis Diderot Innovation Award and the Jerphagnon Prize. Holding nine patents, he has also published 80 peer-reviewed papers in international journals.

Kim Soerensen brings over 30 years of International Sales, Support and General Management experience from the Life Sciences and Molecular Diagnostics business segments, where he has held a number of senior leadership roles with leading biotechnology brands. Most recently he was the VP of Sales EMEA / Global at Inscripta for the company’s CRISPR-enabled Onyx™ Digital Genome Engineering platform.

Mr. Soerensen has a proven track record of driving product commercialization, revenue growth, building and strengthening of business units, and establishing strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and customers.

Kim Soerensen holds a M.Sc. in molecular biology from the Technical University of Denmark, and Business education from the Mercuri International Business School™, QIAGEN and the Management Institute of St. Gallen.

Working for international corporations and small to midsize start-ups, Mr. Soerensen has managed direct- and indirect businesses in EMEA, North America and APAC.

Valentina holds a PhD in Physics and possesses 20 years of research experience in microscopy and biophysics, acquired across various prestigious institutions including the University of Genoa in Genoa, Imperial College London, and the Institute Curie in Paris.

Throughout her career, she has maintained a keen focus on designing and developing microscopy and fluorescence techniques aimed at studying cell functioning. Her exposure to interdisciplinary environments has positioned her as a scientist at the intersection of physics, biology, and chemistry.

Valentina joined Abbelight in May 2018 with the aim of contributing to the further development of nanoscopy and other imaging tools required by the scientific community. Since June 2021, she has served as the head of the R&D department, overseeing and managing research developments at Abbelight.

With 20 years of experience in high-tech startup and business development, including extensive international exposure, Frédéric Onado brings a robust relational aptitude, persuasive communication skills, and a proven track record of leading major cross-functional projects in complex environments with a sharp focus on results and accountability.

Fred is proud and delighted to have joined Abbelight as Director of Operations in June 2021, aiming to consolidate and accelerate Abbelight’s international success.