The Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier is pleased to announce that Gaelle Savin has been awarded the René Dabard PhD Thesis Prize 2025, a distinction recognizing the excellence and impact of her doctoral research.
Her thesis, entitled “Synthesis of bioresorbable polyurethane composites for orthopedic surgery applications,” focuses on the development of new biomaterials to address the challenges associated with knee osteoarthritis, a condition characterized by the irreversible degradation of the meniscus. In this context, her work aims to provide an innovative alternative to current solutions, helping to reduce the need for invasive surgical procedures in patients.
During her PhD, Gaelle Savin developed a hybrid orthopedic implant combining poly(ester-urethane) and collagen, offering both suitable mechanical properties and improved biological integration. She also explored original approaches to optimize the material’s structure and to develop safer and more sustainable polyurethanes.
This work was carried out within the Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials Department (D2) of the ICGM, under the supervision of Ghislain David and co-supervision of Benjamin Nottelet (Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron). The award ceremony took place on April 17, 2026, at the École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Rennes.
The ICGM extends its sincere congratulations to Gaelle Savin on this achievement and wishes her every success in her future career.