patrick.vignaud[at]univ-poitiers.fr
Main research question
My research focuses on the evolution of Mesozoic and Cenozoic crocodyliforms, as well as on the palaeoenvironmental context of hominin evolution.
Topics of study
My main research focuses on characterising the successive environments that accompanied the emergence and evolution of fossil humans in Central Africa. This research is based on two main study areas: the fossil-bearing sites of the Djourab Desert (northern Chad), where both biotic (fauna and flora) and abiotic data are analysed, and the present-day environmental conditions of Zakouma National Park (southern Chad), which provide a modern comparative framework for interpreting the fossil record.
Fieldworks
I co-direct field excavations and research outreach activities related to Franco-Chadian palaeoanthropological research in Chad.
Project management
- Deputy Director of the Franco-Chadian Palaeoanthropological Mission
- Project Leader of the “Djourab Mission”, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Other responsabilities
Head of the “Palaeontology” track within the Master’s programme in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (Universities of Poitiers and Montpellier)
Chair of the Scientific Expert Committee (Commission d’Expertise Scientifique, CES) for CNU Sections 35/36
Member of the Joint Institutional Committee (Commission Paritaire d’Établissement, CPE) of the University of Poitiers
Member of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Fundamental and Applied Sciences (UFR SFA), University of Poitiers
