Since its creation in 2009, the Mathematical Modelling and Biodiversity Chair (MMB), supported by École Polytechnique and its Foundation, in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History and supported by Veolia, has been exploring the major challenges of biodiversity at the interface between applied mathematics and ecology. Through interdisciplinary research programmes, scientific meetings and training initiatives, the Chair brings together nearly 150 experts from international laboratories and research institutions to address fundamental questions about population dynamics, evolution and ecosystem resilience.
After studying science, where she developed a passion for computer science, Manon Blanc completed a PhD at the École Polytechnique's Computer Science Laboratory (LIX*). She has received the Saclay Plateau STIC PhD Prize and the L'Oréal-UNESCO Young Talents Prize. Interview.
Bertrand Bessagnet, a CNRS Research Director affiliated with École Polytechnique, conducted the first study on air quality modeling at such resolution over Bhutan. Using the cutting-edge CHIMERE model, the research study was conducted in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck Law University in Bhutan. The findings of the research study have now been published.
Since 2019, the Chair in Space Science and Challenges, led by Professor Pascal Chabert and supported by ArianeGroup, Safran and the École Polytechnique Foundation, has affirmed École Polytechnique's commitment to training future experts in the space sector. Based on demanding scientific teaching, ambitious space projects carried out at the Student Space Centre (CSEP), visits to industrial sites, meetings with industry players, and the development of real space missions, the Chair is positioned as a strategic lever for preparing talented individuals capable of meeting the major technological and societal challenges of tomorrow's aerospace industry.
Experiments reveal defects in the structure of superionic water at high pressures, a phase that remains mysterious and could be present inside planets such as Uranus and Neptune. This is the result of an international collaboration led by scientists from the Intense Lasers Laboratory (LULI*), the University of Rostock, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, and other European and American institutions**. It is published in Nature Communications
A collaboration involving researchers from the Center for Theoretical Physics (CPHT*) has proposed a theoretical formalism that provides a description of gravity and gravitational waves at the “edge” of the universe. This breakthrough could provide tools for unifying general relativity and quantum mechanics.
As part of their advanced studies, third-year Cycle Ingénieur Polytechnicien students can opt for experimental mechanics courses. Nine sessions allow them to develop a scientific project at the cutting edge of theory and practice. Twenty projects are currently underway, several of which focus on environmental issues.
École Polytechnique and the Italian higher education institution Bocconi are launching two dual-degree programs in Finance and Artificial Intelligence. Laura Fioni, Director of Degree Programs at l’X, signed the new agreement with Francesco Saita, Dean of International Affairs at Bocconi, on December 2, 2025.
Highly selective and internationalized, École Polytechnique's Bachelor of Science program is a springboard to prestigious master's and doctoral programs for the vast majority of its graduates. Three years after graduation, 54% are still pursuing university studies, but just over a third have started a professional career in business, half of them in France and the other half internationally.
The Biomedical Engineering (BME) Seed Grant sponsorship programme, led by Abdul Barakat and supported by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation and École Polytechnique and its Foundation, will come to an end in late 2025, after nearly seven years dedicated to innovation in biomedical engineering. On 20 November, during the 4th annual forum of the Engineering for Health (E4H) Interdisciplinary Centre, a dedicated session honoured the 11 winning projects, celebrated the advances they have enabled and highlighted the scientific and human impact of this structuring programme.
Nearly three-quarters of graduates from École Polytechnique's Master of Science and Technology (MSc&T) programs are recruited by companies within three months of completing their studies. All of them are satisfied or very satisfied with their first job experience. While two-thirds of MSc&T graduates are international students, 80% of graduates in employment begin their careers in France.
The Research Internship Awards recognize a highlight in the training of the cycle ingénieur polytechnicien program students and Master's and MSc&T students. Fifty awards were presented and 81 students were congratulated for their work.
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