THE  LAUREAT OF NAOS ECOBIOLOGY PRIZE 2025

Dr. Zinsi Christiane Augustine KOUDOUKPO, Dermatologist, Venereologist, and Lecturer-Researcher at the University of Parakou (BENIN), with Dr. Philippe CHARLIER (left) and Dr. Stéphane FAUVERGHE, Global Medical Director of NAOS (right), during the award ceremony.

The 2025 laureate, Dr. Zinsi Christiane Augustine KOUDOUKPO, whose research focuses on Buruli ulcer, demonstrates that this disease is not solely caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans but also results from imbalances in the ecosystem in which the skin exists. These imbalances include contamination of water and soil driven by human activities and environmental changes; disruptions of the cutaneous microbiome that weaken the skin’s natural defenses; interactions with other microorganisms present in the environment that increase cutaneous vulnerability; and the socio-economic and health conditions of communities, which influence exposure and the skin’s ability to protect itself. By supporting this research, NAOS makes a tangible contribution to the objectives of World Health Organization (WHO) Resolution WHA57.1 by facilitating early detection of Buruli ulcer cases, supporting the development of appropriate treatment strategies, and promoting effective preventive measures, in line with international recommendations to limit the spread of this neglected tropical disease and reduce its impact on vulnerable populations.

This distinction underscores that protecting the skin ecosystem—by considering its relationship with the individual’s broader environment—is a key public health lever for exposed populations.

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THE 2 LAUREATS OF NAOS ECOBIOLOGY PRIZE 2024

 

1- Dr Bernadette IRMA, The skin microbiome profiles in urban and rural populations in various indonesian geographic locations (INDONESIA)

2-Dr Emma CONLON, Health status, life and death of society around the Dead Sea (IRELAND)

 

NAOS ECOBIOLOGY PRIZE JURY 2026

The Jury is composed of the President of the MAAB Foundation, members of its Board of Directors and leading scientists from the NAOS Scientific Advisory Board appointed by Jean-Noël Thorel.
The organization of the Jury’s work and deliberations is determined independently by its members.
Jury deliberations are always confidential. The Jury may request the help of an expert to assist it if it considers that it does not have the necessary skills to understand and evaluate a given research project. This expert’s mission is confidential and he/she must not have any interest that could influence his/her judgement.

• • Dr Philippe CHARLIER, President of the Jury
  • Pr Alain ASTIER, de l’Académie Nationale de Pharmacie – French National Academy of Pharmacy
  • Pr Dominique GARCIA, président de l’INRAP (Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives) – President of INRAP (Preventive Archaeological Research National Institute)
  • Pr Jean-Robert PITTE, secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres (Institut de France) – Perpetual secretary of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres Academy (Institut de France)
  • Elena ROSSONI-NOTTER, PhD., directrice du Musée Princier d’Anthropologie, Monaco – Director of the Musée Princier of Anthropology, Monaco
  • Dr Jacques CHEVALLIER, dermatologue, président de l’Académie des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Lyon – Dermatologist, President of the Académie des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Lyon
  • Pr Geneviève HERY-ARNAUD, professeur de bactériologie, CHU de Brest – Professor of Bacteriology, Brest University Hospital
  • Pr Miroslav RADMAN, de l’Académie des sciences de l’Institut de France – Academy of Sciences of Institut de France
  • Pr Brigitte DRENO, de l’Académie nationale de Médecine – French National Academy – ex-chef du service de Dermatologie au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes – Former Head of Dermatology, University Hospital Center
  • Philippe  COMPAGNION, Polytechnicien, Paris – Polytechnician
  • Eric PERRIER, ingénieur spécialisé en biologie cutanée et cosmétologie, Lyon – Engineer specialized in skin biology and cosmetology
  • Dr Corinne DECHELETTE, Pharmacienne, Docteur es sciences, licenciée en philosophie, auteure, Toulouse- PharmD., Ph.D., graduate in philosophy, author
  • Dr Loris REPELLIN, Pharmacien, Directeur de la communication globale NAOS, Lyon, PharmD. , NAOS global communication director

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS until June 10, 2026

NAOS, in partnership with the Association « Les Sciences au service de l’Histoire » (MAAB Project / Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and Biology), chaired by Dr Philippe CHARLIER, is organizing the NAOS International ECOBIOLOGY Prize to reward a research project on the NATURAL HISTORY OF HEALTH at the confluence of the medical sciences and the humanities (biology, medicine, dermatology, anthropology, archaeology, psychology, philosophy and art history) based on the integrative approach of Ecobiology*.

The prize consists of an award of 15,000 Euros.

It is open primarily to national and international researchers and teams attached to a university hospital or university structure until June 10, 2026.

The prize will be awarded by an interdisciplinary scientific board drawn from the Association « Les Sciences au service de l’Histoire » ‘s Board of Directors and scientific personalities appointed by Jean-Noël THOREL, pharmacist and biologist, NAOS founder.

The award is presented at an official ceremony alongside the EADV Congress the first October 2026 in Vienna, Austria and the winner is required to attend.

* Ecobiology: More than just a word, a philosophy emerging from skincare. L. McEwen, C. Déchelette, S. Fauverghe, Ethics, Medicine and Public Health 31 (2023) 100954. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2023.100954
* NAOS Ecobiology White Paper (available on request)
* Ecobiology, a unique, forward-looking philosophical approach to skin care. C. Déchelette, L. McEwen, AM. Granet, Revue Hegel,1, 2024.

 

APPLICATION FORM

 

PRIZE REGULATIONS

 

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Philippe CHARLIER at philippe.charlier@uvsq.fr