Godefroy Devevey

My research focuses on life history theories, with keen interests on host-parasite relationships and on the role played by oxidative stress in shaping life history trade-offs.
During my PhD in Lausanne, Switzerland, I investigated the costs of flea parasitism at the juvenile and adult stage using the common vole (Microtus arvalis) as study system. By using an experimental approach, I demonstrated that fleas have substantial costs in terms of delayed development, alteration of physiology, immunosuppression and reduced lifespan. To test if voles could evolve a predictive adaptive response to parasitism (Rickard & Lummaa, 2007, Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism), I used a long-term approach where I followed individuals infested with fleas both at the juvenile stage and adult stage. I found no evidence that voles infested with fleas in adulthood performed better if they had already encountered fleas at the juvenile stage.
During my Ph.D, I also ran side-projects in ecophysiology, parasitism and life-history theories using bats, great tits, alpine swifts and flamingos as study systems, which has allowed me to diversify my research experience and to cultivate my naturalist knowledge.
Nowadays, I am trying to extend my results from individual-based studies to population-based studies.

Born on November 14, 1980 in Paris, France. Since June 2008 Young researcher in the groups of Dr Philippe Christe and Dr Pierre Bize, University of Lausanne. May 2004 - May 2008 PhD thesis. Costs of parasitism and anti-parasitic defences in the common vole, supervised by Dr Philippe Christe, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. 2003- Spring 2004 Master thesis. Antioxidants, life history traits and resource allocation theory in birds, supervised by Dr Bruno Faivre, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France. 2002- 2003 French Master of Research in Ecophysiology, and Behaviour, University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France. 1998-2002 Undergraduate studies in Biology, University of Burgundy and Toulouse, France. During my studies, I also had research experience in evolutionary ecology with Dr G. Sorci (Paris, France), Prof F. Cézilly (Dijon, France) and Prof Pat Monaghan (Glasgow, UK).