Philipp Hess
La Chapelle sur Erdre, FR
Research Projects
After studies of chemistry at Universität des Saarlandes (DE) and EHICS Strasbourg (FR), PhD in 1998 on organic contaminants in the marine environment (UK). Subsequently, study of algal toxins, initially focusing on domoic acid, saxitoxins and okadaic acid and analogs. In 2001, he helped implement chemical testing for domoic acid and lipophilic toxins in parallel to mouse bioassays to combat azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (IE). He then investigated toxin isolation and reference materials for official control, facilitating legislative changes in Europe for lipophilic toxins. Furthermore, he implemented proficiency testing for shellfish toxins within QUASIMEME, undertook method validation exercises for domoic acid and lipophilic toxins and contributed to standardisation of methods (UK-FSA, EU-project BIOTOX, ECVAM, CEN, INAB, AFNOR, AOAC Presidential Task Force for Phycotoxin Methods). In parallel, he contributed to risk evaluation & management, through a number of WGs (Irish, UK and French Food Safety Agencies, European Food Safety Agency (10 risk assessments from 2006–2010), FAO Expert consultations 2005/2016/2018-20).
Since 2008, P. Hess continues his studies on phycotoxins at the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Seas, Ifremer. His research interests cover the biodiversity and ecological role of toxic algae as well as the detection, chemistry, diversity and impact of phycotoxins on the marine environment and human health. More specifically, the laboratory performs algal culture for the production of purified toxins and generic methods for biodiscovery based on high resolution mass spectrometry. He also teaches a course on phycotoxins at Nantes University and has served as the adjunct director of the regional Research Federation on ocean & coastal activities (IUML, CRNS 3473), 2010-2013. Since 2011, he contributes to communicating science to policy stakeholders through the European Science Foundation Marine Board WG “Oceans and Human Health”, has assisted the EU-FVO (Food and Veterinary Office) as expert at inspections of EU and third countries for compliance of shellfish production with EU regulations. Since 2011 he represents France on the Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IOC-UNESCO), where he chairs Task Team 1 (Biotoxin Detection, Management and Regulation) and also more recently contributes to the Interagency CFP strategy implementation (since 2017); since 2023, he also acts as the Chair of IPHAB. Since 2013, he directs the French Research Network GdR PHYCOTOX – Ifremer, CNRS 3659 (http://www.phycotox.fr), and since 2022 he is the director of the Ifremer research unit PHYTOX (Physiology & Toxins of HABs).
Affiliation:
Private Expert