I studied Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Zoology (graduated in 1987) at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). I initiated my research career as a molecular cell biologist with a PhD (obtained in 1992, Institute of Biochemistry, UNIL) studying polarised membrane trafficking in mammalian epithelial cells. I investigated the role of phosphorylation of the mammalian polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in the transcytosis of its ligand, dimeric IgAs, both key molecules of the mucosal immune system. Being fascinated by evolutionary biology and recognising the power of comparative approaches and evolutionary biology to provide general insights into the molecular and cellular biology or eukaryotic cells, I joined the Natural History Museum London for a NERC-funded postdoctoral project on ciliate molecular evolution (1992-1996). My work provided novel insights into ciliate phylogeny and allowed me to polarise the evolution of ciliates nuclear dualism. My newly gained skills in evolutionary molecular cell biology equipped me to compete successfully for two Wellcome Trust grants: “Career Development Fellowship” (1996-2000) and “University Award” (2000-2004). My research program since then has focused on the molecular cell biology and evolution of common parasites focusing on Trichomonads and Microsporidia. In 2004 I joined Newcastle University where I currently research at the Biosciences Institute and teach at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences.