Olivier Thomas is Emeritus professor EHESP, at the French School of Public Health, Rennes, France. He holds a State Doctorate in Physical Sciences, a 3rd cycle doctorate in analytical chemistry, an expert degree in prevention and treatment of pollution, and a Master of Science and Engineering Technical air and water environment of the University of Savoie. He worked at the University of Savoie, Chambéry, at the University of Provence in Marseille, and the School of Mines in Ales, where he was director of engineering laboratory and industrial environments. At the University of Sherbrooke, he became the first director of the Observatory of the Environment and Sustainable Development, leading an interdisciplinary network of nearly 150 researchers addressing complex environmental issues.