French Experiential Learning
FAEC Foundation + STILSA:
Empowering STEM students with an interest in the French-speaking world through international science education
Expanding Access to Global Experiential Learning
The French-American Education and Cultural Foundation (FAEC), in partnership with FACC-Ohio, is proud to support the STILSA (Students in Life Sciences Abroad) program at The Ohio State University.
Together, we’re launching a fundraising campaign to help French-speaking students pursue paid, credit-earning research internships with top institutions in France and other French-speaking regions.
These life-changing opportunities give students hands-on research experience in fields such as:
- Marine & Plant Biology
- Terrestrial Ecology
- Biomaterial Science
- Animal Ecophysiology
Your donation helps build a future where more students can study, discover, and grow—abroad.
About STILSA
Founded by Dr. Patrice Hamel and based in OSU’s Department of Molecular Genetics, STILSA connects undergraduate and recently graduated students with international, faculty-mentored research experience in academia and internships in non academic setting.
Students conduct research across disciplines such as:
- Neuroscience
- RNA Biology
- Forest Ecology
- Systems Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Zoology and more
Current partner universities include:
- Sorbonne Université, Paris-Saclay Université, Université des Antilles (FWI)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- University of Sao Paolo, Brazil
- Institutions in Belgium, Spain, Québec and Colombia
Company partners: 2tonnes (France), Agrivalle and Visagio (Brazil), Kelpinor (Norway).
As of 2025, STILSA has supported 83 students whose majors span a wide range of biology-related disciplines, including Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics.
Make An Impact – Support the FAEC–STILSA initiative.
Help us send more STEM students abroad to explore science and the francophone culture firsthand.
Donate Today — Every gift supports global education and explore science and culture first hand!
Co-Chair
- Dr. Patrice Hamel - The Ohio State University
- Cédric Le Rouge - FACC Ohio / ADEXMA
Contacts:
About Dr. Patrice Hamel: Dr. Hamel is a tenured faculty in the department of Molecular Genetics at The Ohio State University (OSU). He received my Ph.D. in the field of Genetics from the University of Paris-Saclay (France) in 1999. Following a post-doctoral training at UCLA, he joined OSU as a faculty engaged in research and teaching in 2006. He spearheaded several international education initiatives in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) now grouped under the umbrella program STILSA. As of 2025, STILSA served 83 students with Norway as the focus of the global education efforts. Contact Dr. Hamel at hamel.16(@)osu.edu