Student of the Week // Antoine Seilles
Antoine Seilles – 31 years old – Originally from Albi – Resident of Montpellier since 1993 – Ph.D. in Web Data Science at LIRMM since 2011
“Before NaturalPad and while I was still in school, I founded a short film association called imagiLAB with some friends.”
[ Could you introduce yourself in a few words? ] – An entrepreneur and avid video game enthusiast, backed by a top-notch team.
[ What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? ] – Video games, of course, but also comic books, science fiction and heroic fantasy novels, and movies… Before NaturalPad and while I was still in school, I founded a short film association with some friends: imagiLAB. I also really enjoy writing. And the NaturalPad team works out regularly, which is essential for building team spirit and relieving stress.
[ Your studies? ] -I pursued a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science Applied to the Sciences, culminating in a thesis on the use of the web and the visualization of data derived from social network analysis in the context of online debates. Alongside my early years of computer science studies, I earned a bachelor’s degree in performing arts with a concentration in film.
[ Can you tell us about the NaturalPad concept? ] – NaturalPad is developing MediMoov, a web-based platform featuring motion-based games designed for adapted physical activity. The idea is to enable people to engage in physical activity tailored to their individual abilities through motion-based video games.
Currently, MediMoov is primarily offered to nursing homes, so we have seniors using it. However, we plan to offer the solution to specialized facilities in the field of functional and postural rehabilitation.
[ What's your typical day like? ] – Actually, I don’t do much IT work anymore. I have quite a few meetings with investors, public relations engagements with the institutions supporting us, and business development. I really enjoy spending time with the management team. But I’m often on the road.
[ What's your favorite place on campus? ] – The green spaces at the Faculty of Sciences. We’re lucky to have such a great climate in Montpellier, and I’ve always found it very pleasant to be able to enjoy the university’s green spaces during my lunch breaks. I also really like the room in Building 16 of the Computer Science Department. I spent most of my time there as a part-time instructor, but I think it’s a great space for interaction between faculty and students. Plus, we organized a game jam there two years ago, and that’s a fond memory. The Botanical Institute also has a very beautiful lecture hall. Overall, I think the Institute of Botany is a great space. We’re housed at Euromov within the UFR STAPS. It’s a part of the university I discovered later on, and it’s really pleasant. Euromov is a new building and very well designed for industry-lab collaboration in the movement sciences. I also recently discovered part of the CHU’s heritage. Between La Colombière and Lapeyronie, there’s a series of old buildings with a lot of character.
[ What's your favorite place in Montpellier? ] – That’s a tough question—I love wandering around downtown on the weekends. I enjoy both Old Montpellier and the shops in the city center. The St. Roch neighborhood, the Azimuts bookstore, the graffiti along the Verdanson riverbanks, St. Anne’s Church (which doubles as an art gallery), La Panacée, and the restaurants on Rue des Écoles Laïques or Rue de l’Aiguillerie, like Chez Laïd and Burger’n’co, Le Bric à Brac… We also have two video game-themed bars: the Final Spot and the Meltdown. I hesitated for a while about launching that as a project before NaturalPad. I love the concept, and I think these places haven’t yet shown their full potential.
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