Student of the week // Antoine Seilles
Antoine Seilles – 31 years old – Originally from Albi – Lives in Montpellier since 1993 – PhD in Web Data Informatics at LIRMM since 2011
“Before NaturalPad and alongside my studies, I founded a short film association with friends: imagiLAB.”
[ Can you introduce yourself in a few words? ] – Entrepreneur, passionate video game researcher, surrounded by a crack team.
[ What are your passions? What are your hobbies? ] – Video games, of course, but more broadly comics, science fiction and heroic fantasy novels, cinema... Before NaturalPad and alongside my studies, I founded a short film association with friends: imagiLAB. I also really enjoy writing. And in the NaturalPad team, we regularly play sports, which is essential for good team spirit and stress relief.
[ Your studies? ] -I studied mathematics and computer science applied to science, culminating in a thesis on the use of the web and the representation of data from social network analysis in the context of online debates. Alongside my early years studying computer science, I completed a bachelor's degree in performing arts with a focus on cinema.
[ Can you tell us about the NaturalPad concept? ] – NaturalPad is developing MediMoov, a web-based platform offering motion-based games for adapted physical activity. The idea is to enable people to exercise in a way that is tailored to their abilities using motion-based video games.
MediMoov is currently mainly offered to retirement homes, so we are targeting seniors. However, we plan to offer the solution to specialized facilities in the field of functional and postural rehabilitation.
[ What is your typical day like? ] – Actually, I don't do much IT work anymore. I have quite a few investor meetings, public relations with the institutions that support us, and sales prospecting. I really enjoy spending time with the management team. But I'm often on the road.
[ Your favorite place at university? ] – The green spaces at the Faculty of Science. We are lucky to have a great climate in Montpellier, and I have always found it very pleasant to be able to enjoy the university's green spaces during breaks between noon and two. I also really like the room in Building 16 of the computer science department. I spent most of my time there as a temporary teaching assistant, but I find it to be a good space for interaction between teachers and students. We also organized a game jam there two years ago, which is a fond memory. The Institute of Botany also has a very nice lecture hall. Overall, I think the botany institute is a great space. We are based at Euromov within the UFR STAPS. It's a part of the university that I discovered late in the day, and it's really nice. Euromov is a new building that is very well designed for exchanges between companies and movement science laboratories. I also recently discovered part of the CHU's heritage. Between La Colombière and Lapeyronie, there are a series of old buildings with great character.
[ Your favorite place in Montpellier? ] – That's a tough question. I love walking around downtown on weekends, both in Old Montpellier and the shops in the center. The St. Roch neighborhood, the Azimuts bookstore, the graffiti on the Verdanson riverbanks, the St. Anne exhibition hall church, La Panacée, the restaurants on Rue des Écoles Laïques or Rue de l'Aiguillerie, such as Chez Laïd and Burger'n'co. Le Bric à Brac... We also have two video game-themed bars: Final Spot and Meltdown. I hesitated for a moment about setting this up as a project before NaturalPad. I love the concept and I believe that these places have not yet shown their full potential.
Witness appeal: If you would also like to participate in our presentation of students from the University of Montpellier, write to us.