Chaouqi Misbah is a Research Director of Exceptional Category at the CNRS (National Centre of Scientific Research in France). His work spans from pattern formation in nonlinear science to complex fluids and biophysics. In 2002 he received a major award from the French Academy of Science for his achievements and in 2003 Grenoble University honoured him with a gold medal. Leader of a group of around 40 scientists, he is a member of the editorial board of the French academy of Science since 2013 and also holds numerous national and international responsibilities.