Jean-Charles Gille

Who was Jean-Charles Gille?

Dr. Jean-Charles Gille-Maisani, was a French, born in Germany, later Canadian, engineer, psychiatrist and professor of medicine.

Gille was born in Trier, where his father, originally from Lorraine, was a superior officer in the French garrison. He learned German early in life and moved on to learn French, English, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Polish, not to mention he also learned Latin and Ancient Greek.

He entered the École Polytechnique in 1943. After graduation, and a year of specialization at the "École nationale supérieure de l'Aéronautique", he studied at Harvard where he received "Master of Arts" degree in the newly created Automation discipline. Back in France in 1948, he entered the "Services techniques aéronautiques" and worked in the engines and special objects. He was also a certified pilot and colonel.

In 1953 he started studying medicine, and received a Ph.D. in 1960, with a specialisation in psychiatry and psychology. At the same time, he was director of studies at the E.N.S. de l'Aéronautique and created in 1962, with Marc Pélegrin, the CERA center which expanded rapidly, having in 1965, 70 to 80 employees.