My desire to explore an area with a more direct impact on sustainability led me to the field of energy transition. That is why I joined Inergio, a dynamic startup that is developing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can run on a wide range of fuels.This flexibility is very interesting because, as you may know, most hydrogen production today relies on fossil fuels (close to 95 %), which is not ideal for a truly green solution. In addition, the infrastructure for green hydrogen storage… Show more My desire to explore an area with a more direct impact on sustainability led me to the field of energy transition. That is why I joined Inergio, a dynamic startup that is developing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can run on a wide range of fuels.This flexibility is very interesting because, as you may know, most hydrogen production today relies on fossil fuels (close to 95 %), which is not ideal for a truly green solution. In addition, the infrastructure for green hydrogen storage and transportation is still under development.The solution proposed by Inergio fills this gap with a system that can use readily available fuels such as propane and natural gas, allowing for immediate implementation. Then, as green hydrogen becomes more accessible, users can easily switch to this cleaner option.In this start-up, I enjoy the dynamic environment of a small team. My role is diverse. I contribute to R&D activities in the laboratory, such as the development of SOFC systems, catalysts and coatings, as well as the initiation of our own cell fabrication. In addition, I have established operational and safety procedures to prepare for future industrialization. I have also had the opportunity to conduct preliminary Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to evaluate the environmental impact of our product, and to participate in fundraising and communications activities. Show less

It's well known that research is just the beginning, and I was eager to explore the complexities and challenges of industrialization.An opportunity arose at Givaudan as an industrialization chemist in the development of fragrance delivery systems. The goal was to encapsulate fragrances in polymer capsules the size of a human hair to protect them during storage. These capsules could then be added to products such as detergents, fabric softeners or deodorants. When these capsules were… Show more It's well known that research is just the beginning, and I was eager to explore the complexities and challenges of industrialization.An opportunity arose at Givaudan as an industrialization chemist in the development of fragrance delivery systems. The goal was to encapsulate fragrances in polymer capsules the size of a human hair to protect them during storage. These capsules could then be added to products such as detergents, fabric softeners or deodorants. When these capsules were exposed to sweat or friction on fabrics during activities such as walking, they would rupture and release the fragrances. Our challenge was to industrialize the production of the first biodegradable capsules!My main role was to transfer a novel encapsulation technology from research (1 kg scale) to production (several tons) while ensuring safety, quality, and timely delivery. I had to interact and coordinate with various departments including Research, Production, Business, Sales, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and EHS. I realized how crucial timing was and learned to make quick decisions based on limited data. Additionally, leading a team of up to seven technicians and managing conflicts were entirely new experiences for me. Although I made some beginner mistakes, I learned from each one.Together with the team, we optimized technology transfer, prepared, and implemented standard operating procedures, validated processes, and participated in risk management, chemical product specifications, and safety regulations. We also provided support for production and addressed customer complaints.All these activities, along with the dynamics of human interactions between different departments, made my two-year tenure intense and immensely rewarding. Show less

I was looking for an opportunity to delve deeply into a project without being overly constrained by resources or time. A thesis seemed ideal for me, especially considering the exciting topic I was offered: the development of new robust polymeric implants containing more than 90% water for the treatment of load-bearing tissues such as articular cartilage or meniscus.This multidisciplinary project was a collaboration between two laboratories: Processing of Advanced Composites and the… Show more I was looking for an opportunity to delve deeply into a project without being overly constrained by resources or time. A thesis seemed ideal for me, especially considering the exciting topic I was offered: the development of new robust polymeric implants containing more than 90% water for the treatment of load-bearing tissues such as articular cartilage or meniscus.This multidisciplinary project was a collaboration between two laboratories: Processing of Advanced Composites and the Biomechanical Orthopedics. It involved evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of materials, material processing (i.e. viscosity, UV polymerization, and microgel fabrication by emulsion and microfluidics), biocompatibility (i.e. cell proliferation studies), and simple mechanical design (i.e. clamping system for very soft materials), as well as strain mapping using digital image correlation.In addition, I improved my skills in using Excel, MATLAB, and R for rigorous data analysis. I also gained experience in communicating results for scientific journals and conferences.Beyond my research, I also fulfilled teaching assistant responsibilities. This involved supervising six students for semester projects and leading six groups of 4-5 students for small group projects, as well as conducting various practical exercises.Furthermore, I had the responsibility of managing the chemical laboratories, ensuring they remained clean and safe, managing waste, and ordering necessary consumables and chemical products.After four years, we ended up with a range of PEG-based hydrogels. Depending on the targeted properties (viscosity, toughness, swelling ratio), we proposed neat and granular hydrogels which were either reinforced with cellulose fibers or self-assembled silk fibroin.In the end, the thesis was titled "Hybrid Hydrogels for Load-bearing Implants”, I authored five papers, presented four times at conferences, and won two awards for best presentation at small conferences. Show less

My first experience in a multinational environment came at Stryker, where I was able to improve my communication skills in 3-4 languages: English, German, Swiss-German and French. During my 6-month internship, I conducted a variety of biomechanical tests on medical instruments and implants, ranging from static and dynamic testing, wear and corrosion resistance, to packaging integrity. This experience not only provided valuable experience, but also helped me develop the art of writing clear and… Show more My first experience in a multinational environment came at Stryker, where I was able to improve my communication skills in 3-4 languages: English, German, Swiss-German and French. During my 6-month internship, I conducted a variety of biomechanical tests on medical instruments and implants, ranging from static and dynamic testing, wear and corrosion resistance, to packaging integrity. This experience not only provided valuable experience, but also helped me develop the art of writing clear and concise reports, a skill that proved essential for my thesis. In addition, as a materials engineering intern, I had the opportunity to develop and implement new test methods, such as assessing the presence of volatile polymers in implants. Show less