Women in Hydrogen Campaign

“Hydrogen” was not a vocation, but materials science was. I very early wanted to understand why certain components had some properties, could break or not. That is why I decided to become an engineer in materials science. I did a very applied PhD on ferritic stainless steels used for automotive exhaust systems. The subject was at the crossroads of materials science, electrochemistry, and mechanics. I had the opportunity to carry out characterizations at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, to measure the behaviour of materials under very high pressure. It was an incredible experience — I think that was the moment I realised that in research, there is truly the opportunity to do exceptional things.

After my PhD, I joined an industrial research centre, still in the field of steel, and I contributed to developing steel grades with advanced corrosion and mechanical properties for the automotive and oil and gas markets. I had contacts at the CEA who informed me about a job opportunity as a European project manager in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells. I was interested in the subject, as well as in the European project environment. The CEA seemed to me the ideal research setting: applied research with excellent research facilities that you don’t find elsewhere, and with stakes that were more significant than in industry, particularly societal and environmental, particularly with the development of clean energies, which were meaningful for me. I applied and was selected. After 20 years, I still think I made the good choice to select the field of hydrogen technologies 😊.

The development of Solid Oxide Technology, which operates at high temperature (> 700°C) to produce hydrogen at high efficiency. I had the chance to join CEA at the onset of the development of the high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis technology. And when I look over my shoulder, I can see how many achievements we have obtained since the beginning. On this technology, specifically, of course, because we started from the materials and manufactured small cells only at that time, and now we are designing large stacks and modules and operating them for thousands of hours. From an industrial point of view, CEA has transferred its technology to the Genvia company. Genvia’s CEO, Florence Lambert, always says that I am the mother of the technology, and when I saw the first stack produced in the Genvia factory under the careful eyes of our French president, it was a special, touching moment for me.

When we developed the technology at the very beginning, we faced many challenges. When we tested the stacks, we often faced some unexpected loss of performance, of tightness,…

These challenges have been overcome by teamwork, since many physics are involved in these phenomena, and we need many skills (mechanics, electrochemistry, material science, fluidics, thermodynamics) that could be gathered from the different members of the team. It has also required a lot of commitment from the team: we never gave up.

Yes, at CEA, we have a lot of women working in the field of hydrogen technologies, bringing key competencies for the different technology developments, the testing activities and the projects.

Do not doubt yourself and your capacities to realise big things. Especially in the field of hydrogen technologies, where discoveries are still possible and even expected, everything is possible. You just need to dare and believe it is possible.

What brings me the greatest joy is weaving together ideas, people, and resources to create meaningful and lasting outcomes. I find fulfillment in nurturing innovation, guiding projects with care, fostering genuine collaboration, and watching ideas blossom gracefully into real innovative solutions. I say ‘yes’ to opportunities that inspire growth, spark curiosity, or allow me to contribute to something truly impactful – it’s the blend of challenge, creativity, and purpose that draws me in.

My journey into hydrogen research was first inspired by its immense potential to contribute to a sustainable energy future, allowing me to unite my passion for material science with the mission of addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges. The promise that advanced research can create real environmental and societal change drew me in and continues to fuel my dedication. What excites me most today is the feeling that we’re no longer just imagining possibilities – we’re turning them into reality. The pace of innovation is incredible, and each breakthrough, whether in novel materials, efficient storage, or integrating hydrogen into energy systems, feels like another step toward a more sustainable future. It’s inspiring to see how science, engineering, and strategy converge to shape a future we can all believe in.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is establishing a recognized presence in protonic ceramics, where my research in material science and hydrogen has contributed to meaningful advances for the broader scientific community. Equally fulfilling has been witnessing the success of my group, whose creativity, dedication, and collaboration have brought ambitious ideas to life, including winning projects in highly competitive programs. Beyond the professional achievements, mentoring the next generation of researchers and seeing their growth has been deeply rewarding. On a personal level, being a mother of two has taught me patience, balance, and the quiet joy of nurturing growth – lessons that continue to enrich both my work and daily life.

A significant challenge in my career was navigating a work environment where unethical practices and a toxic leadership undermined professional growth and threatened the integrity of scientific research as a whole. Facing and responding to these prolonged hardships required courage to challenge an outdated hierarchical power structure, self-discipline to stay focused on priorities despite hostility, and a steadfast commitment to my values. I focused on maintaining the quality and rigor of my work, supporting colleagues, and advocating for transparency, integrity, and ethical standards. This experience strengthened my resilience, sharpened my leadership skills, reinforced my principles and taught me the power of maintaining professionalism and empathy even in difficult circumstances.

Women have not only the talent and capability to succeed in science and technology, but they also bring a strong professional background, combined with unique perspectives that elevate approaches and spark innovation. Women contribute empathy, collaboration, and creative thinking that transforms challenges into opportunities. However, I believe success should be determined by talent, dedication, and collaboration rather than gender, background or position. Creating supportive, inclusive, and merit-driven environments is essential to enabling everyone to thrive. Progress flourishes when knowledge is shared, opportunities are fostered, and individuals are supported to contribute meaningfully, building a culture of ethics and respect where everyone can truly excel.

I would tell young women considering a career in hydrogen research or STEM to know their value and never doubt their worth. These fields thrive on bold ideas, innovation, and diverse perspectives – your unique vision and approach are essential. Keep learning, work both hard and smart, embrace challenges, and take risks – these experiences will shape you professionally and personally in ways you can’t yet foresee.

To my younger self, I would say: be fearless in the face of hardships, stay true to your values, and never lose yourself because of what others say or think. Remember that even in the toughest moments, perseverance, integrity, and a hunger to learn will open doors beyond anything you can imagine. Looking back from today’s perspective, I know this guidance would have been invaluable.

To be honest, hydrogen was not the most obvious choice at the beginning of my career as a chemical engineer. Although hydrogen and electrolysis have been known for a long time, their real-world applications have gained considerable importance only in recent years.

When I started working at the European Commission, energy policy was increasingly focusing on unlocking hydrogen’s enormous potential in the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. This vision inspired me. Through my work at the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, I am proud to contribute daily to making the entire hydrogen value chain and its various applications more affordable, more efficient, and more widespread.

What really attracted me was the fact that hydrogen holds so much untapped potential as an energy carrier. Given the global challenges we face today, hydrogen can play a key role in reducing emissions, ensuring energy security, and helping Europe become more energy independent. It feels meaningful to be part of this journey and to contribute to it on a daily basis.

I am very proud of having contributed to the significant progress and scaling up of hydrogen technologies over the past two decades. More than any single milestone, I am proud of how my expertise and dedication, along with the collective efforts of my colleagues, have helped shape the European hydrogen landscape into what it is today.

It is incredibly rewarding to see concrete results: from pilot projects to large-scale industrial applications in our Hydrogen Valleys, and to know that our work has paved the way for a greener and more resilient energy future. I am also proud of the great teams I have been privileged to lead and work with, their dedication and commitment inspire me every day.

I would say: it depends. There are many factors at play, not all are directly linked to the workplace itself. In public institutions like our Joint Undertaking, we have clear equal opportunity policies, and throughout my career I have witnessed the remarkable talent and intelligence of both my female and male colleagues.

In leadership roles, I have also seen how teams truly benefit from diversity. Women often bring unique perspectives and excel at managing complex, multitasking environments, skills that are invaluable in our field.

However, statistics still show that women remain underrepresented, particularly in senior positions. The reasons are varied: a lack of visible role models, work–life balance challenges, especially around childcare or care for the elderly, and, in some cases, cultural expectations. This is why it is so important to foster flexible and supportive work environments that enable everyone to thrive, both professionally and personally.

I am very encouraged to see how much progress has been made. Compared to twenty years ago, there are significantly more women at the table today and it will only get better if we continue to support and empower the next generations concretely.

On a personal level, I make it my mission to encourage passionate and knowledgeable women I work with every day, and to give them – as well as my male colleagues – the flexibility they may need to balance their professional and family lives.

My advice is simple but sincere: Go for it! Don’t be discouraged by the fact that some technical fields are still male-dominated. Your expertise, your ideas, and your perspectives are needed more than ever.

Diverse teams are proven to be more innovative and effective, and women’s contributions are essential to solving the complex challenges we face in energy and technology today.

Moreover, careers in hydrogen often offer strong opportunities for growth, impact, and financial independence. So, believe in yourself, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to speak up and claim your seat at the table. It’s up to all of us to make the field more balanced and inclusive – and your voice can help shape that future.

Since the early days of my professional career, I have been closely connected to the renewable energy sector. Before entering the hydrogen sector, I worked in the photovoltaic sector for two years. I started my “hydrogen journey” in 2009 because a friend of mine also started working there and sparked my interest for a new adventure, both challenging and exciting. At the time, I was unaware of all the applications that hydrogen could have and how important it would be in the coming years in the global energy context. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with many fascinating professionals, learning invaluable insights from them. During this time, I also have also attended numerous congresses and workshops focusing on hydrogen advances, further enriching my skills and knowledge.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been the opportunity to drive meaningful change and contribute to shape a sustainable future. Being at the forefront of innovation allows you to witness first-hand the development of revolutionary technologies that can significantly impact energy systems and reduce carbon emissions. As an example, at CNH2 we have been part of projects for hydrogen-powered trains, green ammonia production and utilization, and maritime ports decarbonization.

Working in an environment that bridges academia and industry creates an incredibly dynamic space where meaningful breakthroughs occur. Knowing that our work contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape not only motivates me but also inspires the talented team I lead. Recognitions like the Innovation Award recently received by CNH2 from the European Clean Hydrogen Partnership make turning ideas into pioneering projects even more rewarding.

Throughout this time, I have faced many challenging moments, and the fact that we have been able to successfully complete all our work as a team is something I am truly proud of. For example, with the recent boom in the hydrogen technologies the increase on highly qualified personnel increased and most of my colleagues moved to the private sector. At that time the Engineering Unit I lead had three big projects plus some smaller ones, and I had to train a new team on very short notice. Thanks to their dedication and adaptability, we successfully completed all our projects. As the saying goes, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’.

In my view, gender equality in the hydrogen sector is still far from being achieved, reflecting the reality of most STEM fields. Although the presence of women in technical roles is increasing, there is still considerable progress to be made. A clear example is the composition of discussion panels at international conferences, which are often predominantly male or have very limited female representation.

This is why it is crucial for women to make their work visible and actively support one another. Invisible barriers still exist, unrelated to professional competence, yet they continue to hinder women’s career progression.

STEM careers are the driving force behind innovation and progress. Young women with curiosity, creativity, and determination have the power to change the world. They must not let stereotypes limit their potential, as more and more women are making a significant impact in these fields. The talent and vision of young women can open new doors, break down barriers and lead to revolutionary solutions. Science and technology need diversity of ideas.

That is why I strongly encourage young women to explore hydrogen research, a fascinating field where they can contribute to the development of technologies that will shape a better future. Brilliant minds among young women must believe in themselves and get involved in hydrogen. By doing so, they will not only contribute to progress but also inspire the next generation of leaders.

From the very beginning, I was inspired by hydrogen’s unique characteristics, as a clean, flexible, and storable energy carrier, capable of transforming how we think about energy production, storage, and consumption. Over the years, this early curiosity evolved into a deep commitment to advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for real-world use.

Today, what excites me most is the momentum we’re seeing globally, across policy, industry, and research, to implement hydrogen as a pillar of the energy transition. I’m also proud to serve as Chair of the IEA’s Technical Collaboration Programme (TCP) on Advanced Fuel Cells, where we coordinate global efforts in research, development, benchmarking, and modelling of electrochemical energy conversion systems.

The TCP serves as a platform to align science, policy, and market development and I am honoured to guide this effort at such a critical time for energy innovation.

I’m particularly proud of my role in representing Italy within key international organizations such as Hydrogen Europe Research and the IEA. Being entrusted to coordinate complex international initiatives such as the IEA TCP on Advanced Fuel Cells, which brings together scientists, engineers, and policymakers from over 20 countries, is a major milestone.

These roles are not only about scientific leadership; they’re about building vision, fostering dialogue between disciplines and sectors, and translating shared goals into action. Being part of this global ecosystem of knowledge and innovation is a privilege, and I see it as a responsibility to represent both the scientific community and the broader public interest.

One significant challenge has been balancing technical depth with the ability to lead large, diverse teams, especially in projects where engineering, policy, economics, and regulation intersect. Early in my career, I realized that scientific excellence alone was not enough; leadership requires clarity, empathy, and the ability to communicate across different cultures and expertise.

I overcame this by actively developing my communication skills and by listening to different perspectives. Creating trust among project partners, understanding institutional dynamics, and promoting common purpose have helped me turn challenges into opportunities for impact.

Yes, I firmly believe that women have all the skills, knowledge, and vision needed to thrive in scientific and technological fields. In hydrogen research — as in many areas of STEM — talent, curiosity, and perseverance are what make the difference. We are increasingly seeing environments that recognize the value of diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership.
What’s important now is to continue building these inclusive cultures, to support role models, and to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to contribute fully. Women can and should be part of the change, and we all have a role in making this the norm, not the exception.

To young women I say: believe in your abilities. Be curious, ambitious, and surround yourself with people who value your voice. A career in science can take you far when driven by passion and resilience. To my younger self, I would say: don’t be afraid to take the lead. Keep learning, stay grounded in your values, and embrace every opportunity to grow, even when it feels uncertain. The path you’re on has meaning, and the impact you’ll create will be both lasting and worthwhile.