The former head of the Department of Processes for the Environment and Georesources (PEG) has been appointed director of the Centre for Chemical Engineering (SPIN) for a three-year term. She succeeds Jean-Michel Herri.
When did you take up your new position and what are your main responsibilities?
“I officially took up my new position on January 1, 2024, after four months of immersion working alongside Jean-Michel Herri. This transition period provided an opportunity to find my bearings and understand the scope and responsibilities of my new role. Beyond managing the center’s human and financial resources, I will focus on steering and implementing major structural projects that align with the school’s and IMT’s overall strategy. This work will involve recruitment to support research on chemical process engineering, particularly issues related to the mines of the future, industrial sovereignty, and the recycling of rare metals. It will also concern digital technology and process digitalization, with research conducted on sensors and the creation of digital twins using AI and physicochemical models—the DNA of the Centre for Chemical Engineering. Finally, we will have a role to play in the Campus of the Future project in general, as well as in installing significant-scale pilot facilities in our premises to address questions from companies seeking our expertise.”
You are the first woman to hold this position. What does that mean to you?
“First and foremost, I feel a great sense of responsibility given the magnitude of the task ahead. Being the first woman to hold this position is not something I perceive concretely in my daily work. I have always been accustomed to working in a male-dominated environment since engineering school. This position represents above all a new professional challenge. I come with a desire to learn and, at the same time, to share my experience with all my colleagues.”
First and foremost, I feel a great sense of responsibility given the magnitude of the task ahead.
Ana Cameirao, Director of the Centre for Chemical Engineering
What advice would you give to women who want to become engineers?
“I would tell them that it’s in their hands and they should go for it. The important thing is to do what you love while trusting in your ability to work hard. Of course, motivation, confidence, surrounding yourself with the right people, and being well-informed are essential. Even though I knew I wanted to work in the field of engineering, I went through various periods of questioning before entering the world of science and research. These stages of doubt are beneficial for becoming more confident in your choices.”
RÉSUMÉ – ANA CAMEIRAO
- Born February 1, 1978, in Lisbon (Portugal)
- Resides in Saint-Étienne (42)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering, University of Lisbon (2004)
- PhD in Process and Environmental Engineering, National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (2007)
- Habilitation to Direct Research in Engineering Sciences, HDR, Jean Monnet University (2016)
