To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Candice Rey, a research engineer and the recently appointed co-holder of the Cellulose Valley Chair, shares her career journey, what inspires her every day, and her perspective on the role of women in science.
Why did you choose to work in the field of cellulose and bio-based materials?
I have always been drawn to things that come from nature. Cellulose offers an extremely wide range of applications, with real potential to improve our daily lives, our health, and our environment. In my view, bio-based materials represent a tremendous opportunity to address concrete sustainability challenges. These are issues that affect us all, and they give meaning to my scientific work.
What has your journey been like at the Cellulose Valley Chair?
I started out as a research engineer and coordinator of short-term projects. I quickly developed a strong interest in issues related to bio-based packaging. The chair offers numerous opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive professionally. Today, as a co-holder of the chair, I am delighted to continue this journey alongside passionate colleagues and committed industry partners who are ready to join us in projects that are sometimes ambitious, even daring, to design more environmentally friendly packaging.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I would say it’s the opportunity to share with students during scientific projects and at conferences, but also with the general public through outreach and communication initiatives. These moments of dialogue are always enriching and stimulating, and they fuel both my thinking and my commitment.
Why do you think it’s important to strengthen women’s role in science?
Women make up about half of the population. It is therefore only natural that they should play a full and active role in scientific and technical fields. Science has no gender. Diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to creating a truly dynamic team. It is this complementarity that fuels innovation. For me, diversity is the key to the success of scientific projects.
Throughout her career, Candice has highlighted a committed and collaborative approach to research, where diversity, passion, and knowledge-sharing fuel scientific innovation. We thank her for this inspiring story!
Watch her video testimonial
