Spotlight series on Women in OPeraTIC

We are proud to highlight the exceptional women driving innovation within our project. Their groundbreaking work and leadership are shaping our future and serving as powerful role models for the next generation in technology and manufacturing.

This initiative will showcase their achievements and unique perspectives, particularly in photonics, to inspire more women to pursue careers in these fields and to promote an inclusive, diverse environment.

Stay tuned as we celebrate the remarkable women who are paving the way for future innovators.

Zaira Modroños Berdiñas

Optical Engineer

What is your current role in the OPeraTIC project, and what are your primary responsibilities? 

My role in OPeraTIC is technical. I’m involved in the design, development, and integration of the laser head’s monitoring tools. 

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into the field of photonics/laser technology? 

My background is in Astrophysics. I studied Physics because I knew I wanted to turn my passion into my professional path, and I did. I spent a few years discovering exoplanets, first from Spain and the UK during my PhD and later from Chile with a few postdocs. I participated in very exciting studies, such as the discovery of our closest neighbor planet in the Proxima Centauri system. However, even during my MSc, I started to be more attracted to the instrumental part of the job: cameras, telescopes, spectrographs, laser guide stars…This slowly shifted my focus from the theoretical to the instrumental part related to optics. Then, I decided to move to the private sector and started working in the design of custom optical systems, including a camera now in space! This new professional direction led me to discover the fascinating world of photonics, which I’m currently exploring at AIMEN. 

Can you share any significant achievements or milestones that you have reached during your time with OPeraTIC? 

I would say my main milestone in the framework of OPeraTIC has been helping in carrying the monitoring tool from concept to its first working prototype. To reach this goal, I worked through several phases such as 1) concept validation through optical design simulations, 2) assembly and final testing in our laboratory, and 3) comparison of the expected results with initial simulations after developing specific software for this purpose. However, the most exciting achievements will surely come soon with the integration into the DLIP laser head developed by Dresden University. 

What steps do you think organizations should take to create a more inclusive environment for women in tech? 

I think the key is in the question itself. The goal shouldn’t be to reshape the current environment to include women but rather to rethink and recreate it, considering all the people who form it. In my opinion, such a paradigm shift is what will enable companies to benefit from the unique ways women approach and handle challenges and will allow women to be themselves instead of being forced to adapt to a men’s world. One particular example along these lines is to make working hours more flexible. Such a measure could potentially benefit all employees, but especially women, since, sadly, the burden of caregiving in our society still largely falls on women. Therefore, I think measures like flexibility, equal salaries, and any other initiatives that help balance gender gaps are key to getting women more involved in tech.

Ana Queirós

Project Manager

What excites you most about the future of photonics and laser technology? 

One of the things that excites me the most is the potential for this project to revolutionize large-scale industrial manufacturing through cutting-edge research and innovation. The focus on ultra-short-pulsed lasers in the OPeraTIC project is particularly exciting. These lasers offer exceptional precision and efficiency in material processing, which is crucial for the future of manufacturing. The ability to precisely manipulate materials at the micro and nano scales opens new possibilities in industries like aeronautics and automotive, where precision and quality are key. I am thrilled to contribute to the development of technologies that can significantly enhance the capabilities of these sectors. The application of OPeraTIC’s innovations across diverse sectors is particularly motivating. Each of these industries has distinct needs and challenges, and the ability to validate the platform’s effectiveness through real-world testbeds is crucial. The potential to make a tangible impact across such a broad spectrum of industries underscores the versatility and power of the technology we are developing. This broad application is not only technically exciting but also speaks to the wide-reaching benefits of our research. Ultimately, what excites me most is the potential for photonics and laser technology to shape the future of manufacturing. OPeraTIC has the potential to revolutionize how products are made, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and innovative manufacturing processes. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? 

I decided to pursue a career in joining technologies because of their critical role in modern engineering systems. Whether it’s welding, adhesive bonding, or mechanical fastening, these technologies are essential for creating everyday consumer products and industrial machinery. The challenge of ensuring strong, reliable, and durable joints initially drew me to this field. I was inspired by how crucial joining technologies is to innovation in engineering. The success of many engineering designs depends on the quality and performance of their joints. Understanding this motivated me to explore the science and engineering of these processes. The variety of challenges involved in joining technologies also inspired me. Each material, such as metal, composite, or polymer, presents its own set of challenges when it comes to joining. Understanding material properties, thermal effects, and mechanical stresses, and how these factors interact during the joining process, is intellectually stimulating. Finally, as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I was driven by the desire to contribute to an area of engineering that is often overlooked but is essential to the success of larger systems. I saw an opportunity to innovate and mentor the next generation of engineers, particularly women, in critical yet sometimes underappreciated areas of mechanical engineering like joining technologies. 

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of working on a cutting-edge project like OPeraTIC? 

Balancing personal life with working on a cutting-edge project like OPeraTIC can be challenging, especially as a PhD woman with two toddlers. To manage this, I rely on time management, support from my partner, setting clear boundaries between work and home life, flexibility, and a deep sense of purpose. First and foremost, I use time management and prioritize tasks to make the most of my day. My partner and I, both contribute to managing the household and childcare. Having reliable childcare options also provides peace of mind while I’m working. I’ve learned to be adaptable and kind to myself, accepting that some days won’t go as planned. Lastly, knowing that I’m contributing to groundbreaking research while nurturing my family is incredibly rewarding and keeps me motivated. Balancing personal life with the demands of a cutting-edge project like OPeraTIC involves careful time management, a strong support network, clear boundaries, flexibility, and a deep sense of purpose. By embracing these strategies, I can thrive both as a mother and a project manager. 

What steps do you think organizations should take to create a more inclusive environment for women in tech? 

I believe that creating a more inclusive environment for women in tech requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both structural and cultural barriers. One of the most crucial steps is offering flexible work options, such as remote work, flexible hours, and part-time roles. For women with young children, like myself, the ability to adjust work schedules around family needs is invaluable. Organizations should normalize these practices and ensure they are accessible to everyone without stigma or career penalties. Organizations should promote robust parental leave policies for both mothers and fathers. This not only supports women during the critical early months of motherhood but also encourages a more balanced distribution of childcare responsibilities between parents. Gradual return-to-work programs can make a significant difference. Another crucial aspect is the need to actively promote and support women into leadership positions. Diverse leadership teams bring varied perspectives, which can lead to more innovative solutions. Setting goals for female representation in leadership roles can drive accountability and progress. Fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusion is key. This includes creating safe spaces where women can voice their concerns, encouraging open dialogue about gender issues, and celebrating the contributions of women in the organization. An inclusive culture also means addressing any form of discrimination or harassment swiftly and decisively. Clear and transparent career pathways are important for retaining women in tech. Organizations should ensure that promotion criteria are transparent and based on merit and that women are encouraged and supported to pursue these opportunities. Regular performance reviews and constructive feedback are essential to help women achieve their career goals. Finally, it’s essential to engage men as allies in the pursuit of gender equity. By actively involving men in discussions about diversity and inclusion, organizations can foster a more inclusive environment where everyone feels responsible for supporting and advancing women in tech. Mens‘ participation is not just beneficial, it’s crucial.

Céline Petit

Process Engineer

What is your current role in the OPeraTIC project, and what are your primary responsibilities? 

For the OPeraTIC project, I am responsible for providing simulated data to train machine learning models. In partnership with colleagues from the technology center AIMEN, I make the link between their need in terms of data and what we are able to simulate with our machining profile simulation software LS-PLUME®. Artificial intelligence algorithms are quite data intensive. Therefore, it was necessary to automate the simulation of profiles via our software. In this context, I developed a python script to automatically launch simulations in our software with each input machining set of parameters requested by AIMEN. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work? 

During my free time outside of work, to relieve stress and recharge my batteries, I do a lot of sport: from crossfit to xcore. I like the team spirit that we can find in crossfit and the fact of constantly trying to push our limits. Sport also allows to clear mind before coming back home and promotes a good balance between professional and personal life. All of these elements are important and help to be efficient when working on a cutting-edge project like OPeraTIC. I have also had my horse for 18 years. Visiting her is always an opportunity to get some fresh air and spend time in nature. It is in these moments that good ideas are sometimes born. 

What excites you most about the future of photonics and laser technology? 

Before Lasea, I worked for 5 years in research with continous emission lasers, which is a different technology from what we are using here. So, I have been working for a short time in the context I currently know. However, I can already see that laser technoloy continues to evolve and with each new advancement in this world we push new limits and discover new processes and new machining methods that constantly improve perfomance. When we look to the future, we see that there are still a lot of research and discoveries that will need to be done, which is very exciting. 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in photonics or a related field?  

From my point of view, the world of photonics is an area where all enthusiasts have their place, regardless of gender. Unlike other branches, I find that the man/woman ratio is quite balanced. In addition, mentalities have evolved and women are increasingly represented in many fields. Especially since COVID, with work being a place where you spend a lot of time, it’s important to choose something you like. Consequently, if you are a young woman passionate about this sector, don’t hesitate. 

How does diversity within the OPeraTIC team contribute to the project’s success? 

Diversity within a project is for me a key element of its success. All people working on a project form a large team with a common goal. Within a team, diversity is extremely important and helpful, it allows to have different points of view, different backgrounds, and different knowledge. All these characteristics lead to innovative ideas and good results. 

Tamara Delgado García

Laser Researcher

What is your current role in the OPeraTIC project, and what are your primary responsibilities?

Within the OPeraTIC project, I’m mainly working on the laser surface texturing experiments, investigating the fabrication of functional surfaces for the use-cases applications; as well as fabricating laser textures for training AI models. Regarding this last point, I’m also collaborating with the definition of the parameters ranges to be investigated. In addition, as part of AIMEN team, I’m helping with coordination and management tasks; as well as participating in the experimental tests needed for the final integration of the OPeraTIC system.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work?

Outside of duty, I enjoy spending time with my family. I appreciate a good meal and spending time outdoors. I really value the time I spend with my daugther and my husband, and I try to spend as much time as I can with family and friends.

How do you see the innovations from OPeraTIC impacting the future of manufacturing and technology?

Laser surface texturing (LST) is a powerful tool to modify the functional surface properties of materials such as tribological or optical properties. However, the implementation of LST at industrial scale still presents some challenges. Thanks to the developments carried out within the OPeraTIC project in high-power ultra-short pulse lasers, optical fibers, dynamic beam shaping, robotics, process monitoring and AI-enhanced laser processes; we will be able to overcome the current limitations and boost the adoption of laser technologies for LST at industrial scale.

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into the field of photonics/laser technology?

I studied Physics at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain). I was in the last year of my physics degree when I got a grant to work with the laser processing group at my university, then I discovered the amazing world of laser and photonics and I realized that I wanted to know more about such world…so I got a master’s degree in laser technologies. Finally, I achieved a PhD in Laser Materials Processing. Since 2017, I have continued increasing my knowledge and expertise in laser technologies as part of the laser microprocessing group of AIMEN.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced while working on the OPeraTIC project, and how did you overcome them?

OPeraTIC is a cutting-edge project where different challenges arise. The development of the novel OPeraTIC system requires the collaboration of experts from many different fields such as lasers, optics, robotics, AI or process monitoring. In this context, we are able to overcome every technical challenge thanks to the knowledge shared among the experienced partners of OPeraTIC.

Anne Henrottin

Innovation Project Manager

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of working on a cutting-edge project like OPeraTIC?  

Since I become a Mum, I have learned the importance to have a well balance between my personal life and my work in very cutting-edge R&D projects as OPeraTIC. To achieve this, I reduce my time at work to a 4/5 and take one day with my child. In the end, I found that I was even more efficient on my 4 days than when I had 5 and I continued to have an almost identical workload compared to my situation without child and without abandoning my private life. I found a well balance in my life thanks to this. 

What excites you most about the future of photonics and laser technology?  

I’ve been working in photonics research for 11 years now and I’ve never had a dull moment. The field of photonics is progressing very quickly, with lasers becoming more powerful, determining how to manage and multiply beams and applying our knowledge of laser processes to new sectors that benefit the environment is very rewarding for me.

How do you stay motivated and inspired in your work?

The research domains never stop to innovate. I think that is the aspect of my work that help me to stay motivated. We can explore, innovate, create new components, new processes and concepts that maybe one day will help people. It is rewarding to work in this kind of environment. 

As a woman in the photonics/laser technology field, what unique perspectives or strengths do you bring to the table?  

I think that as a woman, I catch rapidly the situation, I can analyse it easily and adapt myself to the objective. The women are known to be able to perform many tasks at the same times, we have this faculty to manage tasks rapidly, in a structured way and efficiently. Thanks to our technical background we can provide quick inputs once our background is recognised by our work environment.

What do you think are the biggest challenges for women in tech today, and how can we address them? 

In the tech domain, it’s not easy to make your mark as a young woman. Even after 11 years in this field, in some meetings, it is still necessary to prove my values and my competencies. For me, now I take this as a challenge : “how to convince quickly the person I’m talking to of my skills“. It always is more work for a woman to prove her worth than a man. The mentality is starting to change with the new generation but there is still some work to be done to convince the whole photonics sector of the value of women. I observed more and more initiatives to promote the woman internationally, such as Photonics 100. I was voted one of the 100 most innovative people this year and that gives me the chance to take part in various conferences and articles. It is also difficult for a woman to reach a position of responsibility in a company. Some companies are trying to achieve parity on the management committee but this is a minority in our field.