iSAS
Innovate for Sustainable Accelerating Systems
Innovate for Sustainable Accelerating Systems
CNRS/LPSC
Particle accelerators are exceptional instruments for science and society, yet progress must be done to reduce their electrical consumption: this is the goal of iSAS, which gathers experts from EU labs developing energy efficient accelerator components. As the manager of external relations, I liaise with other R&D programs and report on iSAS progress to the accelerator community.
Universality. If I work on a very specific topic that I want to discuss, I can contact experts in other labs all around Europe, or even further. My work environment has no physical boundaries, I am part of a wide network.
Go for it! If science is truly your calling, believe in yourself and go for it. Science is inclusive, it welcomes everyone who is eager to contribute.
Particle accelerators are often developed as part of large-scale international collaborations, and my years of experience in this field have prepared me for this type of environment. Within such projects, the common language is the science which is developed. And people are happy to share their work. These are the basics for a good collaboration.
We are used and trained to scientific communications for our work via publications or conferences, this is an important part of our job. In addition, I believe that we have a duty towards society to present our science and explain why it is important. All too often, the general public does not perceive any link between research and their daily lives, yet most accelerators in the world are used for industrial or medical applications. We must also reach out to schoolchildren to attract the next generation of researchers.
CNRS/LPSC
My work in iSAS project focuses on enhancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of key accelerators components, delivering transformative benefits across science, medicine, and industry.
Particle accelerators are engines of progress – enabling breakthroughs in fundamental physics, cancer treatment, and nuclear energy. Yet, their substantial energy requirements present a major sustainability challenge. The iSAS project addresses this by pioneering technologies to considerably reduce energy consumption in accelerators.
As part of this effort, I lead the design of critical components—Fundamental Power Couplers (FPCs) and Higher-Order Mode (HOM) absorbers—with a dual focus: minimizing their energy footprint (which can represent up to half of a linear accelerator’s cryogenic load) and optimizing them for sustainability and manufacturability. Beyond design, I oversee their production and testing for integration into the cryomodules of energy-recovery linacs (ERLs) such as iSAS/PERLE and BriXSinO. This work also supports the demonstration of beam energy recovery, a groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize the efficiency of high-power accelerators.
On a broader scale, these advancements pave the way for more sustainable scientific research, wider access to cutting-edge technologies, and a significantly reduced environmental footprint for facilities driving discoveries in physics, medicine, and beyond.
What truly surprised me about working in accelerator physics is the remarkable diversity of expertise and how seamlessly it all integrates. I knew the field would be highly technical, but I didn’t expect the deep interconnectedness of the work—radiofrequency, high-voltage systems, beam dynamics, vacuum technology, cryogenics, and control-command engineering, all converge in ways that continually challenge and expand my knowledge/understanding.
But what surprised me even more was the people and the culture. Despite the complexity of the field, the environment is exceptionally welcoming and collaborative. You’re surrounded by brilliant, passionate individuals from all walks of life, who trust and rely on one another. In accelerator physics, everyone—regardless of gender, nationality, or experience—has a voice and an opportunity to contribute. That sense of inclusion and shared purpose was unexpected, but it’s something I’ve come to deeply cherish.
At the start of my career, the most important lesson I needed to learn was this: self-doubt is not a flaw, it’s proof you’re growing. Even the most experienced professionals question themselves, but they’ve learned to channel that uncertainty into preparation, curiosity, and resilience.
I wish someone had told me sooner that mistakes aren’t failures, they’re lessons, and that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a strategic advantage. Above all, I needed to realize that science thrives on collaboration: you’re never alone, and your value multiplies when you trust your team as much as you trust yourself.
This mindset would have spared me unnecessary stress and allowed me to embrace the learning process with confidence and clarity.
The shift from being a great researcher to leading a team required a fundamental change in mindset.
As a researcher, my focus was on depth, precision, and individual excellence—mastering methodologies, developing simulation codes, analyzing data, and delivering rigorous results.
But leadership demanded a completely different skill set.
I had to learn to delegate effectively and trust my team’s expertise, which meant letting go of control and instead focusing on removing obstacles for others. I developed emotional intelligence—actively listening, providing constructive feedback, and adapting my approach to different personalities.
Most importantly, I learned to think strategically: prioritizing tasks based on impact, anticipating challenges, and aligning our work with broader objectives. This transition taught me a key lesson: while research is about solving problems, leadership is about empowering others to solve them even better.
One of the decisions I’m most proud of, and the first one I made, was joining the iSAS project. This initiative aligns perfectly with both my professional passions and my core values. Beyond that, it has given me the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional colleagues from renowned institutions like IJCLab/CNRS, CERN, and LASA/INFN, from whom I have learned a tremendous amount. Working alongside them is a true privilege.
When faced with unforeseen challenges, such as potential delays in component production, I took a proactive approach. I anticipated the risk of missing a critical milestone and proposed revised, realistic deadlines well in advance. This gave us time to negotiate with the European Commission and thanks to this decision, we secured an extension. As a result, our team was able to work without the pressure of unrealistic timelines, ensuring both quality and peace of mind.
I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage more women to join the field of particle accelerators. While it has historically been male-dominated, this is exactly why we need your perspective now more than ever.
There are endless exciting opportunities—from pioneering cutting-edge technologies to leading groundbreaking research—and your unique skills, insights and creativity are not just welcome, they are essential. If you’re passionate about science, innovation, or tackling complex challenges, this is a field where you can truly make a difference and help shape the future.