Meet our new academic staff from the Department of Engineering

What first attracted you to the field of Engineering?

I was first attracted to the field of physics as an undergraduate student and my other strong interest at that time was architecture. After high school, I almost pursued an education to become architect.

Over time, I realised that engineering was the field where these two passions intersect, where scientific principles and creative design come together to solve real-world problems. This gradual realisation made me appreciate engineering not just as a subject, but as a way to turn ideas into practical, innovative solutions.

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about Engineering?

I think the biggest misconception is that engineering is an elitist field, especially in France where I am from, where the Grandes Écoles system (and the "concours/prépa" pathway) and earlier royal engineering schools (Ponts, Mines, Arts et Métiers) have created a strong association between engineering diplomas and social privilege.

That reputation comes from a long history of selective institutions that were set up to train the state’s technical elite, whose graduates have disproportionate access to top industry, government and management roles.

However, this view overlooks how engineering is collaborative, problem-focused, and increasingly diverse. Luckily, modern engineering has many routes into the profession (universities, vocational routes, international programs), increasing outreach and reforms aimed at widening access so this misconception is fading away.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying Engineering?

The main advice I would give to someone considering studying engineering would be not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of disciplines and career paths that engineering offers.

It’s a broad field, and it’s normal not to have everything figured out at the beginning. Studying engineering provides you with transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to learn quickly, that will allow you to move between areas over time.

I would also encourage staying curious and up to date. Engineering is constantly evolving, with new tools, methods, and technologies emerging rapidly, often ones that engineers themselves help to shape. Being open to continuous learning and adaptation is just as important as mastering the fundamentals.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

One thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I didn’t used to like maths in high school. Despite that, I studied physics as an undergraduate and ended up really loving it.

Over time, I came to appreciate the logic and problem-solving aspects of maths when they were applied to understanding phenomena I was interested in work, particularly in acoustics.

Using mathematical models to describe how sound waves propagate within enclosed spaces, and our ability to hear sound spatially helped me see how abstract equations translate into very real, tangible phenomena, and how they shape my research discipline.

What do you do in your spare time?

Outside of work, I mainly practice capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. I love it as it combines physical movements with live music. Practicing capoeira allows me to explore my connection with my own body, improvising and expressing myself, while simultaneously challenging my coordination, strength, and focus.

What I also love about capoeira is the always-unique conversation with the other player that one enters during a game, guided by the live orchestra. For me, it is a form of expression that nourishes the mind and the body.

Besides capoeira, I play the classical guitar when I get a chance, which offers another avenue for personal expression and creativity.