Exceptional women’s careers in science celebrated at École Polytechnique

ʽIn life, there is nothing to fear, everything is to be understood.ʼ With this quote from Marie Curie, astrophysicist Anne-Marie Lagrange illustrates her view of the world and of science in particular during the lecture she gave at École Polytechnique as part of the event Female Researchers: Research by Women at École Polytechnique, held last April on campus. In her own words, Anne-Marie Lagrange was not destined to pursue research or a career in the scientific world. The reasons: her social background (modest), her place of residence (rural), her gender (female). Yet her determination drove her to pursue her passion: science, and more specifically astrophysics. ʽWhen you believe you can achieve results, you have to see things through to the end, even if it takes perseverance,ʼ she told an audience of fellow researchers, students and staff at École Polytechnique. Throughout her distinguished career, this École Polytechnique alumna (class of 1982) has sought to understand the world, and above all the world beyond our solar system. Anne-Marie Lagrange is indeed one of the pioneers of exoplanetology, a scientific discipline that studies planets located outside our solar system.

Anne-Marie Lagrange is not the only one to have built an extraordinary career, as demonstrated by the scientists speaking at this event. Anne Bourdon, a researcher at the LPP (Laboratory of Plasma Physics), is still surprised by her own success. ʽWhen I was doing my PhD, I never imagined I would one day become a research director at the CNRS,ʼ she tells the audience with great humility. 

Towards greater gender diversity in research

Although the number of female scientists has increased, gender diversity remains an issue in the world of research. ʽThe situation has improved significantly in this area. We are certainly still a long way from gender parity, particularly at the highest levels of the hierarchy, but I am convinced that we are on the right track,ʼ says Anne-Marie Lagrange.

Certain disciplines, such as mathematics, can be ʽintimidatingʼ, according to researcher Marie Doumic of the CMAP (Centre for Applied Mathematics at École Polytechnique). ʽMathematics has, since its inception, been a selective discipline, which can deter some aspiring students. Nevertheless, fear should not be a determining factor in our educational and career choices. It’s natural to feel that way. I’m convinced that even the greatest mathematicians have moments of doubt or fear during their careers.ʼ Marie Doumic explained during her talk that it was biology that drew her to mathematics at a very early age. ʽApplied mathematics in biology was really starting to take off in France. It fascinated me when I was at school, because I really loved biology.ʼ One passion leading to another, she joined Inria years later, initially focusing on biology, then on mathematics. She has been working there for around twenty years now. 

Advancing research together

Understanding, asking questions and interacting with other scientists is key to advancing research. ʽHuman relationships are at the heart of our work. Collaboration is essential if we are to achieve results. It is important to ask the right questions together,ʼ explains Vicky Kalogeiton, an artificial intelligence researcher at LIX (École Polytechnique’s Computer Science Laboratory).

Interdisciplinarity lies at the heart of the research conducted by many scientists, including Claire Leclech, a bioengineering expert at LadHyX (Hydrodynamics Laboratory). ʽI carry out work in cell biology, bioengineering and biophysics. Interdisciplinary research provides a comprehensive view of the processes under study. Thanks to this understanding of the fundamental mechanisms, we can then propose relevant applications.ʼ