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Can you describe your student journey until the start of your PhD?
I have always been passionate about engineering and hands-on work, which led me to study at the Polytechnic University of Turin. During my master's degree, I had the opportunity to go on an Erasmus exchange to Toulouse, often considered the European capital of aeronautics. This experience proved to be a turning point in my academic path.
While in Toulouse, I undertook a research internship where I met my future PhD advisor. Initially, I had never seriously considered pursuing a PhD, but this experience completely changed my perspective. I realized that research excited me far more than I had anticipated, and I saw the value in deepening my expertise in a specialized field. Encouraged by this, I decided to embark on a PhD near Paris, focusing on the topological optimization of ultra-lightweight structures for the aerospace industry.
Pursuing a PhD is no easy task. What is your impression of your time as a PhD student?
Every PhD journey is unique in terms of organization, relationships with advisors, international collaborations, and more. It is difficult to generalize what one might encounter during this period. However, a challenge that I personally faced, and which is quite common, is the moment when you find yourself in a field where experts have been working for their entire careers, while you have just begun—and yet, you are expected to contribute at a comparable level of quality.
During a PhD, producing scientific work is a key requirement, and to do so, you must build upon existing research. This means reading numerous papers and inevitably comparing yourself to them. The more you learn, the more you realize how difficult it is to make a significant contribution given the high quality of existing work.
Personally, I tackled this challenge with the guidance and encouragement of my advisors, who reminded me that a PhD is, first and foremost, a learning period. Its ultimate goal is not necessarily to produce groundbreaking results that will change the course of humanity, but rather to teach you how to conduct research for the first time. Think about the first time you rode a bike—did you win the Tour de France that same day?
What are the most valuable skills you gained from your PhD?
Here, I will not focus on the specific technical skills related to my research project, though they are, of course, extremely valuable, especially if they align with industry or academic needs. However, sometimes the field of research is too advanced or niche for immediate industry applications. So, what else can a PhD graduate bring to the workplace beyond technical expertise?
As a PhD student, one of the first challenges is learning how to conduct research effectively. You must develop the ability to explore the literature, identify gaps, and formulate research questions. However, research is only part of the process—you must also learn how to present it. Whether through conferences, papers, or posters, communicating your findings is crucial. You need to adapt your technical explanations based on your audience, making complex topics accessible to experts and non-experts alike.
Beyond presenting your research, another essential skill is learning how to persuade others. Whether it’s convincing your advisor that a particular approach is worthwhile, defending your findings in a peer review process, or explaining your work to collaborators, the ability to justify and argue for your ideas is key. A PhD teaches you to navigate these discussions, balancing confidence in your work with openness to feedback and improvement.
One additional and often-overlooked skill needed to pursue a PhD is time and motivation management—essential for staying committed to your work. These skills are invaluable in the industry, and acquiring them early on is an incredible asset.
What is your current position, and how has your PhD been useful in your daily work?
I am currently working on the preliminary overall aircraft design with innovative propulsion systems (LH2, electric) for European-funded projects at ONERA, the French Aerospace Lab. ONERA is a leading research institution dedicated to advancing aeronautics and space technology, bridging fundamental research with industrial applications. A major focus of these projects is the decarbonization of aviation, aiming to develop more sustainable and efficient technologies for the future of air travel. It is an incredibly exciting job because I feel like I have never stopped learning—there is always something new to discover.
Not only do I get to work on technical aspects such as aeronautical disciplines, numerical optimization, and software engineering, but I also engage in presentations and reports for workshops with colleagues across Europe. The collaborative and multidisciplinary environment makes it extremely stimulating!
Beyond the technical competencies I gained during my PhD, such as aeronautical structures and numerical optimization, the most valuable lesson I learned was how to acquire new knowledge quickly without assuming that I already know enough. My PhD also taught me to believe in myself and in my ability to see a project through to completion.
If you had to give one piece of advice to future PhD students, what would it be?
If the idea of doing a PhD has ever crossed your mind, find a professor whose work inspires you, choose a subject that excites you, and go for it. A career lasts over 40 years, while a PhD takes just three. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. And if you realize along the way that it is not for you, not finishing your PhD does not mean your efforts were wasted—you will have still gained valuable experience.