I have a PhD in physics, but for the past four years I’ve been in the exciting world of business. I’m the co-founder and manager of Morphotonix Sàrl. With our award-winning, patented technology, we provide product authentication simply and securely through nano-engraving.
I’m passionate about having been given the opportunity to have a second career that has little to do with the R & D I was doing until I was 38. This second career is all about the art of human interaction and understanding how things work behind the scenes and what consumers see. Working with my colleagues is a real pleasure. And being able to offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to our clients fits well with my values and personal goals.
My career path. I thought I was at the peak of my academic career after completing my PhD in physics at Yale, then a postdoc in micro and nanotechnology at EPFL and the University of Basel. I also obtained a major research grant, Ambizione, from the Swiss National Science Foundation. But I was looking for the next challenge. My university colleagues and advisors supported me. Morphotonix would not have survived without my colleague and co-founder, Vaida Auzelyte, who is also a friend. And others – mentors, instructors, advisors, family members and friends – have provided emotional support. And my daughter, who reminds me that all aspects of life have to be beautiful.
A downside or obstacle ? I used to teach during my academic career, and I hope I’ll reach a point in my business career where I have something useful to share with people. I like thinking of what you call obstacles as challenges. It all depends on how you approach a situation. I was brought up in a loving and close-knit family where there was a lot of respect for education. So I felt ready to leave home at 21 without even being able to buy a return ticket. Yes, I’m surrounded by men in my work, but I’ve become used to this environment since I was at university in the States. I studied at Caltech, and at the time 80% of students were men. But things are changing now, and it’s starting at an early age. So there is hope.
I’m proud that I’m always curious and that I try to remain open and flexible when dealing with whatever comes my way.
The Proust Questionnaire
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Au-delà de votre profession
Ma famille, les plages et coquillages, être dans
la nature, faire du ski et lire.
Des personnes qui vous inspirent
Meg Urry, première femme à occuper un poste permanent au Département de physique de Yale. Invitée à prendre le thé chez elle, elle nous
a raconté comment un de ces anciens professeurs s’exclamait «Meg, mais vous voulez tout avoir ! –
une famille et une carrière !» et Stephen Hawking.
Un livre & un film
J’en ai plusieurs et petite, Autant en emporte le vent (Victor Fleming).
Un modèle
J’ai plusieurs modèles tout en trouvant difficile d’essayer de s’inspirer de quelqu’un d’autre.
Un objet
Les ratons-laveurs
Une couleur
Le vernil (Vert du Nil)
Un rêve
Plus d’éducation pour un monde plus stable
et plus heureux.
