Interview with Francesca Bragheri

“If you believe in what you do, you will be able to find the resources to support it”

In our series #WomeninScience, we will hear from the female scientific staff working on nanoSCAN, telling us about their roles in the project, what inspires them about their work and their experiences as a woman in science.

Meet our fourth guest, Francesca Bragheri, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies of the CNR in Milan.

Please introduce yourself.

Ciao, I am Francesca: engineer, scientist and mother of two kids. I took my degree and my PhD in Electronic Engineering at the University of Pavia in Italy. After a few years as a postdoc, I moved to the National Research Council (CNR) in Milan, where I am currently Senior Researcher at the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies of the CNR. During my years of research in Pavia, I worked in integrated photonics, nonlinear optics and biophotonics. Then I moved to Milan, where I learnt how to exploit femtosecond lasers for microstructuring glass substrates. The competence acquired throughout these activities allowed me to develop lab-on-chip for single cell manipulation, analysis and imaging, with the final aim of exploiting them in cancer research

How did you find out what your path was after school?

When I decided to study Engineering, I was still unsure which orientation appealed to me. When I then had the opportunity to attend a presentation on lasers, the passionate words of the speaker and my first ever experience with a microchip containing more than 40 lasers intrigued me so much that I decided to focus on photonics.

The idea that a device I’m working on might contribute to the future of cancer therapy is a major and irresistible driving force in my current research activity.

What fascinates you most about your job?

Miniaturisation! I still find the idea of integrating a large experimental apparatus into a single millimeter-sized chip exciting. But nowadays, for me, the implementation of research and usage of designed devices is far more interesting than miniaturization itself. The idea that a device I’m working on might contribute to the future of cancer therapy is a major and irresistible driving force in my current research activity.

What would you recommend young talents who want to step into tech/working life?

Never be shy or afraid about your knowledge. Instead try to be prepared as much as you can and focus to grow constantly. Keep pursuing contacts and friendships since the early stage of your career, these might become fruitful collaborations in the future.

Can you share a specific experience that made you grow?

An important experience that made me grow was changing jobs. When I moved to Milan, I had to step out of my comfort zone and get back in the game. The opportunity to join a stimulating environment, with many people and research projects, motivated me because I felt I had to prove something again, who I was.

Keep pursuing contacts and friendships since the early stage of your career, these might become fruitful collaborations in the future.

What was your biggest challenge of working in science so far?

My answer 15 years ago: get a permanent position to keep working in science

My answer 10 years ago: get a European grant to keep working in science

My answer 5 years ago: get an equilibrium between family and working in science timings.

But, honestly, tomorrow I might answer differently as the nice thing of working in science is that there are always new challenges to face

Your advice for women and girls in science:

Don’t give up! Your best idea may never be recognized, but if you believe in what you do, you will be able to find the resources to support it.


Thank you for the interview, Francesca!

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