Elisabetta Comini
Your organization field and mission
Studies in medicine, engineering, economics and law.
Please tell us briefly about your role in the company / at your organization:
I mainly work with nanotechnology and, in addition to my teaching and research activities, since 2022 I have been the rector’s delegate for Innovation and Technology Transfer.
Your interest in STEM
I always liked mathematics much more than physics. I was very indecisive in my enrollment between mathematics, physics, or chemistry. Then, following my instincts, I opted for physics, and I’m very happy about my decision. Physics is very practical, unlike mathematics, it is applicable to everyday life, explaining what is surrounding us.
At the end of university I wanted to start working but my brother, together with my thesis supervisor, encouraged me to follow the path of the doctorate.
Your studies
In this area, even if not said, a woman with children can hardly make a career, which is why I had children late. I cannot say that there is equality between men and women to date on this. Generally, the highest positions are held by men, while women generally have limited powers.
Hold on because with passion you can achieve everything, regardeless of the means. We need to be aware that women need to do more to be seen, even if, to date, many people have opened up to gender equality and the attention on this topic is higher. It’s always important to find the job that makes you happy.
You at work
Now with the Gender Quality Plan, we are advancing several initiatives to train and inform people on the topics, so as to bring everyone’s attention to gender balance within jobs.
The internationally recognition, is the thing that gives me the most satisfaction because it means that my work, from the scientific point of view, is recognized. Even when I can set an example in schools and let people know that it is possible to achieve this goal, without giving up just because there are gender differences. Moreover, it makes me happy and proud when the people with whom I work with feel comfortable and free to be themeselves.
Another important achievement at National level that makes me prous, is that I was recognized as Top Italian Woman Scientists!
To have an experience abroad, because I believe it is the basis for opening our minds, since research is approached differently in different countries.
Your point of view
Technology is crucial in women’s lives. Today, for example, in medicine, we start to make gender medicine, and that is a fundamental point also for our health. Before, studies were always done on men, and this difference was not even considered.
I would give the same advice to any woman in any sector, which is to do what you really want, without being conditioned.
The field of microelectronics is very much addressed to men. We must make it clear and form those “old-fashioned” people that women can have the same skills than men. In scientific activity, women often have the necessary characteristics of practicality and organization, which are very useful in research. We need to train children in schools on the gender issue, including in the field of microelectronics.
To finish with
Ethics but above all the integrity of research and of the person, in all aspects and not sectoral to a single sector of life.
Continue to do research without being depressed by administrative problems, or difficulties in spending money on the necessary instrumentation for research.
I hope to see myself again in my working group, and gradually starting to pass the management to those who will come after me, correctly preparing both the people of the group and the person who will take this role. If interested, here the link to the laboratory (SENSOR Laboratory).