To mark the International Day of Girls and Women in Science on February 11, Bertin Alpao highlights the career of Marie Laslandes, an expert in adaptive optics. She discusses her scientific journey and her key projects.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background before Bertin Alpao?
I’ve always been interested in science, especially optics and astronomy. After a scientific baccalaureate, I attended preparatory classes and then enrolled in a physics school (ENSPG, now Phelma) at INP Grenoble, where I completed my engineering studies. At the time, about 30% of our class was female, which was a record!
I then pursued a PhD at the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory, co-funded by CNES and Thales Alenia Space. I worked on developing a deformable mirror for future space telescopes, at a time where adaptive optics for space applications was in its debuts in Europe. It was a fantastic experience working with researchers and industry professionals on this fascinating topic. That’s when I started using Bertin Alpao’s deformable mirrors.
After my PhD, I was fortunate enough to continue working on the same topic in California: I spent two years at Caltech. Then I was recruited by the French Space Agency. Following that, I joined a laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, where I worked on adaptive optics concepts applied to ophthalmology.
Throughout all these experiences, I was always in contact, directly or indirectly, with Bertin Alpao, a reknown key player in adaptive optics. At a conference, I met the Bertin Alpao team again, and they offered me a position in the company in its headquarters based near Grenoble.
What was your career path at Bertin Alpao?
I joined Bertin Alpao at the end of 2017 to work on the development of new deformable mirrors. After a while, I took over the management of a multidisciplinary team responsible for the design, manufacturing, and validation of custom mirrors for our clients. I recently changed roles to focus more on the technical and scientific aspects.
Today, I work on the system architectures of our products and on performance aspects, including the development and validation of project specifications, in collaboration with our clients and technical teams. I work closely with the design offices, project managers, production, and sales teams. I particularly enjoy the diversity of interactions and topics.
Is there a project you are particularly proud of?
The project that led to the development of a large, highly stable deformable mirror for the MAVIS instrument, carried out with ESO, was a complex, long-term project with very high technological requirements. It necessitated the development of new technological building blocks and numerous validation phases. I followed this project from beginning to end (I even had two children during that time!), which makes it particularly memorable and rewarding.
Which female scientist inspires you?
Astronaut Sophie Adenot. Her career is impressive, and the fact that she is very much in the media helps to show that women have their rightful place in scientific careers, including in environments that are still predominantly male.
A message for young women who are hesitant to pursue a career in science?
I would tell them that they need to seize opportunities and not be afraid to challenge preconceived ideas. And that it’s important to surround themselves with trustworthy people who can help them move forward (women or men!).
At Bertin Alpao, and within the Bertin Technologies Goup, we remain committed to fostering diversity and supporting women who drive scientific innovation forward!
If you’re seaking for an opportunity, look at our jobs offers!