Science Portrait - Alessandra Serva

• What is your professional background?

I studied in Italy at the University of Roma La Sapienza where I did my master and my PhD. After the thesis I came to France for a post-doc of 3 and a half years in the PHENIX lab in the group of Mathieu Salanne. After this post-doc I was hired as an ATER (Attaché Temporaire d'Enseignement et de Recherche) until August of this year.

• What does your new position as a research officer represent?

This new position represents a great accomplishment in life, it is the possibility to have a permanent position in the academy and therefore to continue the research.

• Why in France and not in Italy?

It is more difficult in Italy to continue in the academy compared to France. Moreover, once I arrived in France I found a collective and comfortable work climate, which made me stay in this country.

• What is your main research topic today?

During my thesis and my post-doc I used molecular dynamics to understand and study systems at the molecular level, while keeping a continuous exchange with the experimenters. During my thesis I applied this method to study liquids (e.g. ionic liquids or aqueous systems). During my post-doc I focused on electrochemical interfaces, and in particular on the characterization of innovative electrolytes for catalysis or for energy storage applications, such as supercapacitors.

With my new position, my research topic will evolve. Nevertheless, I will still work on electrolytes and on the development of methods for applications in the field of energy storage.

• What are your future projects?

As a research fellow at the CNRS my main occupation will be research in the field of energy storage and renewable energy. However, I would also like to dedicate some of my time to teaching.