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“One of my best memories as a researcher remains the completion of my thesis at the Université de Lille, after dedicating three years to research in the pharmaceutical industry. During my third year, I finally started to obtain encouraging results. I wanted to develop a new means of synthesis for a pharmaceutical molecule, by using a catalyst to make this synthesis much cleaner.
This approach uses catalysts – generally metallic ones – which enable or accelerate a reaction. The objective is to have an active and selective catalyst by avoiding having numerous by-products in within a reaction, therefore only obtaining the desired product. During a post-doctoral internship at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, I then worked on the synthesis of natural molecules.

At the moment my research is orientated towards the development of a better-considered form of chemistry through the use of nanocatalysts in water. This catalytic species are aggregates of very small metallic atoms – between one and ten nanometres. The goal is to develop and characterise catalysts which are active, selective, but also recyclable, contributing to a form of chemistry that is more respectful of the environment. This is a job requiring pugnacity; it is important to be persevering – we do not always find what we are looking for. As a teacher and researcher in the nanocatalyst laboratory of the Rennes École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie, my job is varied and highly rewarding. I am in permanent contact with students, doctoral students, researchers and administrative personnel. Currently, in addition to my pedagogical responsibilities, I look after the quality initiative within the school.”

Audrey Denicourt
Teacher and Researcher, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie, Rennes

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