On October 9, 2024, Kindness Isukwem, a third-year doctoral student at the Centre de Mise en Forme des Matériaux (CEMEF) at Mines Paris – PSL, was honored with the “Jeunes Talents France” award from the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” program. This prize, awarded by the L’Oréal Foundation, the French Academy of Sciences and the French National Commission for UNESCO, rewards promising young female researchers each year for the excellence of their scientific work, and their commitment to promoting science among younger generations.
Kindness Isukwem, in the third year of her thesis, stands out for her research in rheology, a complex branch of fluid physics. Her work focuses on the physical mechanisms governing the spreading of fluid droplets on different surfaces. Her approach, both experimental and numerical, aims to understand how these drops interact with various types of surfaces, whether adhesive solids, films of nitrogen vapour, or other liquids.
On this subject, she explains, “ I enjoy the challenge of solving physical problems, in my thesis I use a variety of theoretical, numerical and experimental tools, so I’m continuing to learn and improve my skills. ” This passion for multidimensional research reflects his desire to explore complex phenomena in depth, while constantly enriching his expertise.
His work has revealed astonishing shapes such as pears, Mexican hats and even capsules, offering interesting prospects for sectors as varied as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, the food industry, and the manufacture of catalysts and ceramic bearings. However, the path has not always been easy. “ A common challenge I have faced is the stereotyping of women scientists, which calls into question our intellectual abilities, “ confides Kindness. These prejudices constitute an additional obstacle for women in science, a glass ceiling that Kindness seeks to break.
This challenge, far from holding her back, reinforces her commitment to proving the value of her research and encouraging young women to take up science. She embodies this desire to change mentalities, and is actively involved in passing on her passion to the very young.
In addition to fundamental discoveries, Kindness is looking ahead to concrete applications for her work. “ An important prospect is the transition to concrete applications. In particular, I’d like to see the results of my research into the impact of viscoplastic drops in water used in medicine, “ she explains. This type of application could have major spin-offs, particularly in the medical field, where her research could contribute to innovations in treatment.
As winner of the L’Oréal-UNESCO “Jeunes Talents France” award, Kindness will benefit not only from a €15,000 research grant, but also from a training program designed to strengthen her professional development. This additional support will enable her to pursue her research, while helping to reduce persistent inequalities in the scientific world.
This award not only recognizes Kindness Isukwem’s scientific excellence, but also her commitment to promoting science among young people, demonstrating that a passion for research is a powerful lever for transmission and inspiration.
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