Vocation, career path, inspiration, and experience of our STEAM women

At Zabala Innovation, we firmly believe in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in the STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). This year, we have decided to shine a spotlight on the women in our Paris and Bordeaux offices—those with the highest percentage of STEAM women—who are making a lasting impact in these fields. Through three key questions, we have explored their career paths, sources of inspiration, and how they feel today.

The stories of these women are a testament to their dedication and talent. By sharing their experiences, we hope to inspire future generations and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment in the world of science and technology. Join us on this journey to get to know the women who are redefining the future from the heart of France.

What inspired you to pursue a career in science and what has been your path to get here?

Cristina Catalina

My journey as an environmental engineer began with inspiration deeply rooted in my family’s close connection to nature (as we lived in the country side). Growing up, I was surrounded by an appreciation for the environment—long hikes, high interest about the complex interactions with the ecosystems, flora and fauna species and a shared understanding of how nature sustains us. These experiences shaped my perspective and planted the seed for my passion for environmental science.

On the other hand I have to admit that my initial aspirations were not in engineering but in medicine. Coming from a family with a tradition in healthcare, I envisioned following that path to help others as a doctor. However, as I grew, I realized my calling was more related with the environment, renewable energies, new —a pursuit that ultimately also benefits people. This shift allowed me to combine my curiosity for science with a purpose that felt deeply personal and meaningful: safeguarding the world we live in for future generations.

Parisa Louise Darzi

From a young age, I’ve always been captivated by the way things work — whether it was how plants grew or how technology could solve real-world problems. My interest in science started with a natural curiosity, sparked by a few key figures in my life who encouraged me to ask questions and seek answers. I was fortunate to be surrounded by teachers and mentors who recognized my potential and pushed me to pursue my interests in a structured way.

Over the years, this curiosity evolved into a deep passion for innovation and problem-solving, leading me to explore the fascinating world of environmental science. My path hasn’t been linear, but every step has been a valuable learning experience that has brought me closer to my goal of making a meaningful contribution.

Apolline Simon

I always loved creating through painting, drawing, cooking, doing DIYs and even programming. I am and always have been a very curious person. I like understanding how things work at a deep level. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family were sharing interests and debating ideas were very important. Curiosity is probably the main reason I chose sciences at universities, first with mathematics and then with physics and chemistry. I find fascinating how much technologies can improve people knowledge and life.

What I preferred at universities was to be able to take the time to understand a scientific subject with precision and this is why I chose to first continue with research. I did a multidisciplinary PhD to combine the experimental and technical focus on the fundamental science with the creativity and the possibility to collaborate with various scientists of various fields.

Blanca Palomo

Since childhood, I have always been interested in science, particularly chemistry. My curiosity was sparked by a teacher whose enthusiasm made the subject engaging and encouraged me to explore it further. As I continued my studies, my appreciation for problem-solving and discovery grew, leading me to deepen my knowledge through education and hands-on experiences. Today, I hope to contribute to the scientific field and, in turn, inspire others, just as my teacher once inspired me.

Maëlla Bostvironnois

I’ve always loved science from a very early age.   My parents always encouraged me to do what I loved as long as I succeeded. Thus, I naturally turned to studying science, starting with a preparatory class. I soon realised that the field that interested me most and in which I had the most aptitude was chemistry. That’s the reason I studied to become a chemical engineer.

What advice would you give to other young women interested in science or technology?

Cristina Catalina

To every young woman out there who dreams of a future in science or technology, I want you to know this: we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to. Our contributions are shaping the world today and will continue to do so tomorrow.

Don’t let stereotypes or doubts hold you back. Believe in your ability to lead, innovate, and inspire. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, seek out mentors, and never underestimate the power of your voice. Together, we are not just breaking barriers—we are becoming the role models we once looked up to.

Parisa Louise Darzi

I would say, trust your instincts and never let self-doubt hold you back. Science and technology can sometimes feel like male-dominated fields, but there’s an immense opportunity to make a real impact. Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and be curious. Your unique perspective is valuable, and it’s important to find mentors who can guide you and help you navigate challenges. There’s no one “right” path, so take the time to explore different fields, and know that your passion will guide you to where you’re meant to be. Keep pushing forward and remember that the world needs the innovation and insights that only you can bring.

Apolline Simon

I would tell any young women interested in science or technology to never doubt they self-worth. It’s true that these fields are usually man-dominated but it does not significate that they can’t be part of them. To my mind, it means the opposite: variety and diversity are key because they give rise to new ideas and new perceptions. If what you are curious about, what you want to study and work for is linked to sciences and technologies, you should 100% pursue in this path. The goal is to find the fields, the universities or schools that best match your way of thinking and working and you will for sure create an amazing career in STEAM.

Blanca Palomo

Believe in yourself, stay curious, and don’t let stereotypes hold you back—women have their place in every field. Surround yourself with supportive mentors, don’t be afraid to take on challenges and keep learning. Your ideas matter!

Maëlla Bostvironnois

If young women like science and want to understand how the world around them and technology work, they should do it and be free to get involved.

What do you think diversity (in gender, experiences, etc.) brings to the scientific field and how can we promote it further?

Cristina Catalina

Diversity is what drives innovation. When people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together, they bring fresh ways of thinking and find solutions that no one could come up with alone. In science, this leads to big discoveries, more inclusive technologies, and better results for everyone. To make diversity a reality, we need to create spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. It starts with education—giving equal opportunities, better representation, and strong mentorship to those who need it most. We can shape a future built on collaboration, creativity, and fairness.

Parisa Louise Darzi

Diversity in the scientific field brings a richness of perspectives that is essential for driving true innovation. When we have people from different backgrounds, genders, and experiences, we bring new ideas and approaches to problem-solving that can lead to breakthroughs that we may never have considered otherwise. Inclusion encourages collaboration, fosters creativity, and enables us to develop solutions that are more holistic and effective. To promote diversity further, we need to continue creating environments that are welcoming and supportive. This can be achieved by offering more mentorship opportunities, addressing unconscious biases, and creating policies that support work-life balance, especially for women and underrepresented groups. Encouraging young people from diverse backgrounds to explore science and technology will ultimately lead to more inclusive, groundbreaking advancements.

Apolline Simon

Diversity in science, as in any other field, is fundamental. People with different ways of thinking, backgrounds, interests, strengths, ways of seeing and learning bring different solutions to the same challenges, and that is what is really interesting.

Debating ideas, testing, experimenting and questioning are at the heart of science, and the more diverse the people who contribute to it, the richer it becomes.

Representation is very important, so it is essential to make visible the different actors involved in scientific projects. To encourage this, it is key to invite more women from various fields to universities and secondary schools, but especially to primary schools. It is essential that all children and students feel legitimate to pursue the education and career of their choice, based on their interests and life goals, and not on gender biases.

Blanca Palomo

Since I was little, I’ve always been interested by the world around me. My curiosity, interest in chemistry and desire to learn led me to study chemical engineering. But my thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there, so I went on to do a PhD in physics and materials chemistry.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many innovation projects. Today, as an innovation consultant, I continue to learn and take on new challenges. My journey shows that with curiosity and perseverance, anything is possible. To all those who dream of science and innovation: dare, explore, and never stop learning.

Maëlla Bostvironnois

We can get the impression that, as women, we have to be even better than the others to justify our place in the field. This can put pressure on us, but the growing presence of women in scientific fields is helping to combat this feeling and increase the acceptance of women in these areas. Women have just as much to contribute to science as men. As in any field, I think we’re stronger together, and that a mixed gender means greater success and a good atmosphere.