CMatP Profile: Professor Gwénaëlle Proust

Gwénaëlle Proust is a Professor of Materials Engineering at the University of Sydney. She started there in 2008 as a joint lecturer in the School of Civil Engineering and the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis. Gwénaëlle studied in France and the USA and worked as a post-doctoral research associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, USA. Her research focuses on understanding and modelling the relationships between manufacturing, microstructure and properties of materials.

Where do you work and describe your job

I work at the University of Sydney where I share my time between the School of Civil Engineering, where I am a Professor, and the Sydney Manufacturing Hub for which I am the Academic Director. I have different responsibilities and duties with these two roles. I coordinate and teach a Unit of Study on Materials for the first-year students in our Bachelor of Engineering program, and I supervise honours and High Degree Research students on different research projects, some of which are in collaboration with industry. I also oversee a Core Research Facility specialising in Additive Manufacturing, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub. This entails supervising technical and administrative staff, liaising with different offices at the university to ensure the good running of the lab, networking with industry to promote additive manufacturing as a new solution to be included in their production lines, facilitating academic research projects, and carrying out my own research on material and technology development in this new and exciting field of additive manufacturing. What I like the most about my job is that each day is different.

What inspired you to choose a career in materials science and engineering?

When I started to look for an engineering program for my undergraduate studies, I was originally thinking of studying chemical engineering as I had enjoyed chemistry classes in high school, especially organic chemistry. Then I saw an engineering school that was offering materials science and engineering, as well as some chemistry classes (like polymer chemistry, corrosion, adhesion and so

on). The university also offered some manufacturing classes which, for me, seemed to be more applied than what was offered at the other chemical engineering programs I had looked at. I decided to apply to that materials science and engineering school and was accepted in their program. I enjoyed the variety of subjects that were offered. There were some very interesting hands-on laboratories that developed my passion for working in a laboratory. My passion for research developed while I was studying for my Masters of Engineering in the USA. Originally, I move to the USA to gain some international experience and improve my English. I was thinking of staying there for two years maximum. Eventually this turned into an eight-year long trip during which I obtained my PhD and worked at—in my opinion— one of the most iconic research places, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Who or what has influenced you most professionally?

That is a difficult question to answer. I have had the chance to work with many great researchers since I started my research career. I had two fantastic supervisors for my PhD, Professor Surya Kalidindi and Professor Roger Doherty. Their ethics, dedication and innovative minds were quite an inspiration for me. They were also really supportive during my studies and provided me with great opportunities to pursue my career in research.

I was also very lucky to work along great minds in Los Alamos. I especially want to mention Professor Irene Beyerlein with whom I collaborated. At that time there were not many women in our research group so being able to see how successful and brilliant she was gave me quite a lot of hope for my career.

Which has been the most challenging job or project you’ve worked on to date and why?

I think the new role I have as the Academic Director of the Sydney Manufacturing Hub has been my biggest challenge so far. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and to take more risks in my career. I had to start interacting with different interlocutors than the traditional academic crew I was used to. I had to take on new responsibilities and to become more engage with other aspects of the university life. It has been so rewarding to work in the Sydney Manufacturing Hub—I have no regrets taking on the challenge.

What does being a CMatP mean to you?

Being a CMatP means being part of a group of people with common interests and goals. It is also important as a recognition of the work I have done to reach my present role at the University of Sydney.

What gives you the most satisfaction at work?

I enjoy working with my team at the Sydney Manufacturing Hub and my colleagues in Civil Engineering. I have managed to build a very supportive and stimulating network at the university such that I can thrive in my work.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

I think that would be the one I received from one of my mentors at the university who told me not to wait for opportunities to come to me, or for someone to tap on my shoulder, but to make my own opportunities and be more assertive. I think that’s advice that everyone should follow. It has been quite rewarding for me to put it into practice.

What are you optimistic about?

There are many open research questions in the field of additive manufacturing. The Australian Government has made advanced manufacturing one of its priorities, so research support is available to progress in this field. I think materials scientists and engineers are well positioned to advance manufacturing in Australia and many opportunities exist for us to thrive.

What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements?

I would have to say that my personal and professional journeys have been quite successful thus far. I have lived on three different continents, made friends from all over the world and have a great job. Can’t complain!

What are the top three things on your “bucket list”?

Because I haven’t been able to travel as much in the last two years as I would have liked to, my bucket list at the moment is made of places I want to visit. The three firsts on my list are: Scotland, Peru and Iceland. Hopefully I can start on that next year.