Women in Engineering 2023

Delia M. Curiel Castellar - Sales Market Development Engineer Specialist, Cartagena Regional HQ, Lhoist Latin America

What made you want to pursue a career in Engineering?

My interest in mathematics and physics comes from being able to continue in my dad's footsteps and contribution to this career in the development of society.

What is your educational background, and your field of specialization?

I have a master's in civil engineering with a focus on roads and transportation and currently, I'm studying for a master's in business administration. 

How has Lhoist supported your career?

Lhoist has given me the tools for my professional development and trained me as an expert in the application of lime for soil stabilization.

Can you share something about a project you did at Lhoist?

I led with the LCOL Innovation Committee a project on an innovation context supported by the local Chamber of Commerce and financed by the Colombian Ministry of Science and has to do with the development of a technique for deep stabilization of the soil with lime slurry pressure injections to repair roads.

What advice would you give someone who would like to get into engineering or is considering completing an engineering qualification?

Civil engineering is a fantastic career and is gratifying the contribution that you can make to society. In general, engineering is part of the STEM careers considered as the careers of the future that won’t be able to be replaced easily in the early future by automation. 

Maureen Berranger - R&D Engineer Intern Non-Ferrous, Lhoist Group Innovation Center

What made you want to pursue a career in Engineering?

The managerial aspect, being part of a team. The fact that it is possible to interact with all kinds of people and environments.

What is your educational background? And your field of specialization?

I am currently studying chemistry in a chemical engineering school in Paris and before that, I did a two-year diploma specialising in chemistry in Rennes and a one-year university-level preparation in Maths, Physics and Chemistry in Valenciennes. And my speciality is chemistry, more precisely industrial processes.

How has Lhoist supported your career?

Lhoist is a huge step in my career. This company allows me to work in a different environment than in France, to work with people that come from all around the world.

Can you share something about a project you did at Lhoist?

I am currently working in the non-ferrous field using different types of stone to sequester carbon dioxide.

Have there been challenges on your road to becoming an engineer which you have faced due to being a woman? (How) have you overcome these?

As an engineering student who studies in a school where more than half are women, I currently do not have any challenges regarding the fact that I am a woman. Every student has a chance to be who they want to be and what they want to do.

What advice would you give someone who would like to get into engineering or is considering completing an engineering qualification?

I would suggest always believing in yourself even if you can see the result of your efforts in the future. You will be proud of what you have achieved and how far you have come.