Chiara Damante
Quality Assurance
I was born in Catania in 1980. I lived in Gela (Sicily) until I was 18 years old, where I attended primary and secondary school. Then, I moved to Catania to study Chemistry at the University. This was a very nice period of my life. I got the master degree in 2004 and then the PhD in Chemistry, in the 2008. In 2009, I started to work in a factory of production of rocksalt, in Palermo, first as laboratory analyst for quality control, and then as quality assurance and manager of certification systems. I still work in the same factory.
Tell us about your career path.
Why did you choose a STEM profession?
Was your interest in STEM encouraged?

When I attended the school, I liked to study different subjects, as literature, math, latin, but scientific subjects were simpler for me. I like that scientific subjects are based on the achievement of results through reasoning and experimentation. In particular, I focused on Chemistry, because I got involved in the reaction mechanisms.

My interest was not encouraged. It was just my choice.

What was your university experience?

It was a good experience

What was your career path?
Where do you work? How is the working environment at your work place?

After the PhD, I started to work in a factory of production of rocksalt, where I still work. At first it was hard to be accepted into an almost exclusively male working environment. But over the years some things have changed and now there is more collaboration with my colleagues

What are your plans and aspirations for the future?

I would like to improve my skills in process control systems

What do you like to do outside of work? What are your passions and hobbies?

I like trekking and reading. I like to spend my free time in the nature, I love equally the sea and the mountain

What will you advise to other young girls and women who plan to pursue a STEM career?

My advice is just to study a lot at the University. The foundations of our training are essential to develop and evolve our skills