Fanny Grimaud, 2024-2025 Women in Science Scholarship Beneficiary

A Scientific Career Built Step by Step

After graduating high school with a diploma in the scientific option, Fanny started studying for an undergraduate degree at Sorbonne University with a major in biology, though she still was not sure what she wanted her future to look like. In her second year, she learned about the French Écoles normales supérieures. “I was told it was very hard to get in, but I decided to try anyway.”

Fanny describes her academic career as ever-changing, evolving as she discovered new opportunities. She was always fascinated by biology, especially medicine and complex cellular processes. However, she did not know what research really was. In her first year, during an internship at the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES in French), where she worked on microbiology, she discovered the world of lab research. “I was studying a bacteria named Clostridium perfrigens, which is present in foodborne illness outbreaks. I realized this is what I wanted to do: exploring, understanding and sharing new knowledge on pathogenic bacteria around us.”

Fanny is currently in her second year in the ENS Paris-Saclay’s biology department, and wishes to become a researcher in microbiology, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance, a major public health issue.

From Curiosity to Calling

Fanny describes her academic career as ever-changing, evolving as she discovered new opportunities. She was always fascinated by biology, especially medicine and complex cellular processes. However, she did not know what research really was. In her first year, during an internship at the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES in French), where she worked on microbiology, she discovered the world of lab research. “I was studying a bacteria named Clostridium perfrigens, which is present in foodborne illness outbreaks. I realized this is what I wanted to do: exploring, understanding and sharing new knowledge on pathogenic bacteria around us.”

Fanny is currently in her second year in the ENS Paris-Saclay’s biology department, and wishes to become a researcher in microbiology, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance, a major public health issue.

Challenges for a Woman in Science

Before being accepted at the ENS, Fanny never felt that her status as a woman was a challenge. “I was majoring in biology, where there are many women, so that was not really an issue.”

But upon arriving at the ENS Paris-Saclay, she was struck by the comparatively low proportion of women in her field. She started being a lot more curious about women’s tendency to self-censorship in challenging scientific fields. She saw parallels to her own experience: “I was told university was a good choice because I would have more time to think about what I wanted to do.” These well-meaning comments reflect unconscious biases about excelling in science, and the place of women in challenging careers.

Commitment to Transmission

Fanny always wanted to share her passion for science. In her first year of university, she chaperoned scientific workshops for children. “Many of them were curious, but very few actually pictured themselves working in science. It is rewarding to see that some of them wanted to pursue scientific careers after taking part in these workshops.”

She also took part in the School’s Fête de la Science, where she had the opportunity to talk with a wide array of attendants. She will soon be visiting a middle school for similar purposes. To her, all these actions are crucial to make a change.

Impact of the Scholarship

The “Women in Science” scholarship was a veritable launching pad for Fanny. She was able to buy a more powerful computer, which was very important for her studies and her projects. This scholarship also allowed her to think ahead and to prepare herself for her two-month internship at Imperial College London.

Aside from this material support, the scholarship was also psychologically impactful.

As a student, especially as a female student, you experience a lot of self-doubt. Receiving such a support is a kind of recognition, it reinforces self-confidence and helps you persevere.

A Message to Young Girls: Dare and Try!

 

“You must not censor yourself. Daring to try is essential. If you don’t try, you’ll never know if you were able to do it, you risk missing incredible opportunities and knowledge. Fear must not be a barrier to discovering your calling, so you must keep going and pursue studies that call to you, without hesitation!”

Fanny is inspired by her grandmother, whose passion was chemistry but who censored herself to allow her siblings to afford studies. “My grandmother is very proud of me and my studies; I was brave enough to believe in myself!”

A Message for Sponsors: Bet on the Future

“Research is the future. It needs as many talented people as possible. Encouraging women to pursue science means giving them an opportunity to try, because they often don’t dare to. My gratitude goes to the sponsors who make it possible.”