Chiara Ferraris

Name: Chiara Ferraris
Place of Employment: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Job Title: Physicist
Education: Physics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne Switzerland
Doctorate, Material Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne Switzerland

Dr. Ferraris joined the Inorganic Building Materials Group of the Materials and Construction Research Division in January 1994. Her main interest is on rheology of cementitious materials. She published more than 100 papers. Prior to joining NIST (May 1987 - December 1993), Dr. Ferraris was a Research Physicist at the Washington Research Center of W.R. Grace & Co. (Columbia, MD). In that position, she obtained three patents on admixtures for concrete and cement. From March 1980 to April 1987, Dr. Ferraris worked at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology-Lausanne (Switzerland) as Assistant while pursuing her Ph.D.. She carried out studies on shrinkage of cement and concrete.  Dr. Ferraris has a M.S. (1980) and a Ph.D. (1986) from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology-Lausanne (Switzerland).

What is the greatest challenge you’ve encountered during your career in STEM?
Be in a world of men. Affirming that you are as good as them. This barrier is not a large now as more women are in STEM.

What do you think is the most exciting thing about having a career in STEM?
Good job, exciting and diversified activities. The thrill of discovery.

If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is considering doing a Silver or Gold Award based on STEM or pursuing a career in STEM, what would that be?
Go for it!!  Find a mentor in STEM and do it! Persevere and you will succeed.

If you were a Girl Scout, what is your favorite Girl Scout memory?
Working with other girls.