Dr. Margarita Charalambous: A small contribution towards a strong environmental impact

Margarita studied Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens. Then, she followed her fascination for environmental sustainability and completed her PhD in Sustainable Processes at ETH Zurich. Recently, she moved from academia to industry into a new role as Project Manager at ecoinvent. Having met Margarita back in 2015 and stayed in touch through our years of professional development, it gives me great pleasure to harness her thoughts for our Interview Series on women who excel in their STEM field.

Could you briefly describe your main research interests? How did a typical day in your PhD look like?

My research interests lie at the intersection of process engineering, optimization, and sustainability, with a focus on supporting the transition to low-carbon energy systems. During my PhD, I worked on decarbonizing the transport sector by investigating alternative production pathways for low-carbon energy carriers. My days were never boring; they were mostly computational, building on experimental research from other teams to model and evaluate new technologies. I spent time reading scientific papers, debugging models in Python and Aspen, and assessing different production pathways from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives. A big part of my days during the PhD also involved analyzing data, preparing conference papers, and teaching or supervising students.

Chemical engineering offers many possible career paths. What first sparked your interest in environmental science and sustainability? Was there a particular moment or person that helped shape this direction?

I’ve always been conscious of the impact my actions have on the environment, so sustainability naturally interested me. During my studies, I realized that efficiency isn’t just about saving money. Minimizing energy and water use can also make a real difference for the planet. In the course of my Master’s, I learned how technical solutions can contribute to sustainability in tangible ways. Before starting my PhD, I attended talks by leading experts, including Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström, a prominent figure in climate science and sustainability. Hearing him explain our planet’s limitations and the urgency of global environmental challenges was eye-opening. It made me want to be part of a community that translates science into practical solutions for a greener society. Ultimately, it was my PhD supervisor’s focus on understanding systems interactions, from the molecular to the global level, that inspired me to pursue a PhD and dedicate my work to supporting the transition toward a more sustainable future.

Alongside your PhD research, you chose to contribute to the public sphere by serving as a Member of the House of Youth Representatives in Cyprus, specifically on the Environmental Committee. What motivated you to get involved, and what were some highlights or key takeaways from this experience?

I was curious about how the political scene approaches environmental issues, which motivated me to get involved with the House of Youth Representatives in Cyprus (HoYR), serving on the Environmental Committee. I wanted to see firsthand whether youth voices are truly heard and how innovative ideas can be turned into concrete policies. The experience was both challenging and extremely valuable. I learned that while young people do have ideas and a voice, it’s not always easy for them to be fully heard. Navigating the steps needed for proposals to be implemented, understanding the main bottlenecks, and seeing the incentives that drive decision-making gave me a much deeper appreciation of the complexity of policymaking. One highlight was participating in the European Youth Event, where I could exchange ideas with peers and see how youth initiatives can influence discussions on the national and international level.

You have recently transitioned from academia to industry. Which technical and transferable skills did you develop during your PhD that you see as key assets moving forward?

This transition has made me appreciate just how much a PhD equips you with both technical and transferable skills. Two of the core skills I developed are persistence and problem-solving. Years of tackling research questions teach you to approach challenges from every angle, navigate uncertainty, and create new knowledge even when answers aren’t guaranteed. A PhD also gives you the ability to see your field from multiple perspectives. You gain deep technical expertise, and collaborating across disciplines teaches you how to communicate complex ideas clearly to audiences with different backgrounds. On top of that, you learn to pick up new knowledge quickly, adapt, and juggle multiple tasks. These skills were invaluable during interviews and are exactly what I see as central to thriving in industry: the confidence to tackle unfamiliar challenges and keep learning along the way.

As your career progresses, what is your perspective on work–life balance? Do you think our generation still struggles with it, and how do you personally manage and prioritize your daily life?

Work–life balance is something I struggled with during my PhD. I often found it hard to stop working even late at night, especially when ideas struck or I had a moment of creative focus. In research, your work is part of your life. No one else is going to analyze the data, code your models, or prepare your presentations. This can be stressful, but most of the time it’s the kind of creative stress that drives discovery.

As my career progresses, I’ve realized that maintaining balance is essential. Personally, I need time to pursue hobbies and other interests to stay energized and motivated. I try to stick to standard working hours and fill my schedule with activities that allow me to fully disconnect from work. I also see that our generation often struggles with balance, though newer professionals increasingly value downtime and have found ways to switch off more easily.

Looking back, what achievement are you most proud of so far, and what aspirations or goals do you have for the next stage of your career?

There have been many achievements that have shaped my journey, and I try to celebrate wins both big and small. I am particularly proud of sustaining the hard work of my PhD and pushing through all the challenges. It has been one of the biggest marathons of my life. I’m also proud of some tangible outputs from my research. For example, I developed a tool that helps environmental practitioners integrate emerging technologies of their interest within the upstream supply chain of what is called in life cycle assessment the “Technosphere”. This allows them to explore how alternative pathways perform in terms of environmental impact across the life cycle. On the scientific side, I contributed to conclusions about which production pathways are both environmentally and economically viable, while also showing that the transport sector alone already exceeds the planet’s safe operating limits and highlighting the importance of considering future emissions when planning sustainable energy systems.

Looking forward, I aim to continue approaching my work with enthusiasm and motivation, providing results that can be applied globally, and contributing to a sustainable transition wherever I can.

Rejection, failure, and competition are common across STEM fields. How do you stay motivated in the face of challenges, and what advice would you give to younger women who are just beginning their journey in STEM?

I’ve learned that these experiences aren’t roadblocks but opportunities for growth. Sometimes it feels like the system isn’t fair, but in the end, you find ways to reflect your worth and demonstrate your skills. I always try to remember why I started. For me, it was curiosity, passion for my work, and a drive to make an impact. Even in the face of rejection or failure, I’ve realized I’m still on the right track.

My advice to younger women is to embrace failure and competition as learning experiences, not as measures of your value. Whenever you feel challenged by these obstacles, it’s important to take a step back, reflect on your worth in that moment, recognize your achievements, and consider what you still want to accomplish in the future. Build a strong support network, ask questions, and remember that your voice and perspective are valuable. Most importantly, trust yourself and your abilities because the field needs diverse perspectives, and your contribution matters.

Connect with Margarita through her LinkedIn page!