The chemical engineer, now co-founder and president of Evio and mother of two children, received me in her laboratory. Meeting in five axes.

The spark for science

“Science, physics and chemistry were my favourite subjects at school. I was passionate about life sciences, nature, but even more so on a molecular, microscopic scale. I was drawn to molecules that could be useful to us, such as the synthesis of medicines. At home, my parents always made me aware of protecting the planet. My grandfather was also an inventor. He created a process for drying figs on an industrial scale. Maybe he influenced me too?”

The school career

“In Algeria, I did a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. Then, in France, I did a master’s degree in food biotechnology. Little by little, it was the interactions between food and its packaging that intrigued me. Chemical molecules from the packaging sometimes end up in the food and are ingested by the consumer… When I came here, I knew that I wanted to do a doctorate on this subject and I seized the opportunity at Polytechnique.”

"Right now, we pollute a lot to produce packaging. We're not saying that we're going to solve the problem of pollution, food waste or world hunger. But it starts with small actions and with this technology, we're trying to do our bit." – Mounia Arkoun

The invention

“Nury Ardila, my partner, was one of the best encounters during my doctorate. We had similar projects and a common goal. We created packaging based on chitosan (the fiber extracted from crustacean shells). It is biodegradable, safe and antibacterial and extends the shelf life of food. It would have been a shame if this technology never left the laboratory. Why not commercialize it?, we asked ourselves. The surprise was to see that through its Technopreneur program, Polytechnique offered all the support and tools necessary to realize our business project.

The patent application has been filed. We have a partner in the food industry and another in packaging manufacturing. We are completing the development phase and are aiming for the end of 2020 to start pre-sales."

The passion

“I love research. It’s what advances science and knowledge. I like going in a direction, looking for a solution and coming up with something that we didn’t expect at all. A solution that addresses a real problem in industry or among consumers.

I like what is useful, practical and concrete. I have worked with researchers who were developing technologies that would help people in wheelchairs. Chemical engineering can serve and improve so many things in society."

Come on, girls!

"What I would say to young girls who are hesitant to go into science is that no matter what career you choose, it's worth getting a degree to gain credibility and master your field better than anyone else. There will be challenges, but there are challenges everywhere."

IN FIGURES

•12.8% of practicing engineers in Canada are women

•20% of students enrolled in engineering study programs are women

Source: Engineers Canada, according to the 2016 report