As part of the ‘Women in Science’ interview series, we met Camille, a research engineer at IHU Liryc.

From her native Polynesia to the laboratories of Bordeaux, she offers us a powerful testimony about expatriation, perseverance in the face of prejudice, and the importance of biomedical engineering in the medicine of tomorrow.

Camille, your journey began in Tahiti. How did science come into your life?

I was born and raised in Tahiti before arriving in France in 2020. Even as a child, I was passionate about maths and physics. For me, it was obvious: I would study science. We were a very close-knit class, a kind of ‘team’ where competition was always friendly, and we all pushed each other to do our best. Out of 33 students, 17 received honours in their Baccalaureate exams!

Initially, I wanted to be a forensic scientist because of my keen interest in the anatomical and technical aspects of the human body. So I started my first year of medical school (PACES) and did an internship with a forensic scientist in Tahiti to learn more about the profession. I loved it, but I realised that forensic medicine was only a specialisation available after six years of core training. However, I knew that my sensitivity would make it difficult for me to deal with patients’ suffering during those first years of medical school. So I switched to a maths and physics preparatory course at the University of French Polynesia, then enrolled in an engineering school in Nantes in 2020.

Moving from Tahiti to France in the midst of a health crisis must not have been easy…

Indeed, I arrived right in the middle of Covid. I found myself alone in my flat, far from my family, with a 12-hour time difference and unable to meet anyone.

But the most surprising thing is the ‘invisible’ culture clashes. For example, formal address does not exist in Tahiti. I had to learn to stop addressing my teachers informally so as not to appear rude.

There is also the issue of location: in Tahiti, we don’t really have addresses or street numbers, we use post office boxes. This makes renting accommodation in France a real headache. It even took me two years to get my health insurance card because I was asked for a residence permit even though I’m French. These administrative barriers are exhausting when you’re just trying to succeed in your studies.

Have you encountered any specific difficulties as a woman in the engineering field?

Yes, and we need to talk about it. At engineering school, there were only four girls for every 40 boys. I had to put up with difficult and inappropriate comments from some teachers who claimed that women were ‘unprofitable’ because of future maternity leave.

What are you working on today at Liryc?

I am working on improving predictions of sudden death linked to cardiac arrhythmia. This is a crucial issue because currently, defibrillators are implanted based on statistical criteria (ejection fraction1 of 35%), but many patients with 36% or 37% are also at risk and are not protected.

I am responsible for an ECG machine with a higher electrode density. I manage the software, maintenance and ergonomic testing. We are seeking to create a non-invasive tool that is as accurate as an operating theatre procedure, but much simpler to use.

How do you envisage the rest of your career?

Ultimately, my dream is to return to Tahiti. Life there is very expensive and high-tech jobs are rare, but there are exciting opportunities in research, provided you focus on areas specific to the territory. I am thinking in particular of marine ecology or the study of widespread diseases in the territory, such as diabetes or tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. We’ll see what the future holds.

What message would you give to young women who wish to go to another country to continue their studies?

Don’t hesitate. Leaving home means growing up. Life isn’t a straight path. I wanted to be a doctor, but I’m an engineer, and I have no regrets. There will be ups and downs, that’s for sure, but those are the moments that teach us the most.

1. When we talk about ejection fraction, we are mainly referring to LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), which corresponds to the percentage of blood that the left ventricle expels with each beat. It is an important indicator of heart performance.
   
   When LVEF falls below 30 to 40%, it means that the heart is pumping less efficiently and, to compensate for this drop in performance, the heart has to work harder, which tires it and damages the heart muscle.
   However, an LVEF of around 35% is not sufficient on its own to predict the risk of sudden death, which is the biggest problem.
   In fact:
   – Some people with an LVEF< 35% have been fitted with a defibrillator and never end up needing it;
   – Conversely, people with an LVEF above 35% can still have a heart attack.
   
   In other words, LVEF is an important indicator of heart function, but it cannot, on its own, accurately predict serious risks. ↩︎