Interview with Dr Virginia Venezia

 

In our second EFCE Early Career Interviews episode, we meet Dr Virginia Venezia, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) in Italy.

From a PhD focused on transforming organic waste into high-value materials to international research experience in Valencia and collaborations that continue today, Virginia has built an impressive early career recognised with many distinctions, including a Best PhD Thesis Award and the Eni Young Researcher Award.

We discuss taking opportunities and embracing challenges with the mindset that led Virginia to apply for one of her most significant recognitions: “Why not? Let’s try”. We also talk about mentorship, the importance of visibility and representation in STEM and why inspiring more young women to pursue careers in science and engineering continues to matter.

You can learn more about Virginia and connect with her through the following links:

LinkedIn Profile, Google Scholar, ResearchGate

_{26th June 2026}

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LW: Lukas Weidler          VZ: Dr Virginia Venezia

LW: It is always nice to start an interview with an icebreaker question. Virginia, before we talk about your academic and professional journey, which chemical compound or element best represents you and why?

VZ: I would probably choose carbon. Carbon is a relatively simple element, yet it is incredibly versatile. It can form very different structures, adapt to different environments and become the foundation of something much larger and more complex. In a way, I see myself in these features. I am a very determined person, always willing to learn and improve. Like carbon, I believe that growth comes through change, resilience and the ability to adapt without losing your identity. Carbon is also at the centre of many sustainable technologies and of the biomass-derived materials I work on. So it reflects not only my personality but also the scientific journey I have chosen.

 

LW: Your research started from chemical engineering and evolved towards nanomaterials, biomaterials and waste valorisation. Was there a specific moment or project that made you realise this was the direction you wanted to follow?

VZ: Yes, there was a specific project that shaped the direction of my research career. When I started my PhD at the Department of Chemical Materials and Production Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II, I joined an industrial project focused on the valorisation of organic waste and particular humic acids through the development of high-value materials. The idea of transforming something considered waste into something useful and innovative immediately fascinated me. What motivated me was not only the scientific challenge but also the opportunity to contribute to solutions with a real environmental and social impact.

Looking back, that was the moment when I realised that this was the research path I wanted to pursue. Over the years, my work has naturally evolved toward the development of multifunctional and sustainable materials, including hybrid nanomaterials and biomaterials designed within circular economy approaches. However, I would like to emphasise that my research is still deeply rooted in chemical engineering. Indeed, chemical engineering is not only about designing industrial plants and processes. It is also about understanding and controlling the transformation of matter across different fields from the molecular to the macroscopic level. This perspective naturally led me toward the development of materials and nanomaterials from biowaste, where the final properties of a material strongly depend on how it is synthesised and processed. As my career progressed, I became increasingly interested in developing advanced materials from renewable resources and waste streams, combining fundamental science with sustainability. In many ways, the themes that first attracted me during my PhD still guide my research today.

 

LW: You started your PhD in 2019 and have had an incredibly productive career so far, with almost 40 publications in the last six and a half years, if I count correctly, including around 15 first author publications. What is the secret behind your productivity? How do you strike your work-life balance?

VZ: It is true that I have published a lot over the last few years, but there is no secret formula behind it. It is mainly the result of hard work, consistency and genuine passion for research. Of course, there have been periods when work occupied a very large part of my life. Indeed, when I was younger, it was easier to spend long hours in the lab or studying and working on manuscripts and projects. Today, I try to manage my time efficiently and focus on my priorities so that I can maintain a healthy balance between my professional and personal life.

 

 

LW: You have already received several recognitions, including the Best PhD Thesis Award and the Eni Young Researcher Award. For early career scientists, these achievements can look distant. Did you actively pursue, or apply for these awards? How difficult was it to get them?

VZ: For most of these awards, I applied myself. In many cases, I simply searched for opportunities online and decided to put myself forward. The Eni Young Research Award is a perfect example. I clearly remember coming across the call almost by chance while browsing online. My first thought was, “Why not? Let's try.” So I applied because I strongly believed in my work. The Eni Young Research Award is also highly competitive and attracting applications from outstanding young scientists working in the fields of energy, environmental, technological application and green chemistry. So receiving it was meaningful, since it is an important recognition of both the scientific quality and the potential of my work. When I received the news that I had won, I was incredibly happy. Being invited to the Quirinale and attending the award ceremony in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, made the experience even more special. At the same time, I think it is important to say that awards are only one part of the story. Behind every success, there are also many moments when things do not go as planned. What really matters is having the determination to keep moving forward despite obstacles and setbacks.

 

LW: So you motivate people to say “Be brave of your work and apply for recognition and awards”. And a lot of people may be afraid, but you are correct. If you do something, you should be proud of it because you are doing it in a correct and good way. There is a good takeaway to be proud of your work.

In your country, Italy, a period abroad is particularly mandatory during PhD studies. And in your case, you went to the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research for a total of five months. How did you tackle this? Did you have to start cooperation yourself or did your supervisor support you in this? Could you start new methods, studies, topics during the period?

VZ: Spending some time abroad during the PhD is almost a requirement in Italy, especially in my case, because I was funded through an industrial PhD. I was lucky to have strong support from my supervisors in defining the research group that best matched my scientific interests and career goals. I spent a total of six months in Valencia at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology and the experience started during a particularly challenging period, as we were still in the middle of COVID pandemic. So moving abroad under that context was not easy. But once I overcame the initial difficulties, it turned out to be one of the most important experiences in my career. From a scientific point of view, it allowed me to develop new skills and specialise in a technique that still plays a major role in my research today, in particular electrospinning, which is a process that uses an electric field to produce ultra-fine fibers with tailored properties.

In Valencia, I worked particularly on the development of electrospun fibers produced from e-waste and biomass, such as lignin or humic acids, to create innovative materials for active and sustainable food packaging. The project was closely related to the topics I was already interested in, such as waste valorisation, sustainable materials. But it allowed me to approach them using new methods and perspectives. Perhaps the most valuable aspect is that the experience did not end when I returned to Italy. Indeed, it led to a strong and long-lasting scientific collaboration that continues today and has resulted in several publications that I am particularly proud of. Moreover, building on this experience, I now also develop bio-based fibers for the recovery of critical and precious metals from waste, as well as for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. For this reason, looking back, I see my time in Valencia not only as a training opportunity, but as a real turning point in my research career.

 

LW: You said that you still have connections with them, it is incredible what you can do in five months and how long it can stay.

VZ: Yes, it was not very easy, but I loved the job and the people that I met there. So, it is important to create a collaboration, but also a friendship with new colleagues when you go abroad.

 

 

LW: Despite your previously mentioned brief experience abroad, we noticed that you spent your entire academic career (bachelor, master, PhD and postdoc) at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. With mobility often being one of the academic holy grails, how has staying at the same university affected your career?

VZ: It was a conscious choice. Of course, academic mobility offers many advantages. Moving to a different institution allows you to experience new perspectives, build new collaborations and work in different environments. At the same time, I believe it is possible to build a meaningful scientific career while investing in the place you come from. In my case, spending my entire academic journey at the same university allowed me to grow in an environment that I knew well and where I felt comfortable. This familiarity was not a limitation. On the contrary, it provided a solid foundation that allowed me to focus on the scientific questions I wanted to address and on the type of research I wanted to develop. Knowing the environment, the people and the facilities helped me gain confidence in my abilities and work more independently, which accelerated my growth in many ways.

Nevertheless, I have tried to avoid becoming too inward looking by building national and international collaborations. I wanted to contribute to my university and my local area while continuing to engage with different scientific communities. Has it always been easy? Not necessarily. Sometimes opportunities seem more accessible elsewhere. Staying in the same institution can also limit the exposure to different scientific contexts and the ways of doing the research. However, I believe that talent, commitment and perseverance can create opportunity anywhere. For me, staying at the same institution did not mean giving up growth or intellectual mobility, it meant building my scientific identity in an environment that allowed me to express my full potential.

 

LW: Beyond research, you have also taken outreach activities, especially activities aimed to inspire students and young women in STEM. What motivates you to dedicate time to this side of academic life?

VZ: Over the years, this topic has become increasingly important to me. When I chose to study chemical engineering, I never asked myself whether it was a field for men or for women. I simply chose it because I was passionate about science and interested in what chemical engineering could offer. That is why I believe it is important to show young people and especially young women, that STEM disciplines are open to anyone with curiosity, passion and the willingness to challenge themselves.

I enjoy sharing my experience with the students because I want them to see that a career in science and engineering (STEM) is absolutely within their reach. We have made enormous progress over the years and today there are many more opportunities and female role models than in the past. However, some barriers still exist, sometimes in very subtle ways. That is why visibility is very, very important. I often tell students that talent has no gender. What sometimes makes a difference is the self-confidence and the possibility of seeing people who demonstrate that certain goals are truly achievable. And if my experience can encourage even one young woman to push her ambitions without limitations, then I consider my outreach efforts completely worthwhile.

 

 

LW: You have co-supervised many master's students, already 35, which is remarkable at this career stage. How has monitoring young students influenced the way you see your own scientific growth?

VZ: Working with the students has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I have had the opportunity to supervise many masters students, especially in chemical engineering and each of them has taught me something. When you mentor students, you learn to look at science from different perspectives. Their questions often challenge assumptions that you take for granted and push you to think more deeply about your own work. I always tell my students that a thesis is not simply the end of a university journey. Very often it is their first real professional project and also an opportunity to develop responsibility, curiosity and passion. Results are important, but I believe the way we approach the journey is even more important. The achievements we remember most are often the ones that require commitment and perseverance. Therefore, seeing students grow and gain confidence in their abilities is an incredibly rewarding experience.

 

LW: Yeah, I think if a supervisor also enjoys supervision, then the students benefit from it. It is important that we have a lot of masters students who are motivated and also want to maybe stay in a career.

Where do you see yourself next and how have your career aspirations enveloped over the years? Let's say from when you started your university life until today.

VZ: In the near future, I hope to see myself continuing to work in academia or, more broadly, in the research and development sector, continuing to do work that excites and inspires me. My career aspirations have not changed dramatically over the years. What has changed is the way I look at them. At the beginning of my career, I was always focused on the next goal, next publication, or the next achievement. But today, I have learned to appreciate the smaller successes along the way as well. Research has taught me patience, that the things that matter must take time. We live in a society that often celebrates immediate success. Research teaches the opposite. It takes time to build expertise, to understand who we are, to make mistakes, learn from them and start again. That is why my goal today is not simply to reach the next milestone, but to continue growing, learning and enjoying the journey while keeping my enthusiasm alive.

 

 

LW: Yes, I think it is always wise to not stop learning and it is important to remember it, because it is easier to say it than really to do it. In the end, if you could give one piece of advice to young students or professionals starting a career in chemical engineering or material science, what would it be?

VZ: I chose chemical engineering because it allowed me to combine chemistry or chemical reactions with the opportunity to find practical solutions to real world problems. It is also a very flexible field, offering opportunities across a wider range of industries, including energy, materials, pharmaceuticals and environmental sustainability. My advice to young people is simple, be ambitious and stay curious. Some courses will seem difficult, some exams will feel impossible and there will be moments when you question your abilities. But do not let temporary obstacles define your future. Work hard, ask questions, learn from your mistakes and never stop exploring new ideas. Most importantly, do not constantly compare your journey with someone else's. Everyone grows at their own pace. And if I could leave one final message, it would be this: Never lose sight of your dream. Keep pushing your goals even when they seem far away. Sooner or later, with the passion, commitment and perseverance, you will realise that you are much closer to achieving them than you ever thought.

 

 

You can explore the rest of the Early Career ChemEngs Interviews and Podcasts here