Notre Histoire

Algerian Women in Science est un groupe initié en Avril 2020 afin de créer un réseau efficace pour de futures collaborations. Le but est de créer une communauté scientifique sûre, dédiée a la formation de futures femmes algeriennes leaders en sciences, et les aider dans l'épanouissement de leurs carrières. On est convaincues que la neutralité de la science est essentielle pour l'emancipation des femmes, qui jouent un role crucial dans la société. 

Depuis le début 

Ou en est-on maintenant ?

L'Algérie a une grande diaspora ou beaucoup de femmes algériennes se retrouvent a différentes locations et positions dans le monde. Cela fait qu'on a un large groupe de femmes qualifiées. L'idée est de créer un pont entre ces femmes pour faire diffuser l'information de manière efficace, et promouvoir la carrière des femmes en sciences exactes. 

Depuis de le début de la pandémie du coronavirus, la communauté scientifique s'est retrouvée avec la responsabilité de répondre a la crise. Cela a créé un besoin urgent de se connecter, créer un groupe de scientifiques, et former les de futures leaders pour faire face aux besoins de notre temps.

Notre équipe

Nous sommes surtout un groupe d'amies qui se sont rencontrées soit a l'université ou au cours de nos parcours professionnels. Nous avons decider de vivre l'aventure d'ALgerian Women in Science ensemble afin de partager notre savoir et experience. 

Anissa Belfetmi, Ph.D.

Founder 

I was born and raised in Algeria, where my love for nature and Science let me pursue Biology studies. After completing my Bachelor in Biochemistry, I went to France for a Master's in Cell and Molecular Biology at Pierre and Marie Curie (Sorbonne University). Then, I fulfilled a thesis to study the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid protein using biophysical techniques, under the supervision of Dr. Olivier Mauffret, at ENS Paris-Saclay. I am currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, remaining in the field of Structural Biology. The idea of ALWIS came after participating in different panels and workshops for women in Science. Through several conversations with Algerian women fellow, it was clear that Algerian women in Science lack mentoring during their career path. We were more than ready to help each other create a connected scientific community.

Sabrina Absalon, Ph.D.

Vice-President & Co-Chair of Mentoring

Born and raised in France, I grew up among a multicultural family with a French mother and a Kabyle Father. My passion for understanding how Nature works led me to pursue a Ph.D. at the University Pierre and Marie in Dr. Philippe Bastin's Lab at Pasteur Institute Paris, where I focused on studying flagellum assembly and function in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Then I moved to Boston for my first postdoctoral training in Dr. Anna Krichevsky's Lab at the Harvard Institute of Medicine to determine the contribution of microRNAs to Alzheimer's disease progression. In 2011, I went back to parasitology and joined a research group led by Dr. Jeffrey Dvorin at Boston Children's Hospital, where I studied the molecular pathogenesis of malaria infection. In October 2019, I joined the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where I am currently an Assistant professor. While women represent more than half of the human population, we are a minority in the world of science. The Algerian Women In Science can change the gender narrative in science, and I am here to inspire, promote, and mentor them so Algerian women in science can contribute to change our world.

Lydia Ait Belkacem

Chair of talent acquisition

I am a Biophysics and Biochemistry graduate from London. I have experience working in institutional, biophysics, and genetic research at multiple institutions spanning five years. I was born in Algiers and moved to the UAE quite young. I grew up in a very international environment that encouraged me to pursue science, especially as I was inspired by my Biology teacher in high school. I understood the importance of having science friends and connections who were ambitious women, and that’s how I find myself here today, ecstatic to be a part of the ALWIS team.

Sarah Maskri, Ph.D.

Chair of member services

I was born, and I grew up in Algeria. I am currently a Ph.D. fellow at the German Research Foundation, in Germany, with two stays abroad: one at the University of Oxford in the UK and one at the University of Stanford in the USA. I work in the field of computational drug design, medicinal chemistry of GPCRs, and Ion channel proteins. During the past, I worked as a research assistant at the University of New England College of Pharmacy in Portland, ME, USA, in computational drug design of new kinase inhibitors starting from green tea derivatives. I did a double MSc degree between the University of Strasbourg (France), Paris Diderot University (France), and University of Milano (Italy) in the fields of Medicinal chemistry/Artificial Intelligence/ In silico drug design. I obtained my BSc degree in Chemistry in Montpellier (France). I am a person who takes initiatives and has a great capacity for adaptation; as a fact, I am a global volunteer at the United Nations to fight for women's rights in South America. In general, I am professional with a friendly interaction style.

Nour Benbahouche, Ph.D.

Mentor

I was born, raised, and had my entire education until my Master’s degree in Algeria. Afterward, I went to France for a Ph.D., where I joined the group of Dr. Edouard Bertrand at the IGMM of Montpellier and worked on many protein complexes required for RNA maturation. After my Ph.D., I moved to the UK and joined the group of Pr. Martin Bushell at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research as a postdoctoral fellow. My research project aimed at targeting the protein LARP1 to overcome treatment resistance in cancer cells, and since that, I am pursuing my scientific career in the cancer research field. Despite their omnipresence in scientific fields, Algerian women in science remain underestimated, and there is no doubt that a more collaborative network needs to be built. Thus, by joining this fantastic group, I am ready to mentor, network, and collaborate but most importantly, to inspire and be inspired.

Sarah Dib,  CRA

Mentor

Roza Bouchal, Ph.D.

Mentor

I was born in Algeria, where I had my entire education until I obtained my Master's degree. Then I moved to France for my Ph.D. studies at Charles Gerhardt Institute of Montpellier, under the supervision of Dr. Peter Hesemann. My Ph.D. work was on the synthesis and physical chemistry of ionic liquids and silica materials (molecular synthesis, sol-gel chemistry, material synthesis using soft templating approach, ion exchange). During my first postdoctoral position, I have discovered another fascinating scientific field where I was involved in studying aqueous electrolytes for energy storage devices with Dr. Frédéric Favier and Dr. Olivier Fontaine. I am currently a researcher at the Chalmers University of Technology within Patrik Johansson's group, where my focus is on electrolyte design and characterisation for next-generation batteries such as Li-S and Na-ion batteries. My goal as a researcher is to combine material synthesis and electrochemistry to construct safer, performant, and suitable batteries. Through this amazing network, I wish to transfer the knowledge I gained during these years to young students and, at the same time, interact with other talented female scientists.

Sarah Helal

Chair of Communication

I'm from a small town in Algeria, where I lived most of my life. Growing up, my curiosity toward biology-related topics led me to pursue a Master's degree in Molecular and cell Immunology. Then, I joined an Algerian Pharmaceutical company as a research assistant, where I had the opportunity to work on exciting projects on antivirals development. After a short and non-successful Ph.D. experience abroad, I am back to my old position while still striving towards research and academia. As a Scicommer, I actively contribute to the online SciComm community by sharing educative content to inform, educate, raise awareness, and help fight misinformation. I joined ALWIS because I believe that as a community, we can build a safe, reliable, and efficient collaborative network to help Algerian women in science thrive towards a successful path.

Ouerdia Maskri, Ph.D.

Mentor

Ouassila Habi, Ph.D.

Mentor

ALWIS member

Mentor

ALWIS member

Mentor