M.Sc., Chemistry / Water Treatment, University of Science and Technology of Lille, France (2012)

B.Sc., Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of Lille, France (2009)

Higher National Diploma in Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of Lille, France (2008)

 

E-mail: vmdufour@masdar.ac.ae
            virginiedufour180@gmail.com

 

Virginie was a Research Engineer in Dr. Arafat’s lab where she simultaneously organized the laboratory and did research work. Her main projects were focused on high density micro-algae separation/filtration and developing high efficiency membrane distillation configurations in collaboration with MIT.

Virgine completed her undergraduate studies in chemistry in 2009 and then worked in France for Degrémont Services for one year. She was working at a wastewater treatment plant, thereby gaining experience in wastewater processes. She then started her professional master’s degree in chemistry and specialized in water treatment, following up on her industrial experience. She validated her postgraduate degree by working as a water treatment engineer for the last 6 months of her degree at the same wastewater treatment plant where she had worked previously. Her main task was to commission the sludge treatment, to write operating instructions and datasheets, and to analyze operating results and establish reports and plans for the plant. After completing her MSc, Virginie worked for Veolia for more than one year as a sanitation control engineer where her main tasks were to sell to, advise and follow-up with customers on sanitation facilities; and to regulate public and private sanitation facilities to ensure that national standards were met. Virginie then arrived in the UAE where she first worked as a Research Engineer in Dr. Shadi Hassan’s group at Masdar Institute, where her main project was focused on developing new adsorbents to treat heavy metals in industrial wastewater. She also organized the laboratory and helped students in their research tasks.

While she was in France, Virginie was a volunteer firefighter for more than 10 years. Along with her firefighting work, she also did emergency first aid in basic and road rescue conditions. During her free time, Virginie like doing sports (dragon boat, Zumba, badminton, jogging, etc.), listening to music, and reading. She also loves travelling within the UAE and throughout the GCC countries.