IAEA Showcases Diverse Career Paths in STEM Through Employee Profiles

Post-university, Sanz Alvarez expanded her academic horizons by earning a master’s degree in analytical chemistry in Spain and Norway.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) consistently highlights the diverse career paths that contribute to its mission of promoting "Atoms for Peace and Development." This effort includes a special focus on inspiring and encouraging individuals, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. A series of employee profiles, which spotlight women working at the IAEA, serves to illustrate the varied opportunities and experiences within the agency.

One such profile features Inés Sanz Alvarez, a scientist originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, who is now making significant contributions in the field of marine science at the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco. Initially trained in pharmaceutical chemistry, Sanz Alvarez has pivoted to studying blue carbon — the carbon sequestered by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems, which plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation.

Sanz Alvarez's journey into science was not predetermined. As a child, the daughter of a lawyer and an administrator, she was not immediately exposed to scientific disciplines. However, her interest in science sparked during high school through chemistry and biology classes. She was particularly drawn to the hands-on aspects of chemistry and the intricate details of how biological systems function. This dual interest led her to pursue a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry at the Universidad de la República in Uruguay, where she also delved into nuclear science.

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Sanz Alvarez was influenced by pioneering women in science, including her radiochemistry professor Estrella Campos, a notable figure in Uruguayan radiochemistry. These role models, along with her mentors, played a pivotal role in her development and her choice to remain in the field of nuclear science despite its challenges for women.

Post-university, Sanz Alvarez expanded her academic horizons by earning a master’s degree in analytical chemistry in Spain and Norway. Her career has spanned several countries and sectors, including a stint in the pharmaceutical science department at the University of Milan before joining the IAEA in 2022. At the IAEA, she has ventured into environmental chemistry, using nuclear techniques to study sediment in coastal ecosystems, which are crucial for understanding carbon sequestration processes.

Sanz Alvarez values the diverse working environment at the IAEA, where she collaborates with colleagues from various cultural and academic backgrounds. This diversity enriches her work and motivates her ongoing commitment to science, where she hopes to contribute incrementally to broader scientific advancements.

The IAEA is dedicated to fostering gender equality within its ranks and through its programs. Initiatives like the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and the Lise Meitner Programme are designed to support and advance the careers of women in the nuclear field, ensuring they have impactful opportunities similar to those that have shaped Sanz Alvarez’s career. These efforts underscore the IAEA's commitment not only to gender equality but also to the essential inclusion of diverse perspectives in advancing nuclear science for peace and development.