Always strive for the best material

Passionate about architecture and human constructions since always, Christelle Combescure (Class of 2007) is currently an Associate Professor in mechanics and civil engineering, seconded to the Military Academy of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan. Her research focuses on complex and new materials, specifically architectured materials, where she models instability phenomena to ensure the safety of people and infrastructure.

Christelle Combescure initially wanted to become an architect but chose scientific preparatory classes to take the entrance exam for the École des Ponts et Chaussées. Eventually, she obtained admission to ENS Paris-Saclay, where she fell in love with research in civil engineering and later in mechanics. "Bridges will always amaze me, and I can't look at cracks in concrete without wondering why they're there," she comments. During her studies, the young student developed a passion for seismic phenomena and their impact on the resistance of construction materials. "I decided to do my Master's internship at the École Polytechnique in Montreal to see their seismic table in action," she recounts. She then followed up her Master 2 internship (studying a model of reinforced concrete slab for seismic loading) with a CIFRE thesis at EDF. She defended it on September 25, 2013. "Five days later, I left for the United States to spend the first year of my post-doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, and the second year took place at the École Polytechnique in France."

Time for research 

While waiting to find the job of her dreams, Christelle Combescure detoured to SAFRAN, holding a position in research & development from 2015 to 2017. This private sector experience left her somewhat unsatisfied. "I wasn't given the time to dig deep and truly understand." For her, it is just as fundamental to have time to ask questions as it is to have the freedom to choose research topics. Her patience is soon rewarded: Christelle finds a position as an associate professor that seems tailor-made at the Gustave Eiffel University in Marne-la-Vallée, combining research in mechanics and teaching in civil engineering. "A real joy!" she exclaims.

Predicting material instability 

In 2020, Christelle Combescure had to move to Bretagne to follow her military husband. The Military Academy of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan offered her a position as an associate professor (seconded to the Ministry of Armies), where she teaches mechanics to officer cadets. Since 2023, the teacher-researcher has also taken over as the head of the Engineering Sciences department for the Army of the Land Research Center at the Academy, the CReC. Her research is also conducted at the Dupuy-de-Lôme Research Institute (IRDL) in Lorient, where she is an associate researcher. "My work applies to new materials: architectured materials. Appearing in the 2000s, they are extremely useful to many sectors because they are very light while maintaining very good mechanical properties," she explains. "But instability phenomena can lead to the ruin of these materials or create new physical properties of interest. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to predict them!"

No gender for disciplines! 

When asked about working in a predominantly male environment, she readily agrees. "I'm somewhat used to it because it's the norm in the discipline I've chosen. But for me, no discipline has a 'gender.' Mathematics are difficult for boys as well. So, if you like it, go for it! You have to dare; audacity makes all the difference!" A message that Christelle has always applied to convey to young high school girls, particularly through the "Elles bougent" association.

In general, Christelle Combescure never misses an opportunity to advise students to try the entrance exam for ENS Paris-Saclay. According to her, the method taught at ENS Paris-Saclay is unique. "The courses are directly influenced by the research news of our teachers, which makes our scientific themes immediately accessible and quickly puts us on the path of critical research methodology." Today, she is pleased to take on the role by supervising the research projects of mechanical engineering students at ENS Paris-Saclay in collaboration with Martin Poncelet. "From Bretagne to the Saclay plateau, I have many opportunities to make the journey more often!"