Ask Women – on Zero Waste
Change the narrative with the women experts from the European databases of the ENWE network.
Dear reader,
Greetings!
And welcome to our February issue of Ask Women. This is a monthly newsletter by the European Network for Women Excellence (ENWE) in collaboration with the women experts’ databases in our network, which include 100esperte, AcademiaNet, Agenda d’Expertes, Expertalia, and Les Expertes.
Each edition is themed around a significant event in the following month, to give our subscribers more time to plan and deliver in-depth features and special reports.
This Edition’s Theme:
International Day of Zero Waste
This February issue is connected to International Day of Zero Waste, on March 30.
This day underscores the global commitment to sustainable consumption, production, and circular economy practices essential for addressing the pressing environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Achieving zero waste involves designing durable products, reducing resource use in production and transport, and encouraging consumers to adopt reuse and repair habits.
Meet the experts
Below, you’ll find the profiles and contacts of women experts in various fields available for interviews, panel discussions, events, and other opportunities.
If you haven't subscribed to our newsletter yet, now is the perfect time! By clicking on the link below, you can join our ever-growing community.
Please note:
you may have to change the language setting to ENG at the top right of the 100esperte website to view the profiles in English language.
ELZA BONTEMPI
Full Professor at the University of Brescia, she leads eco-materials research at the Chemistry for Technologies Lab. Among the world’s top 2% outstanding Scientists (2021-2023), her work advances sustainable materials from waste and promotes the circular economy, focusing on recovering critical materials like lithium and cobalt from spent batteries.FEDERICA CUCCHIELLA
Full Professor of Engineering at the University of L’Aquila, specializing in waste management, renewable energy, and circular economy. Focuses on the economic aspects of renewable energy investments, especially in solar, biomethane, and waste-to-energy. Explores new business models for recycling electronic waste.
Contact nowLAURA MICHELINI
Professor of Management at LUMSA University, Rome, and board member of the Italian Society of Management. Michelini's research focuses on business model innovation, sharing economy, sustainability, circular economy, and food waste.
Contact now
NICOLETTA RAVASIO
Senior Associate at CNR, Italy, specializing in zero waste processes for organic synthesis, focusing on renewable raw materials like vegetable oils, terpenes, sugars, cellulose, and agro-industry waste valorization for the circular economy. Led projects like RiceRes for rice chain residue valorization and Circo for coffee silverskin multi-valorization.
SARA GABRIELSSON
Dr. Sara Gabrielsson is Senior Lecturer at Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies. She currently leads the research project 'Complicated Plastics - addressing taboo waste streams to promote user dignity and sustainable consumption' (2022-2025).
Contact nowMINNA HAKKARAINEN
Prof. Minna Hakkarainen is Professor in Polymer Technoloty at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. The development of sustainable and circular materials from commodity products to advanced materials is at the core of her research interest.
CHRISTIANE ZARFL
Prof. Dr. Christiane Zarfl is Professor of Environmental Systems Analysis in Tübingen, Germany. She focuses her research on environmental (organic) pollution, renewable energy development and mathematical modelling.
Contact nowPATRIZIA ZEVERI
The study of marine litter and the dispersion of microplastics in coastal and ocean systems is one of Prof. Dr. Patrizia Zeveri’s research areas. Her research combines the natural and social systems on issues of major societal and sustainable development concern.
Contact nowFOON YIN LAI
Prof. Foon Yin Lai works at the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, SLU, Sweden. Her research is within the field of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, with a goal to better understand and evaluate public and environmental health in relation to chemical use/exposure and impacts of emerging contaminants.
Contact now
ESPERANÇA CALVO ROSELLÓ
Specialized in the impact of tropospheric ozone on plants with over 20 years at the Mediterranean Environmental Studies Center (CEAM) and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Valencia. An expert in nutrition, health, and functional foods from UNED, she's also studied lichens as air pollution bioindicators.
Contact nowMAYTE FORNES
Agroecological technician and documentary maker on sustainable and eco-feminist farming. Works at CEAI NGO, also serving as Vice President of Llavors d'Ací Association and President of Animeta Organic Agriculture Association. Developed school garden educational materials, winning notable awards.
Contact nowHELENA PRIMA
Holding a Ph.D. in Physics of Sustainable Molecular Materials, she is deeply engaged in environmental activism, specifically targeting atmospheric pollution. Her research focuses on transformative shifts in transport modes and logistics to mitigate their environmental impact.
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FATIMA BOUDJAOUI
Fatima Boudjaoui's main areas of interest are sorting and recycling used batteries (circularity, reuse, etc.), as well as external communication with the media and all institutional, private and voluntary players and the general public.
SZANDRA GONZALEZ
A consultant on anti-waste and zero waste projects, such as the label for sustainable canteens in the Walloon region, she specializes in sustainable food initiatives and the circular economy for a positive social and environmental impact.
Contact nowYONEKO NURTANTIO
Co-creator of the zero food waste app "Just Keep It", Yoneko Nurtantio speaks to the media on sustainability issues. She also tackles issues relating to the mental load placed on women, particularly in connection with ecofeminism.
CHRISTINE GONZALEZ
University professor specializing in marketing, she works on sustainable consumer behaviour in the food sector. She is particularly interested in food waste and how digital tools can be used to reduce it.
Contact nowCHARLOTTE SOULARY
Head of Advocacy at Zero Waste France, an association working for a zero-waste society and a change in our production and consumption patterns. She previously worked for nearly 15 years with international NGOs. An ecofeminist activist, she published Le Féminisme pour sauver la planète in 2021.
Contact now
ENWE is committed to fostering dialogue, promoting diversity, and amplifying the voices of women experts across Europe. With Ask Women, we aim to showcase the incredible achievements and insights of these talented professionals, helping to bridge the gender gap in the media and beyond.
Thank you for reading and supporting our project!