Meet Kamila and Cheral, two women building careers in membrane technology and filtration. From scientific research to hands-on engineering, they share what drives them, what they’ve learned, and their advice for the next generation entering the industry.
Kamila Szalata
For Kamila, a career in membrane technology began with a passion for research and a curiosity about how materials can solve real-world problems. While working with ceramic membranes in the Memtec research group at Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona, she discovered the scientific elegance of membrane technology, where material structure, performance and application are intrinsically linked. As her career evolved from academic research into industrial development, she realised the significant role membranes play in tackling global challenges such as water scarcity, process efficiency and sustainability.
Kamila’s career has combined world-class research with practical industrial experience. She has worked on composite silica membranes for gas separation, nanofiltration technologies for oilfield applications at The Dow Chemical Company (now DuPont), and bioinspired membranes for proton transport during her PhD. A research placement at the European Membrane Institute in Montpellier further strengthened her expertise, before leading R&D activities at KOZHYA. Today, as an R&D Scientist at PCI Membranes®, she applies this diverse experience to developing innovative membrane technologies for industries ranging from water treatment to food and beverage processing.
What attracted Kamila to PCI Membranes® was the opportunity to transform scientific knowledge into practical solutions. She enjoys working on technologies that improve process performance while delivering meaningful environmental benefits, particularly in water treatment, where reliable membrane systems help provide access to clean drinking water.
Looking ahead, she believes membrane technology will play an increasingly important role in addressing resource efficiency and sustainable industrial processes. Her motivation comes from bridging scientific innovation with practical impact, developing technologies that create lasting value for both industry and society.
Her advice to those starting a career in the sector is simple: stay curious, embrace new challenges and remain open to learning from other disciplines. “Science doesn’t end in the laboratory,” she says. “Its greatest value comes from translating knowledge into solutions that improve people’s lives.”
Cheral Theussing
From an early age, a fascination with both chemistry and technology set the foundation for Cheral’s career in filtration engineering. While studying pre-vocational secondary education, inspiring teachers in chemistry and technical subjects sparked an interest that led to a degree in Chemical Engineering at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. “It was the best of both worlds,” explains Cheral. “I enjoy chemistry, but not the highly precise laboratory work, and I like engineering without spending every day designing the same thing behind a desk.”
Following roles with several companies, Cheral joined Amafilter®, part of Filtration Group, where the opportunity to combine chemical and mechanical engineering proved to be the perfect fit. Although working in a machinery factory wasn’t the original career plan, the role quickly became an ideal match. Today, the work spans customer support, process engineering, laboratory testing, pilot trials and commissioning, providing the variety that keeps every day different.
A self-confessed “diehard technician,” Cheral particularly enjoys designing filtration processes and applying technical knowledge to solve customer challenges. Balancing this with customer interaction can be demanding, but it is also one of the most rewarding aspects of the role, helping customers optimise their filtration processes through practical expertise.
Recently, Cheral has taken on an additional responsibility as project manager for a new product development initiative. While still in its early stages, the project has provided valuable opportunities to develop leadership skills alongside technical expertise.
What continues to drive Cheral is the constant opportunity to learn. Working within Process Technology & Development means tackling a diverse range of chemical applications, each presenting unique materials, processes and filtration challenges. This continuous learning is what makes the role so enjoyable.
For those considering a career in the industry, Cheral offers simple but valuable advice: “Do what you enjoy, what makes you happy, and where your efforts are appreciated. If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never stop learning.”
For more information visit amafiltration.com.
