Véronique Almadovar, a career dedicated to mathematics

It was in 1992, shortly after the creation of the Center for Mathematics and their Applications (CMLA), now known as the Borelli Center, that Véronique Almadovar took up her position as technical assistant for administrative and financial management at the laboratory. “When I arrived, I started by learning all the management techniques, procedures, and regulations,” recalls Véronique Almadovar. “I then quickly completed a Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) program. Throughout my career, I took competitive exams to move up the ranks until I became a senior research engineer at the CNRS.”

Thanks to her growing skills and determination, Véronique Almadovar has been able to cope with the diversification and complexity of her tasks, becoming the laboratory administrator, whose role is to assist the management and coordinate the work of the administrative and financial team. She has managed several hundred contracts, representing a financial flow of tens of millions of euros, notably for the recruitment of scientists.

The CMLA, which had only a handful of researchers in the early 1990s, also experienced sustained growth with the gradual arrival of numerous research teams. This constant evolution culminated in 2020 with the creation of the Borelli Center, born from the merger of the CMLA and the Cognition and Action Group (Cognac G) neuroscience laboratory. The Borelli Center now has around 200 employees.

“2020 was a pivotal year because, in addition to the merger of the two laboratories, I also helped the laboratory move from Cachan to Gif-sur-Yvette, in the midst of the Covid pandemic,” recalls the Borelli Center's administrator. The challenge was met, and this period strengthened solidarity within the team. If we hadn't been so united, we wouldn't have succeeded, and I am grateful to all my colleagues for that."

The CNRS Crystal Medal awarded to Véronique Almadovar recognizes her commitment, adaptability, and human qualities, which she has demonstrated in the creation and administrative management of the laboratory. Beyond its interdisciplinary identity, the laboratory is unique in that it has five supervisory bodies and is located on two separate sites.

“My career has been very rewarding and enriching because I was involved in setting up the laboratory and have been there throughout its development,” says Véronique Almadovar. “There have been so many changes and stages, with such dynamic teams, that my role has constantly evolved and I have always had challenges to meet in my career.”

Article published by the CNRS Île-de-France delegation, Gif-sur-Yvette