Women in Engineering: Cristina Hernán on standardisation and turning research into impact

Engineering is not only about developing new technologies. It is also about ensuring that knowledge can be shared, applied, and scaled to create real impact.

As part of our Women in Engineering series, we spoke with Cristina Hernán, Project Manager at UNE (Spanish Association for Standardization). In the HARMONY project, she works at the intersection of science, policy, and standardisation, helping translate research results into frameworks that can benefit industry and society.

Cristina shares how her curiosity led her into science, how her multidisciplinary background shapes her work today, and why collaboration and continuous learning are key to building a career in STEM.

Profile

Name: Cristina Hernán

Role: Project Manager

Organisation: UNE – Asociación Española de Normalización

Country: Spain

Field: Standardisation, science-policy interface

Education: Pharmacy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-hern%C3%A1n-848b7922a/

Cristina Hernán working at her desk in an office, using a computer with dual monitors displaying technical content related to standardisation work.
Cristina Hernán at UNE, supporting standardisation activities that connect research with industry and policy.

Finding a path into engineering

What first sparked your interest in science?

“My interest in science arose because I have always liked to understand how things work. From a young age, I was curious to know why things happen, how objects are constructed, or how science can explain the world around us.”

That curiosity quickly turned into a clear direction.

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in science, as my curiosity to understand how the world works and find explanations for phenomena has always been a great motivation for me.”

From studies to engineering research

What did you study, and what drew you to that subject?

“I chose to study Pharmacy because it is a science degree that is closely related to other areas such as Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, and Technology, which allows me to gain broad training in the scientific field.”

That broad perspective now plays a key role in her work.

“What helped me most is the multidisciplinary knowledge I acquired. It allows me to contribute to the development of technical standards in various scientific areas and to collaborate with national experts on projects at national, European, and international level.”

Contributing to magnet recycling and circular technologies

Cristina’s role in HARMONY focuses on ensuring that scientific results can be translated into widely usable knowledge.

“UNE’s work in HARMONY focuses on providing partners with relevant information on standards and standardisation projects that may affect their work.”

“UNE also helps partners to develop new standards based on the knowledge generated during the project, so that it can benefit the scientific community as a whole.”

What makes the project meaningful for her is its broader impact.

“This project contributes to the recycling of rare raw materials that are scarce in nature and essential to our daily lives. It is important to promote their reuse to minimize environmental impact and optimize the use of natural resources.”

Cristina Hernán presenting during a meeting, seated at a table with colleagues, with a screen in the background showing standardisation activities related to the HARMONY project.
Cristina Hernán presenting standardisation activities during a HARMONY project meeting.

Women in engineering

Cristina values the opportunity to apply science to real-world challenges.

“What I enjoy most is being able to apply my scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems and to keep learning in such a dynamic and challenging environment.”

What message would she give to girls considering engineering?

“Careers in science and engineering are challenging but extremely rewarding. They provide the tools to understand the world, develop solutions to real problems, and contribute to the progress of society.”

“Although the path requires effort, the knowledge gained opens many opportunities and is truly worth it.”

Cristina Hernán sitting on a rock in a mountainous area with colourful layered hills in the background, wearing a red jacket and sunglasses.
Cristina Hernán exploring a mountainous landscape during her time outdoors.

Advice for future engineers

Looking ahead, Cristina highlights the importance of adaptable and collaborative skills.

“The most important skills will be creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, along with a mindset of constantly learning, adapting to change, and trusting in your ability to innovate and lead.”

What motivates you on days when research or engineering work becomes challenging?

“I am motivated by the knowledge that every challenge is a learning opportunity and that overcoming problems brings me closer to generating solutions that truly matter to society.”

About the series

This interview is part of the HARMONY Women in Engineering series, highlighting the diverse women working across Europe to advance magnet recycling and circular technologies.

Read more interviews: