To drive the energy transition, mastering the relevant technologies is just as important as having access to the necessary natural resources. That is why the Center for Innovation on News Energies (CINE)—which helps transform promising technologies into viable, scalable solutions—plays a strategic role in this process.

This is the perspective of Pauline Boeira, who has served as CINE’s Deputy Director since April of this year. With a solid track record in energy sector companies, Pauline currently leads the Advanced Fuels Program within the Technology division of Shell Brazil—founding sponsor of CINE, alongside FAPESP, since the Center’s inception in 2018.

In this interview, our Deputy Director discusses her career path and her experiences regarding gender equity along the way. She also shares her views on the energy transition in Brazil and her expectations for CINE’s next steps. To conclude, Pauline talks to students participating in the Center’s research projects about the opportunities the energy sector offers to professionals who are capable of bridging the gap between science, engineering, and industrial application.

You studied chemical engineering at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) and earned a master’s degree in the same field at University of Campinas (Unicamp) before launching your career in the energy sector. What led you to work in this industry? How does your academic background connect with your professional career?

During my undergraduate studies, the context in Rio de Janeiro in the 1990s was defined by a very strong Oil & Gas and petrochemical market; I had the opportunity to intern at major companies in these sectors, which was highly influential. This practical exposure made my interest in the energy sector develop quite naturally. I interned in product development within the petrochemical industry, learned about polymers, and had my first hands-on experience with industrial plants and applied technological innovation—ranging from understanding industrial operations to working in pilot plants, which serve as the critical link between research and large-scale implementation.

At the end of my undergraduate studies in 1996, I had an experience that proved pivotal to my career path. I was accepted into the master’s program at Unicamp’s School of Chemical Engineering and chose to specialize in chemical process development. This specialization solidified the technical foundation I had been building.

After completing my master’s degree, I joined the project team as a process engineer working on the topsides design for one of Petrobras’s FPSOs. That project served as my gateway into the energy sector and marked the beginning of my professional career in the industry.

The energy sector is predominantly male-dominated, with women making up about 30% of the overall workforce but holding only 5.5% of leadership positions (based on figures from Brazil). Please tell us briefly how you built your career in the sector and whether you faced any specific challenges due to being a woman.

Looking at the big picture, female representation in technical fields and the Oil & Gas industry—particularly in operational and leadership roles—remains lower than that of men. Interestingly, the process engineering field has a strong female presence; over my 25-plus-year career, I have worked with far more female process engineers than male ones, demonstrating that there are areas where this representation is already robust.

I began my career in a very challenging environment: a shipyard. It was an intense experience, but I was fortunate to have supportive managers and to work in a setting where no form of disrespect or discrimination was tolerated. Furthermore, on the project I worked on, more than half of the leadership positions were held by women—a departure from industry norms, yet a deeply impactful experience for me. Experiencing this environment early in my career showed me, in very concrete terms, that there is indeed a place for women in this sector. Moreover, it reinforced the idea that this place can—and should—be earned through capability and competence.

This perspective holds true and is further reinforced within Shell’s corporate environment, where gender equity is addressed in a structured and strategic manner. This commitment goes beyond mere statements; it is backed by metrics, integrated into leadership objectives, and linked to business performance. In this way, promoting diversity moves beyond being just an agenda item to become an essential element of value creation—while also fostering greater opportunities for development, recognition, and professional growth within a fairer, more inclusive environment. Looking back today, I believe that positive examples like this—combined with inclusive environments and leadership that fosters respect and equity—are essential to accelerating the industry’s transformation and consistently increasing women’s representation at all levels.

What is your view on the status of the energy transition, particularly in Brazil? And how important are initiatives like CINE in this context?

I view the energy transition as a process that is already underway; it is no longer a discussion about the future but a real transformation, progressing at different paces depending on the region.

In Brazil’s case, I believe we are in a very privileged position. Our energy matrix is ​​highly favorable, and we possess a unique combination of natural resources—solar, wind, and biomass—that gives the country enormous potential not only to participate in this transition but to lead it.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that this transition is not a simple matter of swapping one source for another. We are talking about a structural shift in the energy system, one that will require various solutions to coexist for quite some time.

In this scenario, initiatives like CINE are fundamental. The Center operates at the intersection of science, technology, and industrial application. It works on developing new solutions for energy generation and storage, helping to transform promising technologies into viable, scalable solutions.

What I find particularly relevant about CINE is its integrated approach: it involves not only cutting-edge research but also workforce development, industry collaboration, and technology transfer. Ultimately, the energy transition will be defined not just by who possesses natural resources, but by who can develop and master the technologies that add value to those resources.

What are your expectations for CINE in your role as Deputy Director?

My expectations for CINE are very positive. The Center has already built an extremely solid foundation, both from a scientific standpoint and in terms of its ability to engage with the industry—especially with the support of Shell, which has been a crucial strategic partner since the Center’s inception. This support not only enables the continuation of research but also directly helps steer CINE toward real-world challenges in the energy industry, strengthening the relevance and applicability of the solutions being developed.

In my view, the next step is to further expand the impact of the work already underway—particularly regarding the transition from knowledge to application. In other words, we need to advance the technological maturity of the solutions we develop, bringing them ever closer to industrial scale and the market. In this context, the connection with Shell is particularly important, as it accelerates this trajectory by providing business insight, strategic direction, and concrete implementation opportunities.

CINE already plays a fundamental role in training highly qualified professionals, and I believe we can further enhance this contribution by preparing talent with a systemic perspective—individuals capable of operating in a complex, interdisciplinary, and constantly evolving environment.

Finally, I hope to actively contribute to expanding CINE’s relevance as a strategic player in the energy transition, strengthening its role in generating innovation and developing technologies that can truly move from the lab to real-world impact. The partnership with Shell is a key element in this process, as it connects science, technology, and large-scale application.

CINE has around 130 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students conducting research at the Center. Based on your experience, what would you tell these students about career opportunities in the energy sector?

I would tell them that they are entering one of today’s most dynamic fields, one teeming with opportunities. The energy transition is driving a profound transformation that goes far beyond a mere shift in energy sources; it involves new processes, new business models, and, above all, new technologies. This means there is a wide range of opportunities. There is room for those interested in renewable energy, as well as advanced fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, energy storage, digitalization, and process optimization. And—something I consider very important—the sector increasingly needs professionals with an interdisciplinary perspective who can navigate the intersection of science, engineering, and industrial application.

The fact that students are working on real-world problems—at the cutting edge of knowledge and in collaboration with industry—gives them a distinct advantage. They are already gaining practical experience with the very types of challenges they will encounter in the job market.