IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

09/14/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/14/2021 08:19

Beyond the Lab Coat: From Materials Science to Programme Management

'It is the link between my work and the wellbeing of entire communities that makes my job so rewarding,' says Petra Salame, a Programme Management Officer (PMO) at the IAEA in charge of the Agency's technical cooperation projects in China, Indonesia and Viet Nam.

She works closely with country experts to help build national capacities using nuclear technologies that support development, sustainability and quality of life. Salame's work and coordination have helped to produce major impacts, including the dissemination of improved soil and crop management techniques in Arab States, the development of new science curricula for secondary schools across Asia and the Pacific and strengthening South-South cooperation in nuclear medicine.

Between 2015 and 2019, Salame was the first woman to hold the role of focal point for the Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia (ARASIA), coordinating the activities for training, research, development and applications of nuclear science and technology among 10 countries in West Asia. 'Managing the ARASIA Programme is very challenging. The focal point needs to propose innovative and strategic approaches and induce significant progress in the implementation of the Agreement. Ms Salame did a remarkable job in this role,' said Bilal Nsouli, ARASIA Chairperson and head of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission.