IRT Jules Verne is strengthening its Scientific Advisory Board and expanding into new industrial sectors
Nantes, 18 November 2025
On 13 November, the Scientific Council of IRT Jules Verne met and welcomed three new members who are recognised experts in the fields of materials, public transport, nuclear energy and robotics. With the appointment of Jean-Pierre CHEVALIER, Marie-Claude DUPUIS and Nahid KARSHENAS to the Scientific Council, IRT Jules Verne is further developing its technology roadmap, strengthening its engagement with new industrial sectors and focusing its research and innovation strategy on the digitalisation and sustainability of manufacturing processes.
Three exceptional and complementary profiles to drive multi-sector industrial innovation
Jean-Pierre CHEVALIER, Professor Emeritus at the CNAM and a member of the Académie des Technologies, studied physics at the University of Cambridge (BA and PhD) and is a recognised specialist in industrial materials, whether metallic or polymeric. With a distinguished career at the CNRS and a leading role in national research and innovation initiatives, he brings to the Scientific Council unrivalled expertise in materials and their processing methods.
“The need for industries to remain competitive, against a backdrop of significant constraints (energy and environmental transition, raw materials and economic competition), makes R&D work – particularly that carried out by IRT Jules Verne – essential. I hope to be able to contribute to this,” says Jean-Pierre CHEVALIER.
Marie-Claude DUPUIS, a graduate of the École Polytechnique and the École des Mines de Paris, and a member of the French Academy of Technologies and the High Council for the Prevention of Technological Risks, has unique strategic and operational experience in the industrial, nuclear and public transport sectors. Having recently retired, she previously held the positions of Head of CSR and Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation within the RATP Group. Her career illustrates her ability to lead major industrial projects and to support organisational transformation against a backdrop of energy and digital transitions.
“I am very honoured to join the Scientific Council of IRT Jules Verne and delighted to be able to contribute in this way to its vital mission of strengthening the competitiveness of factories in France,” explains Marie-Claude DUPUIS.
Nahid KARSHENAS, Director of Automation, IT and Digital at Emotors, is an expert in robotics and the digitalisation of manufacturing processes. With over twenty years’ experience working for major automotive manufacturers (Renault Automation, PSA, Emotors), she brings a pragmatic and innovative perspective to the challenges associated with automation and the integration of digital technology in factories.
‘I am delighted to join the Scientific Council of IRT Jules Verne, to contribute my experience in implementing innovations, and to learn from our discussions,’ said Nahid KARSHENAS.
A strengthened Scientific Council to support industrial transformation
With these three appointments, the Scientific Council of IRT Jules Verne is consolidating its role as the guardian of scientific and technological excellence in the institute’s work. The Council evaluates and guides IRT Jules Verne’s technological research strategies with one overriding objective: to address the competitiveness challenges facing France’s major industrial sectors. At the heart of its technology roadmap, the institute is focusing in particular on the digitalisation of manufacturing processes (‘Digital for Manufacturing’) as well as on sustainability (‘Manufacturing Sustainability’), which, amongst other things, examines the environmental impact of industrial activities and addresses the necessary transformation of the sector to conserve resources.
“The arrival of these three experts confirms our ambition to combine scientific excellence with industrial realities. They strengthen our ability to take industrial needs into account, to anticipate major technological developments and to position IRT Jules Verne as a key player in the industry’s transformation towards more resource-efficient, sustainable and digital models,” emphasises Claude GIRARD, Chief Executive of IRT Jules Verne.
Role of the Scientific Council
The Scientific Council of IRT Jules Verne comprises 12 leading national and international figures from the scientific and technical communities. It meets once or twice a year to review IRT Jules Verne’s technology roadmap. Chaired by Mr Didier GUEDRA-DEGEORGES, Chief Executive Officer of DGD Partner SAS and Business Relations Officer at ENS Paris-Saclay, this body supports the IRT Jules Verne Board of Directors in its research, innovation and training strategies. It has two main roles: evaluating the scientific and technological roadmap and its implementation; and advising on scientific and technological strategy, particularly with regard to foresight.
Composition of the Scientific Council
- Nabil ANWER, Université Paris-Sud 11
- Olivier APPERT, Conseil Français de l’Énergie / Académie des Technologies
- Nadège BOUQUIN, Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie (ANRT)
- Jean-Pierre CHEVALIER, Professeur émérite du Cnam et membre de l’Académie des technologies
- Marie-Claude DUPUIS, Conseil supérieur de la prévention des risques technologiques / Académie des Technologies
- Clément FORTIN, SKOLTECH
- Didier GUEDRA-DEGEORGES, ENS Saclay
- Nahid KHARSHENAS, Emotors
- Giuseppe MENSITIERI, Université de Naples Frédéric II
- Bruno MORTAIGNE, État-Major des Armées
- Gilles SAVARD, Université d’ingénierie – Polytechnique Montréal
- Cesare STEFANINI, Biorobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa / Khalifa University – Abu Dhabi
