Women in Tire & Rubber: Isabella Zama

Profiles of the inaugural class members of Rubber & Plastics News' Women in Tire & Rubber will appear daily through Aug. 21. Edited profiles of the entire class were published in the July 27 issue of RPN.

Isabella Zama

Quality Manager

Cabot S.p.a. Italiana

Location: Ravenna, Italy

Education: Bachelor Degree in Industrial Chemistry

Career highlights:

• R&D Manager at Tozzi Green (12 years)

• Projects managed:
• CLEVER: Clean Electric Vehicles powered by energy from Renewables.
• MOSAIC: Manufacturing of Organic Solar Architecturally Integratable Cells.
• Synthesis of Ru-based metallo-organic dyes: patented PCT/EP2017/069967 "Novel fluorinated metal complexes."
• Developing of TiO2 Printable paste: patented US9085467 B2_ "Process For The Preparation Of Titanium Dioxide Having Nanometric Dimensions And Controlled Shape."
• MAAT: Molecular Nanotechnology for Health and Environment Synthesis of Fluorinated Ionic Liquid Crystal Molecules; fabrication of thermal and UV sealing
• SAGRO: Natural pigments (Extraction/Encapsulation Methods by SC CO2, Spray dry technique)

• Researcher Ce.Ri.Col_R&D Department at Colorobbia Italia (two years)

• Synthesis up to 100 liters of nano-TiO2 and other inorganic particles for ink jet application.
• Patented WO2006100596 A3 "Process for the inclusion of heat-labile ceramic pigments and the inclusion pigments thus obtained."

• Researcher at C.N.R_ISTEC: National Research Center (two years)

• Process for the inclusion of heat-labile ceramic pigments and the inclusion pigments thus obtained.

What drew you to the rubber industry, and what has made your career in the industry rewarding?

I started to work in Cabot last year, so I'm new to the industry. I'm always fascinated by the world of solid particles and their application.

I believe in the power of team building and sharing new ideas for continuous improvement. I love to discover new subjects and, at the same time, to share my point of view based on my experience. I strongly believe in the power of different points of view as great added value.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

My best nano synthesis is my little son who is 8 years old!

What do you count as your biggest failure and what has it taught you?

In the world of science most discoveries arose from failure. Try and error, try and error ... until the right formula will be reached. I don't like to speak about failures, but I like to speak about my behaviors that I can try to improve. Behaviors are a combination between instinct and conditioning. Over the years, I've tried to follow my instinct.

Who or what inspires you?

"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" citation by physicist Richard Feynman. I'm very curious and I like to improve my knowledge. I'm fascinated by any form of arts.

Who were your career mentors, and what role did they play?

I have to thank many people I met in my previous works. I was lucky.

• Valerio Borzatta (R&D Director Endura)
• Giovanni Baldi (R&D Director Colorobbia)
• Professor Paolo Righi (UniBo: Organic Department)
• Professor Vincenzo Vecchio (UniFi: Agrofood Department)
• Last, but not least, Franco Tozzi (A visionary industrial man)

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Never give up!

If you were CEO of a company, what would you do first?

Meet people.

What would you tell someone considering a career in the rubber industry?

Like your job.

In your opinion, what needs to be done to encourage females to pursue STEM-related careers?

Trust you are enough.