Eva Delgado

From the age of nine, Eva knew she wanted to pursue a degree in STEM. However, coming from a lower-income family, she faced significant challenges in finding a clear path into the sciences. Although no one in her family had graduated from university, they were very supportive of her dreams of becoming an engineer.

After receiving a degree in chemical engineering from the prestigious Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV), she started working on Gas and Fuel Power plants, designing the processes for fluids and overseeing the commissioning of a Combined Cycle Power Plant (860Mw) in Romania. Following this, she spent four years working at the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant (2000 MW), developed by PWR Westinghouse Technology. There, she served as the System Responsible Engineer for Nuclear HVAC and Liquid and Gas Systems, supervising various aspects of the systems, including maintenance, operations, design modifications, non-conformities, and more. It was her concern for the environmental impact of CO2 emissions that led her to transition into the nuclear sector after eight years. She now has a total of seventeen years of experience as a Process Engineer in the energy sector.

In 2020, Eva decided to pursue her dream of working on the ITER project. She joined the organization’s Liquid and Gas Systems and Test Blanket Module Program where she works as the System Integration Responsible Officer for Nuclear HVAC. Her expertise in process design, nuclear safety, and functional integration has been instrumental to the success of the project.

With a background in nuclear fission, Eva saw the immense potential that fusion holds when it comes to addressing environmental sustainability. Her decision to transition into the fusion sector was driven by a deep belief in its promise and the role she could play in its development. Eva’s expertise in process, nuclear safety, a functional integration has been instrumental in her contributions to the development of fusion.

She highlights the importance of bridging the gap between fusion and fission, leveraging the existing knowledge and infrastructure developed in fission to propel fusion forward. “I decided to move to working in fusion because I see the potential this technology could have,” she explains. “With my background in nuclear fission, I believe I can contribute to the development of this technology in the industrial environment with the biggest safety culture.” She is adamant about the need to bridge the gap between the fusion and fission industry.

Eva recommends that anyone looking to enter into fusion should “be ready to work on a first-of-a-kind project, I would recommend strong technical skills and open-mindedness.” Fusion is at the forefront of scientific innovation, requiring technical knowledge and an ability to adapt to new and everchanging challenges.

A significant highlight in Eva’s career has been witnessing the successful operation of power plants she helped design. “Seeing the power plants that I worked on designing now operating successfully is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “It’s in moments like these that you really see that your work has been done well.” However, Eva acknowledges that the most significant challenges in her career have been personal rather than technical. Balancing work and personal life and managing workplace conflicts have been some of the hurdles she’s been forced to navigate.