A heart for mathematics

2020-03-09

Chloe Audigier is a 32 years old computer scientist and researcher – her love for mathematics and science has brought her all around the world from Normandy, Paris and Nice to London, Baltimore, Princeton, and now, Erlangen.

From a young age, Chloe Audigier has loved mathematics. And this passion set her on the path that she is on today – as a research scientist for Siemens Healthineers working with colleagues from around the world to develop a digital twin of the human body.

“The digital twin is a computer simulation that uses patient data to create a virtual representation of a patient’s organs or systems,” she explains. “And with this digital twin, we can simulate and predict the outcome of therapies.”

So, for example, the digital twin of the human heart. Currently under development with our clinical research partners, the AI-powered technology is intended to allow cardiologists to virtually implant a pacemaker on a digital representation of the patient’s heart before physically implanting the device into the patient with open heart surgery.

It is this opportunity to work on possibly life-changing ideas that motivates Chloe: “I like my job,” she says. “I like what we do. It’s not easy some days, but when you think, at the end of the day, what you are doing is to help a patient. I find that very motivating.”

She thinks although the field she works in is very much a male-dominated, things are changing. But more can be done to encourage young women. “If a girl likes mathematics, physics, or science, I think that is something they should be encouraged to pursue, as there is no difference in their abilities compared to boys,” says Chloe. “And I think having examples of women who succeed in the sciences are always good.” She recalls during her studies, “when I started doing my PhD, I attended a conference and saw a fellow woman scientist and thought, ‘Hey, if she can do it – then so can I.’”