Portrait of the Month : Mariem

My name is Mariem Cherqaoui. I come from a small town in Morocco, and I’m building my career in the nuclear field with the ambition of helping change the often‑intimidating perception surrounding radiation and nuclear energy. It’s not just about atomic bombs — when handled safely and responsibly; nuclear technology brings numerous benefits to society.

I joined NUVIA MENA in October 2024 as an intern, and I kept growing with the team as a Nuclear Project Engineer from April 2025.

Before joining NUVIA, I had recently completed a Master’s degree in Radiation Protection at Mohammed V University in Morocco.

Since joining NUVIA in MENA, I have taken on a variety of responsibilities across service delivery, QHSE project support, auditing, and tendering. My main mission is to ensure that projects are delivered in full compliance with quality requirements and in line with client expectations. I do this with the support of the team and with a strong emphasis on rigorous project management.

The team I work with feels like a second family. I also appreciate the diversity of tasks, which keeps me continuously learning and discovering new things. Even though we are a small team, we work on a wide range of projects, giving us the chance to share knowledge and grow together.

The diversity of projects can be challenging, as each one requires new knowledge and a different way of working. You constantly need to adapt quickly and understand exactly what is expected.

Can you imagine that a single neutron striking a heavy atom can generate enough energy to power thousands of homes? That fascinated me. I’m naturally curious about the physics behind things we cannot see, and nuclear science embodies that invisible yet powerful world. But nuclear technology goes far beyond power plants — it plays a vital role in medicine, industry, and even food quality control. When used safely and responsibly, radiation can serve society in many meaningful ways. This combination of scientific curiosity and societal impact is what drew me to the field.

One of the standout moments in my journey at NUVIA was participating in the very first spent resin transfer at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. I had the opportunity to follow the entire process — from installation all the way through the transfer operation. Being on the ground for such a critical milestone was both exciting and incredibly instructive.

Another unforgettable experience was the two-week immersion at NUVIA Structure within NUVIA France and a one-week immersion at NUVIA Czech Republic. These experiences allowed me to discover different working methods, gain a better understanding of the NUVIA’s organisation, and expand my internal network. During my immersion in France, I also visited ITER, where I discovered one of the world’s largest fusion projects, currently under construction and designed to reach temperatures of up to 100 million degrees Celsius. Seeing this technological ambition up close was truly inspiring.

Growth, Opportunity, Diversity

At NUVIA, you don’t just observe — you get involved, you learn by doing, and you grow with the team.

We don’t fear what we understand — we build with it.

Stay curious, stay humble, and keep moving forward.