As we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2025, we at openZDM are proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible women driving innovation within our project and highlighting the vital contributions of women in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and manufacturing, showcasing their expertise and inspiring the next generation.
The openZDM project aims to revolutionize manufacturing by achieving Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts. Today, we’re celebrating two of our remarkable partners, Cristina Cristalli, Co-Founder at U-Sense.IT and Filipa Lourenço, Project Manager at AIMEN Centro Tecnológico.
Cristina Cristalli: Pioneering Non-Destructive Testing for Quality Control
Cristina Cristalli, Co-Founder at U-Sense.IT, an innovative startup in Italy, plays a crucial role in the openZDM project as the responsible for developing new and innovative non-destructive instruments for measuring Gap & Flush in the Volkswagen Autoeuropa Vehicle body shop and final assembly demonstrator.
“What inspires me most in my work is to bring innovative solutions to solve real needs,” Cristina shares. Her dedication to enhancing quality control and achieving ZDM is evident in her work. “This innovative instrument for Volkswagen Autoeuropa can improve their quality control in order to reach the Zero Defect Manufacturing.” Cristina’s message to women in STEM is powerful: “Always bring your attitude and perspective in teamwork. For example, in the manufacturing sector, a mainly male world – only by bringing different perspectives to a project, it’s possible to reach innovative solutions.” Her emphasis on the value of diverse perspectives is essential for driving groundbreaking advancements.
Filipa Lourenço: Driving Innovation through Strategic Project Management
The role of Filipa Lourenço, Project Manager at AIMEN Centro Tecnológico is instrumental in driving innovation through strategic project management within the openZDM project.
“What inspires me most about my work is the power of collaborative problem-solving,” Filipa explains. “Every day, I see how different individuals and teams can come together, blending their different perspectives and creating breakthrough solutions.” Her message to other women in STEM is truly inspirational: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Please don’t let self-doubts or external barriers limit your potential.”
The impact brought by Women of openZDM
The words of Cristina and Filipa highlight the critical role women play in advancing manufacturing technologies and achieving ZDM. By showcasing the achievements of women in the openZDM project, we aim to inspire and empower future generations of female engineers, scientists, and innovators. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for driving innovation and achieving sustainable manufacturing practices.
