Katy Tcha-Tokey has just defended her thesis on "design and evaluation of user experience in immersive virtual environments." Curious, creative, and dynamic, she was also involved in the exhibition "Technologie Nom Féminin" (Technology: A Feminine Noun).
"I have always needed to learn how to solve problems."
Katy Tcha-Tokey, who was born in 1987 in Lomé, Togo, has been drawn to science since childhood. Curious by nature, she was quickly introduced to computer science by her family and friends, and decided to make this field her specialty. So, it was only natural that after obtaining her scientific baccalaureate in 2005, she embarked on studies in chemical engineering and process engineering and enrolled in a master's program atthe University of Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier. After five years of study, she obtained a master's degree in computer science, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, and acquired advanced skills in the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computer systems for human use.
"I wanted to do research that required much more creativity than working in a company."
It was during a master's internship atIRIT (Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse)that she discovered research. Her internship complemented her thirst for learning and the skills she had acquired during her training. Through a concrete project to create a platform to help blind people find their way around a theme garden, she learned to develop ergonomics and human-machine interfaces. Katy could have stopped there, butpassionate, she continued her training and joined a doctoral program with the "Presence and Innovation"team at the LAMPA laboratory at the Arts et Métiers Institute Arts et Métiers Laval. During her thesis, entitled "Design and Evaluation of User Experience in Immersive Virtual Environments," she observed the diversity of perceptions, emotions, and feelings when a person is immersed in a virtual environment.
Now, Doctor, Katy is still seeking discovery and learning and wants to continue her research with a postdoctoral fellowship. But she has not ruled out her deep desire to become an entrepreneur.
"I was committed to taking action that promotes the image of women in scientific careers."
Convinced that there are still too few examples of successful female careers in scientific research, Katy is also involved in the exhibition project "Technologie Nom Féminin" (Technology: A Woman's Name), which aims to highlight, through portraits in photos and words, the careers of young female engineers in order to demystify the field of technology and industry and inspire vocations. Through her portrait,, she wanted to show that women have a place in all positions and in all fields of activity.
