#WorldWCR Women Shifting Gears: Gea Prioglio

The author describes her journey driven by curiosity and creativity. Inspired by her parents, she explored various fields before choosing materials engineering and nanotechnology, where she was fascinated by the properties of materials and chemistry. Her academic journey included studying rubber compounds, which led to a master’s thesis collaborating with Pirelli on rubber and graphene research.

After completing her doctorate in partnership with Pirelli, she began working in their raw materials group, where she gained practical experience and learned how to scale processes from the lab to industrial production. In 2025, she attended a motorcycle race for the first time, which piqued her interest in how the materials she developed perform in competitive settings. This experience led to her role as R&D Materials Specialist for Moto Racing Compound Development, starting in March 2026. Her job involves significant travel and collaboration with racing teams to refine product development based on feedback and performance.

She emphasizes the importance of being humble and open-minded in the workplace, realizing that despite her academic qualifications, she was a newcomer at Pirelli. She values asking questions and learning from others while staying positive and committed to her passions. The author encourages young women to pursue fields they enjoy, noting that her workplace promotes gender equality, with a balanced male-to-female ratio.

She finds satisfaction in seeing her work lead to successful outcomes and learning from failures. Reflecting on her experiences, she advises her younger self to have confidence in the future and understand that hard work is essential for achieving goals, even when results don’t come immediately. The author expresses a desire to grow in her career and ultimately lead a team, welcoming the challenges that lie ahead.