Born: 17 September 1909, Belgium
Died: 11 February 2005
Country most active: Belgium
Also known as: NA
The following was written by Nina Baker and is excerpted from the book From Alchemy to Transport Phenomena: A Global History of Women in Chemical Engineering.
Marie Louise Compernolle (1909– 2005) was the first female Flemish chemical engineer. She studied at the Royal Athenaeum and then Ghent University, graduating with a PhD with distinction in chemical engineering in 1932. However, the economic situation was so bad then that jobs in the State service were reserved for men rather than women and she was only able to get a temporary post as assistant in Professor Moens’ laboratory but felt forced to leave in 1937 due to the hostile attitudes. She married and never pursued her career thereafter.