Daniella LUCA, Head of the Academic Writing Center
I lead the Academic Writing Center, where I design, develop, and deliver training for faculty members and PhD students across the university. My teaching focuses on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), public speaking, and intercultural communication. Additionally, I coach administrative and technical staff at CentraleSupélec to strengthen their English communication skills in the workplace. As a facilitator in intercultural communication, I lead reflective workshops on how identity and culture shape our interactions and relationships with others.
I hold a Master’s in Educational Sciences and Modern Languages from the University of Messina. Since graduating in 2001, I have taught English in a variety of academic and professional settings across Europe and the UK, working with corporate clients and senior professionals in France, high school and university students in Spain, and Chinese government officials in the UK.
Contact me: daniella.luca@centralesupelec.fr
Mélissa Ann THOMAS, Scientific Communication Coach
I have been an English teacher in France since 2008, joining the Academic Writing Center in 2021. I’ve taught at Lycée Chevolier (Angers), Université Blaise-Pascal (Clermont-Ferrand), and various associations around Paris, as well as schools outside of France, in Guatemala and Taiwan. Before my life in France, I attended the University of Washington, where I studied both Astronomy (peculiar RR Lyrae, supernovae type 1a, and extrasolar planet search) and Speech and Hearing Sciences. As a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, I continued my studies in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department. Throughout my academic experience, my research projects have focused on language learning, using techniques such as point-light displays, event-related brain potential, eye tracking, virtual worlds, and fMRI. My ultimate goal as an AWC language coach is to give authors not only the tools to become better writers, but to also have them take joy in shaping their words for more efficient scientific communication.
Contact me: melissa-ann.thomas@centralesupelec.fr
Michelle AWAD, Scientific Communication Coach
I have been teaching academic writing for the past five years, joining the Academic Writing Center in 2025. I have taught writing courses at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, as well as University of California, Berkeley. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education Policy and Arabic Studies, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Professional Educator License in English Language Arts from the University of Illinois. In addition to my experience in higher education, I have worked in the nonprofit sector, organizing public lecture series for researchers, authors, and scientists. As an instructor at the University of Illinois' Odyssey Project, I focused on making academic writing and research accessible to community members and nontraditional students. Now that I am working with researchers, my goal is to help scientists communicate their work clearly, confidently, and effectively. My overarching philosophy is that writing is not just about output, it is also a way of thinking that is grounded in metacognitive awareness and revision practices, potentially making us not just better scientists and communicators, but neighbors and citizens as well.
Contact me: michelle.awad@centralesupelec.fr
Andrew CRAWFORD, Scientific Communication Coach
I am an English language coach with over ten years experience in education. Having arrived in France in 2012 I have provided language training to people in various industries, including marketing, finance, legal and manufacturing. Prior to moving into the education sector, I spent 8 years working in the financial services industry in the UK following my graduation from Coventry University with a B.A Hons degree in Business Enterprise in 2002. Given the global challenges now faced, from fighting climate change to dealing with possible future pandemics, we need collective global expertise. I am passionate about helping the scientifc community here at Université Paris Saclay improve their written English so that they have the tools neccessary to contribute more easily with the global scientific community ; enabling deeper global collaboration for finding the solutions to the problems.
Contact me: andrew.crawford@centralesupelec.fr