Naïma Chenah is an Algerian and Belgian scientist with an early training and academic career as a chemist in Algiers (USTHB: Université des Sciences et Technologies Houari Boumediene).  She then switched to environmental science and management after moving to Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) in 2000 and later to Marseille. In her earlier academic career, she had been working on coordination chemistry, notably on the magnetic and electrochemical characterization of some transition metals complexes, leading to international publications. She taught at the main Algiers University (USTHB) from 1990 to 2004.

After moving to Belgium, Naïma Chenah switched to environmental science. She graduated (third cycle) in environmental science and management from Université Catholique de Louvain, with specialization in the management of chemical waste. Since then, she has expanded on her topics of interest considerably, moving to more general questions involving sustainable development, water management, and the link between health and environmental issues. She is currently an independent consultant in environmental science and management based in Marseille and one of the managers of the website devoted to communication and public engagement, Livinmarseille (https://livinmarseille.com/), where she leads the environmental section.