12-02-2025
Margarida Paulino, a final-year student of the Integrated Master's in Physical Engineering at NOVA FCT, has been awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, granted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This fellowship aims to promote female participation in the nuclear field by covering tuition fees, living expenses, and providing training and internship opportunities at the IAEA.
Currently conducting her thesis research at the Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics (LIP), under the supervision of João Cruz, Professor at NOVA FCT, and Daniel Galaviz, LIP, the NOVA FCT student is investigating one of the fundamental processes behind the formation of chemical elements in the universe.
"My research focuses on measuring the probability of a specific nuclear reaction between a proton and a tin isotope (¹¹⁸Sn), which results in an antimony isotope (¹¹⁹Sb) while emitting gamma radiation. In other words, this reaction is part of a mechanism that occurs within stars and helps explain the origin of certain heavy elements. By accurately determining the so-called cross-section of this reaction, scientists can improve models that describe stellar nucleosynthesis and the chemical evolution of the cosmos," explains Margarida Paulino.
This recognition highlights not only the student's academic and scientific excellence but also the importance of diversity in science and nuclear technology.
