Today, 11 February, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an initiative supported by UNESCO encouraging women and girls to pursue a career in science and promoting diversity in research.
This day reminds us how important it is to expose young generations to women role models in science. To celebrate gender equality in science, we present seven outstanding women working at PSI.
PSI aims to increase the share of women in core areas with a focus on leading and postdoctoral positions. Last year, PSI - Empa - Eawag founded the Competence Centre for Diversity & Inclusion. This initiative allows the three research institutes to maximize synergies and strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion within the ETH Domain.
Cinthia Piamonteze
“I love performing experiments in such a big laboratory like the synchrotron. I like the international and open environment and to constantly learn new things.”
Cinthia Piamonteze studies materials with unusual magnetic properties and in doing so is laying the groundwork for the computer memories of tomorrow. These should consume less energy and work faster than present-day devices. Piamonteze herself set up the specialised measuring station she uses at the Swiss Light Source SLS of PSI. She also supports external researchers who use her system to investigate magnetism.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
“I love performing experiments in such a big laboratory like the synchrotron. I like the international and open environment and to constantly learn new things.”
Cinthia Piamonteze studies materials with unusual magnetic properties and in doing so is laying the groundwork for the computer memories of tomorrow. These should consume less energy and work faster than present-day devices. Piamonteze herself set up the specialised measuring station she uses at the Swiss Light Source SLS of PSI. She also supports external researchers who use her system to investigate magnetism.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Lea Caminada
“I am doing science because I am curious about the world around me. I like problem solving and figuring out new things. It is rewarding to contribute to scientific knowledge.”
Lea Caminada contributes to gaining new insights into the composition of matter. At PSI the particle physicist, who was recently awarded an Eccelenza Professorship by the Swiss National Science Foundation, focuses on constantly improving of one of the detectors of the LHC particle accelerator at CERN. At a rate of 40 million images per second, this detector records what happens when the accelerated particles collide with each other. Such knowledge can provide the foundation for future explanatory models of physics.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
“I am doing science because I am curious about the world around me. I like problem solving and figuring out new things. It is rewarding to contribute to scientific knowledge.”
Lea Caminada contributes to gaining new insights into the composition of matter. At PSI the particle physicist, who was recently awarded an Eccelenza Professorship by the Swiss National Science Foundation, focuses on constantly improving of one of the detectors of the LHC particle accelerator at CERN. At a rate of 40 million images per second, this detector records what happens when the accelerated particles collide with each other. Such knowledge can provide the foundation for future explanatory models of physics.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Emiliana Fabbri
“I believe that it is priceless having the opportunity of being satisfied and enthusiastic about your job! In addition, PSI supports equal opportunities and balance of work and family life.”
Emiliana Fabbri develops materials in the laboratory that could play a role in so-called electrolysers, efficiently splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity generated by the sun and wind. These materials should be cost-efficient, so that obtaining hydrogen can become economically attractive. Aiding in the analysis of materials is the Swiss Light Source SLS, which enables reaction processes to be observed with precision so that they can subsequently be optimised. Very soon, Fabbri hopes, she will have developed a material with a special composition that could make hydrogen even more interesting for long-term energy storage.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
“I believe that it is priceless having the opportunity of being satisfied and enthusiastic about your job! In addition, PSI supports equal opportunities and balance of work and family life.”
Emiliana Fabbri develops materials in the laboratory that could play a role in so-called electrolysers, efficiently splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity generated by the sun and wind. These materials should be cost-efficient, so that obtaining hydrogen can become economically attractive. Aiding in the analysis of materials is the Swiss Light Source SLS, which enables reaction processes to be observed with precision so that they can subsequently be optimised. Very soon, Fabbri hopes, she will have developed a material with a special composition that could make hydrogen even more interesting for long-term energy storage.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Anne Bonnin
"My advice to other young women and girls who want to pursue a career in science? Never give up, stay motivated, and don't hesitate to push the doors!"
Anne Bonnin is a physicist at the Swiss Light Source SLS. With synchrotron light, she can non-destructively render the inner structure of objects visible in extremely high resolution, down to a few micrometres. The interaction between synchrotron light and the object rotating in the beam makes it possible to produce a digital 3D image or sectional images. With this so-called microtomography method, she analyses, among other things, tissue samples from the heart. By doing so she is tracking down the causes of heart failure and cardiovascular diseases, a prerequisite for better treatments and even personalised therapies.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
"My advice to other young women and girls who want to pursue a career in science? Never give up, stay motivated, and don't hesitate to push the doors!"
Anne Bonnin is a physicist at the Swiss Light Source SLS. With synchrotron light, she can non-destructively render the inner structure of objects visible in extremely high resolution, down to a few micrometres. The interaction between synchrotron light and the object rotating in the beam makes it possible to produce a digital 3D image or sectional images. With this so-called microtomography method, she analyses, among other things, tissue samples from the heart. By doing so she is tracking down the causes of heart failure and cardiovascular diseases, a prerequisite for better treatments and even personalised therapies.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Anna Soter
At PSI’s muon source, Anna Soiter generates a novel beam of muonium atoms consisting mainly of antimatter. This beam allows researchers to analyse, among other things, the effect of gravity on elementary particles of antimatter and thereby make more precise comparisons between the properties of matter and antimatter. Fundamental knowledge gained in this way could be a starting point for new technologies. Her project is co-financed by the EU (PSI-FELLOW-II-3i/-MSCA COFUND 701647).
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
At PSI’s muon source, Anna Soiter generates a novel beam of muonium atoms consisting mainly of antimatter. This beam allows researchers to analyse, among other things, the effect of gravity on elementary particles of antimatter and thereby make more precise comparisons between the properties of matter and antimatter. Fundamental knowledge gained in this way could be a starting point for new technologies. Her project is co-financed by the EU (PSI-FELLOW-II-3i/-MSCA COFUND 701647).
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Daniela Kiselev
Daniela Kiselev ensures the best possible working conditions at the large research facilities of PSI, as well as their safe operation. She concentrates on the accelerator facilities: Here particles, electrons or protons, are accelerated. With their help, new particles including photons, neutrons, and muons can be generated. Kiselev’s goal is to enable a qualitatively optimal particle flow so that internal and external users can carry out their experiments efficiently, productively, and successfully.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Daniela Kiselev ensures the best possible working conditions at the large research facilities of PSI, as well as their safe operation. She concentrates on the accelerator facilities: Here particles, electrons or protons, are accelerated. With their help, new particles including photons, neutrons, and muons can be generated. Kiselev’s goal is to enable a qualitatively optimal particle flow so that internal and external users can carry out their experiments efficiently, productively, and successfully.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
Masako Yamada
At the large research facility SINQ, the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source, Masako Yamada is developing novel optics capable of directing more neutrons, and thus a more intense neutron beam, to samples being examined. For this the physicist exploits the neutrons’ wave-like properties, and she is using new materials to construct the optics. As a result, even extremely small samples – in the range of one cubic millimetre – can now be analysed, and the measurement data can be greatly improved. The properties of neutrons change within the sample. From these changes, researchers are able to draw conclusions about the sample’s internal structure.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
At the large research facility SINQ, the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source, Masako Yamada is developing novel optics capable of directing more neutrons, and thus a more intense neutron beam, to samples being examined. For this the physicist exploits the neutrons’ wave-like properties, and she is using new materials to construct the optics. As a result, even extremely small samples – in the range of one cubic millimetre – can now be analysed, and the measurement data can be greatly improved. The properties of neutrons change within the sample. From these changes, researchers are able to draw conclusions about the sample’s internal structure.
(Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)
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Further information
- PSI Action Plan Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Eawag Equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion
- Empa Equal Opportunities
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