FWF has a dedicated program for women in science, called Elise Richter. She was the first woman who received the Habilitation at the University of Vienna and who eventually died after being deported during World War II. FWF has selected a project proposed by Dr. Lidia Pittarello to be funded starting 2016. In March 2016, an official ceremony in Vienna made the awarded projects public. This means Dr. Pittarello shall soon move to Vienna to start her new research position. She is scheduled to work at the University of Vienna from September 2016 until August 2019.
The project
The project that was selected deals with shock metamorphic effects on plagioclase, a common mineral in the Solar System, but generally of secondary interest for scientists in this field. Both naturally and experimentally shocked samples will be considered. Pittarello shall work with Prof. Rainer Abart (University of Vienna) for the petrologic interpretation and modelling of the observations and with Prof. Christian Koeberl (Natural History Museum of Vienna) for the implications in the impact cratering process. The project has been funded for three years, and includes the possibility to apply for the Habilitation, which is the title of university professor in German speaking countries.
Lidia Pittarello
Dr. Pittarello is a 36-year-old post-doctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel since 2013, as part of the research group for Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry (AMGC). She is a structural geologist, with a special focus on microstructures. Pittarello’s current field of expertise is shock metamorphism. Her duties include curation of Antarctic Meteorites, collected during Belgian-Japanese joint missions in Antarctica, and scientific research on meteorites and impact craters.
VUB
“The VUB offered a very positive environment, with top facilities, an international community of outstanding scientists willing to share their different expertise and background, and a well-established network of worldwide collaborations (e.g. with the Japanese National Institute of Polar Research). As an Italian, I was also impressed by the diffusion of English among the technical and administrative staff.”
The existing collaboration between the AMGC (VUB), led by Prof. Claeys and the corresponding group in Vienna will be further strengthened. This collaboration implies the share of analytical facilities, materials and expertise. Pittarello does not exclude returning to Brussels after her project in Vienna. As you can see in the above quote, she likes working at the VUB.