The world of female researchers
In this section, PICO will collect different talks from female researchers, with a focus on young girls – aiming to encourage them to consider joining Physics-related occupations as adults.
- The leading actor of this first talk is Fabiola Giannotti, General Director of CERN, showcasing her experience in CERN during an event at the University of Thessaloniki.
- The second talk saw as leading actor Wanda Diaz Merced, a Puerto Rican astronomer known for using sonification to turn large data sets into audible sound.
- The third talk saw Dr. Tamara Vázquez-Schröder, a researcher specializing in particle physics at IFAE, giving a talk entitled “Go Above and Beyond (the Standard Model) with Particle Colliders”. The talk will also reflect on her experience as a woman in science and the importance of visibility and diversity in the field.
- The fourth talk was taken by Francesca Spagnuolo from EGO, who interviewed dr. Beatriz Garcia, a researcher at CONICET, the Argentinian National Scientific and Technical Research Council, and she works as task leader for education and outreach within the PEROCERO observatory collaboration.
- The fifth talk was held on 11 February 2026, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Pia Astone from the Virgo Collaboration shared her experience and reminded us that doing science is not about being a genius, but about curiosity, passion and commitment to others.
- Another talk took place on August 26, the President of the European Physical Society, Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (King’s College London) gave the inaugural 1-hour lecture to the high school students attending the 1st Balkan Summers School on Astronomy and Astrophysics, in Thessaloniki, Greece. More than 80 students attended the talk (of which more than 30 were girls). Prof. Sakellariadou presented a guided tour of early Universe cosmology and answered many questions by the students, acting as a female role model in one of the most prestigious scientific positions, worldwide.
- On the occasion of ESR, another talk was taken on September 26: the President of the European Physical Society, Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (King’s College London) gave a 1-hour lecture to a large audience attending the ERN25 at NOESIS center, in Thessaloniki, Greece. More than 30 young female participants attended, and Prof. Sakellariadou presented a guided tour of the Universe and answered many questions, acting as a female role model in one of the most prestigious scientific positions, worldwide.
- On November 25, 2025, Prof. Maria Charisi (Washington State University) discussed with 14 young female students in Thessaloniki about the role of women in science and the unique challenges for their professional careers. The interaction was very fruitful and the female students shared their own experiences as women pursuing a STEM degree. Prof. Charisi was awarded the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋’𝐎𝐑É𝐀𝐋-𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.
- On January 12, 2026, Dr. Thalia Traianou (Max-Planck-Institute Heidelberg) presented the talk “Discovering Wonders: Girls Who Changed Science” at two different high schools in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. The talk was attended by a total of more than 135 young female students. Dr. Traianou’s talk was a tour of female milestone contributions in science. There were many questions by the students, specifically about the challenges in pursuing a professional career in science. Dr. Traianou was awarded the 2025 Early Career Research and Leadership Award by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration.
- On Wednesday, 11 February, 2026, Prof. Samaya Nissanke gave an online presentation entitled “Navigating the Cosmos: My Journey and Reflections as a Woman in Astronomy”, on the occasion of the International Astronomical Union’s celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Astronomy! The presentation attracted a large audience on Youtube and was also live streamed on Zoom to 34 schools. More than 640 high school students attended (50% girls). Prof. Nissanke is a Lead Scientist at DESY and Head of Multi-Messenger Astrophysics at the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA), as well as a Professor at the University of Potsdam. She has received major honors and awards, including the AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division Mid-Career Prize (2024) and the New Horizon Prize in Physics (2019). Watch the recordings!
- This talk was taken on 4th February 2026 at NOA premises, starring Dr Alceste Bonanos (Research Director of NOA, PhD in Astrophysics at Harvard University). The speech was titled” 100 years of Stellar Atmosphere – The revolution of Cecilia Payne”, and attended by 90 Lyceum students, with around 50 female students.
