In 2020, Laura started her PhD, and has since become an important part of the group, strengthening collaborations between theory, observation and experiment and as a great guide and role model.

During her PhD studies, Laura investigated the interplay between carbonaceous dust grains, their icy mantles, and radiation under conditions mimicking those of the interstellar medium. In dense interstellar clouds, microscopic dust grains and the icy mantles that cover them at low temperatures provide surfaces on which complex organic molecules can form, including the molecular building blocks of life. Such clouds evolve into new stellar and planetary systems, inheriting some of the material and complex molecules formed in the pre-stellar phases.

Laura studied various interactions of dust grains and molecules in the laboratory, using vacuum chambers and conditions that mimic those found in interstellar space. The new research findings contribute to our understanding of the interstellar evolution of dust grains and their icy mantles, and the formation of complex organic molecules. Laura’s research has involved research conducted at the FELIX free electron laser at the HFML-FELIX facility in Nijmegen, The Netherlands and the Star Dust facility in Madrid, Spain.

Laura enjoys outreach, frequently gives public lectures and has been an essential part of our booth at the annual Forskningens Døgn. She has already published papers, and has several on the way.

Congratulations Laura and well done. We are very happy that you are continuing with InterCat.