A University of Aberdeen student has been honoured for her 'outstanding' research at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the Institute of Physics (IOP) in London.
Teodora Oniga, a PhD student, was shortlisted for the annual IOP Jocelyn Bell Burnell award in recognition of her research and public engagement work.
Teodora is nearing the end of a PhD in quantum and gravitational physics and has recently submitted her PhD thesis, which documents her research in quantum gravitational decoherence of light and matter.
It was for this work that she was one of four finalists to be shortlisted for the award, which is given each year to one outstanding early career female physicist in recognition of their dedication to research, outreach, public engagement and encouraging others to study physics.
While she did not win the award, Teodora was delighted to have been shortlisted alongside students from institutions including Oxford University and Imperial College.
She said: “Working in theoretical physics is often challenging, but it is very rewarding for my contribution to be recognised and I am grateful for having been shortlisted.
“The Jocelyn Bell Burnell prize is a great opportunity to showcase the achievements of young female physicists and I hope that my work can inspire more women to consider a career in physics and in particular, in theoretical physics.
“I would like to thank the staff in the department of physics at the University of Aberdeen, who have always been very supportive of me.”
Dr Heather Williams, chair of the IOP’s Women in Physics group, congratulated Teodora on her achievement.
She said: “Teodora’s exceptional dedication to her research deserves recognition, and her place in the final is testament to just how outstanding her efforts are, particularly when combined with the work she does in supporting others in her field.
“Celebrating the success of women in physics is crucial in not only encouraging those like Teodora, who achieve so much to be proud of what they do, but to highlight the outstanding work women are doing in physics every day and encourage others to follow them.
“I offer my warmest congratulations to Teodora for being shortlisted for this award, and look forward to following her future successes as she progresses throughout her career.”