Project Result

 Chiara Montanari, born on September 23, 1974, in Pisa, is the first Italian woman to lead an international expedition to Antarctica. A graduate in engineering from Politecnico di Milano, she specializes in project management and complex systems. Montanari has led five scientific missions, including managing Antarctica’s Concordia station. She developed the 'Antarctic Mindset' leadership model, emphasizing adaptability and critical thinking. Montanari is also a motivational speaker, consultant, and author of Chronicles from the Ice, advocating for STEM and women's roles in science and technology. 

Clara Immerwahr (1870–1915) was a pioneering German chemist who opposed the use of science for military purposes. She earned her doctorate from the University of Breslau in 1900 and was one of the first women to attend university in Germany. In 1901, she married Fritz Haber, a chemist involved in developing chemical weapons during World War I. Clara publicly condemned this work as a "perversion of science," leading to personal and professional isolation. Her tragic suicide in 1915, after a dispute over chemical warfare, remains a poignant symbol of the ethical responsibility of scientists to humanity.

 Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) was an Austrian-American actress and inventor. Known for her Hollywood roles in films like Algiers (1938), she also co-developed a frequency-hopping communication system during World War II with composer George Antheil. This technology, designed to secure radio-controlled torpedoes, laid the groundwork for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Despite her scientific contributions being overlooked during her lifetime, Lamarr was honored with the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1997. She remains a symbol of both beauty and innovation. 

 Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was an American mathematician and NASA scientist who broke racial and gender barriers. Known for her crucial calculations, she ensured astronaut John Glenn's safe orbit in 1962 and contributed to the Apollo 11 moon landing. Johnson's work, highlighted in the film Hidden Figures, earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. She remains a symbol of perseverance and achievement in STEM. 

 Raquel Seruca, born in 1963 in Porto, Portugal, is a prominent scientist in oncology and molecular biology, known for her pioneering research on gastric cancer. She graduated in biology and earned a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Porto, focusing on genetic mutations related to the disease. As a principal investigator at IPATIMUP, her work has significantly advanced understanding of cell adhesion molecules, such as E-cadherin, and their role in gastric cancer progression. Seruca's research has identified key therapeutic targets for the disease and promoted personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles. She remains a leading figure in oncology, with numerous awards for her contributions to cancer research. 

 Samantha Cristoforetti, born on April 26, 1977, in Milan, Italy, is an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), a former Italian Air Force pilot, and the first Italian woman in space. She holds the record for the longest uninterrupted space flight by a European astronaut. Cristoforetti graduated in mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace propulsion from the Technical University of Munich and also studied in France and Russia. A former fighter pilot in the Italian Air Force, she was selected by ESA in 2009. In 2014-2015, she spent 199 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 42/43, conducting experiments across various fields and inspiring the public through her outreach efforts.