17 Dec 2024
Dr Maria Lorena Richiusa awarded Monaco Fellowship
Oxford Thermofluids Institute alumna Dr Richiusa has been selected to take part in the Monaco/ITER Postdoctoral Fellowship, a prestigious international program, working closely with leading experts in fusion science and technology within a unique international setting
Following an agreement signed in 2008, the Principality of Monaco funds Postdoctoral Fellowships in science and technology at ITER. Five young scientists or engineers are selected every two years for two-year assignments, during which they work alongside ITER specialists and contribute to the project through original research. The research fellowships aim to develop excellence in research in fusion science and technology.
Dr Richiusa completed her DPhil project, entitled “Design, modelling and testing of high heat flux components for fusion devices” at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute (OTI), under the supervision of Prof Peter Ireland, in 2024.
As part of an international collaboration involving UKAEA and the EUROfusion consortium, Dr Richiusa has also been working in a team of experts supporting the design and assessment of limiters under extreme loading conditions, by means of both analyses and experiments. She also acted as Fusion Policy Advisor at the UK Department of Energy, Security, and Net-Zero (DESNZ).
Dr Richiusa: “As an engineer working on plasma-facing components, I think this is one of the most exciting and interesting times to get involved in such a big fusion technology challenge, as the ITER project is currently in its construction phase. Working within an international environment has always been my main driver for developing new research ideas by keeping the knowledge exchange dynamic and alive. I am proud of being selected among a huge pool of talented candidates, and I believe that this prestigious fellowship will add another important milestone to my personal and professional career path, opening up new exciting possibilities in the fusion field.”
Prof Peter Ireland, Director of the Oxford Thermofluids Institute, says, “We are very proud of Lorena’s achievements at the OTI and beyond. Her fellowship at the Monaco/ITER program is yet another testament of her capabilities. It’s very exciting to see our students being awarded for their ground-breaking research they began at our Institute”.
