Gražina Tautvaišienė - image credit: Gražina Tautvaišienė

In 2024, the European Physical Society released a calendar of inspiring physicists. Gina Gunaratnam, EPS communication coordinator and initator of the project, interviewed Gražina Tautvaišienė, president of the Lithuanian Physical Society. Professor Tautvaišienė works as an astrophysicist at the Vilnius University (VU) and is also vice-president of the International Union of Astronomy since December 2024.

How did you get to know the European Physical Society?

The European Physical Society is a well-known organisation  for all physicists. It cooperates with national physical societies to promote physics, to support physicists worldwide, and to foster international collaboration. My first encounter with EPS activities probably occurred in 2000 when the EGAS 32 conference was organised at our Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy in Lithuania.  I started to follow EPS activities more closely when I became a vice-president of the Lithuanian Physical Society in 2007.

Why is it important for you to be an EPS member and to participate in its activities?

International collaboration is very important for such a small country as Lithuania. EPS has divisions covering all main fields of physics. As EPS unites scientists from 42 National Physical Societies, it is an essential platform for developing international collaboration. Lithuanian scientists often need collaboration to access large international infrastructures like CERN, ESO, ITER, etc. Collaboration is also important in order to prepare large groundbreaking research projects, networking, and mobility.

We are very glad that quite many international conferences of EPS have been organised in Lithuania. We had the 14^th European Conference on Atoms, Molecules, and Photons (ECAMP) in 2022. This conference brought together atomic, molecular, and optical physics experts to discuss recent developments and research in the field. In 2024, we held the 11^th EPS-QEOD Conference “Europhoton”, where the latest developments in solid-state physics, optical cables and waveguides were presented. In 2025, we will host the 51^st EPS Conference on Plasma Physics.

An outstanding example of a close relationship with EPS was the inauguration of the Grotthuss Laboratory as the EPS Historic Site in Žeimelis, Lithuania. This is the first EPS Historic Site in the Baltic states.

What is the aim of the Lithuanian Physical Society and its main activities?

The Lithuanian Physical Society was established in 1963. The main goal of our society is to unite Lithuanian physicists, coordinate and support their activities in order to contribute to the development of physics research in Lithuania and take care of physics teaching in universities and other educational institutions. We organise the National Conferences on Physics every two years, which attract about 600 participants. Every year, we support the physics olympiad and summer school “Fotonas” of schoolchildren. We organise annual public events dedicated to e.g. Quantum Day and European Researchers Night. Various recent events marked the UNESCO International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. Now we prepare for the UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.     

Why did you study physics and become an astrophysicist?

I liked sciences that required logical thinking. Physics is exactly like that. However, physics is a very broad science, and I had to decide which field to turn to. And here, the decisive role was played by the meeting of the Lithuanian Astronomical Union at the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, which I attended after finishing the 10th grade. There, I won a place on the Lithuanian team for the meeting of young astronomers of the Soviet Union. Then my path to astronomy began. All summer, I studied astronomy at the Kaunas Public Library, studied constellations, and read various books. By the way, being a schoolchild, I really liked reading books, especially about scientists, politicians, and artists and how they lived and worked. The story of Marie Curie was very memorable. She was an inspiring role model for me.

Could you describe your current field of research?

Currently, together with my colleagues, I am working on improving methods for determining the age of stars. Knowing the age of stars is very important in many aspects. It is very important to know it in order to clarify the evolution of our and other galaxies, the evolution of stars, the characterization of exoplanets, etc. The period for such investigations is very favorable because NASA's TESS telescope is now orbiting in space and is providing important asteroseismic information for determining the stellar age. If robust seismic pulsations could be detected in all stars, there would be no problems in stellar age determinations. However, it is not possible to reliably record the pulsations of many stars, and other methods must be sought. Among these are the so-called chemical clocks - the abundance ratios of various chemical elements. The Science Council of Lithuania is funding our research “Chemical elements as clocks for determining the age of stars”. We are analysing the use of the abundance ratios of carbon and nitrogen and yttrium and magnesium chemical elements in order to determine the age of stars. Several other projects also are on the way, including the one on the investigation of planet-hosting stars.

What are the challenges of your field?

There are many challenges. As Lithuanian folk experience says - the deeper into the forest, the more trees... Much is expected in the field of exoplanet search and research. This is a relatively new field of research. Incredible planets are being discovered around other stars which are not found in our solar system. The question arises of how planets form and what their characteristics depend on. Several space telescopes have been launched into space and are planned for exoplanet research. As Vice President of the International Astronomical Union, I am entrusted with the coordination of space and ground-based research. Here, my experience in coordinating the Europlanet telescope network, which currently unites 17 observatories with medium-sized and small telescopes, will come in handy. Ground-based observations for space missions require a lot of time, and smaller telescopes are very suitable for this. I plan to significantly expand the Europlanet telescope network, which also includes the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory in Lithuania.

How would you encourage students to work in this field?

Lithuania, as a country with strong traditions in astronomy, opens up very wide opportunities for research and international cooperation. The first observatory in Lithuania was established back in 1753. The Vilnius University Astronomical Observatory is one of the oldest in Europe. At that time it had over 100 different instruments. Currently, the VU Molėtai Astronomical Observatory is also no less known. It operates the largest telescope in Northern Europe with modern instruments, and is recognized as a place for organising international schools for young astronomers.

International collaboration opens possibilities to accomplish indeed a very high level of research. E.g., the research team I am leading participated in the Gaia-ESO Public Survey, uniting more than 300 researchers. We obtained more than 300 observing nights on the 8,2-metre telescope of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).  Presently, we participate in several other large spectroscopic survey projects (4MOST on the 4.1-metre ESO VISTA telescope and WEAVE on the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope in the Canary Islands).

Education in physics and astrophysics also opens many other opportunities for a future professional career. Lithuania is nurturing an innovative ecosystem, particularly in deep-tech and quantum computing, giving physics graduates opportunities to be part of groundbreaking projects including space research. The Research Council of Lithuania is organising enjoyable student training visits to NASA science centers in the United States.

Do you think it is important to encourage girls to study physics? What would you tell them?

I think that girls have been underrepresented in physics due to societal biases. More and more amazing women are thriving in physics today. It is important to show them as role models to girls.  The EPS calendar of inspiring female physicists is playing this role perfectly.

The European Physical Society (EPS) is delighted to announce that the 2023 EPS Emmy Noether Distinction has been awarded to Lavinia Heisenberg and Gloria Platero. Congratulations!

 2023 EPS Emmy Noether Distinction - Mid-career

The EPS has decided to award the 2023 EPS Emmy Noether Distinction (mid-career) to Lavinia Heisenberg, professor at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Germany "for her fundamental contributions to gravitational physics and theoretical cosmology, for her engagement for women in science and her outstanding leadership".

Prof. Lavinia Heisenberg has achieved groundbreaking advancements in alternative gravitational theories, particularly in their cosmological applications. Her innovative geometrical studies have redefined the conventional understanding of General Relativity, offering new perspectives. More recently, she has made significant contributions to the study of black holes and gravitational waves.

She has been honoured with the prestigious Latsis Prize of ETH, the Buchalter Cosmology Prize, the Simons Emmy Noether Award of the Perimeter Institute, the Gustav-Hertz Prize of the German Physical Society, and the General Physics Prize of the Swiss Physical Society. She was also a finalist of the Art of Leadership Award (ALEA) 2023 of ETH and she is a recipient of ETH’s Diversity Award and the Empowering Women Award in Switzerland and more.

2023 EPS Emmy Noether Distinction - Full career

The EPS has decided to award the 2023 EPS Emmy Noether Distinction (full career) to Gloria Platero, research professor at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), "in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the theoretical understanding of out-of-equilibrium (Floquet) systems and their impactful application to quantum materials, for her excellent mentorship of young researchers and for tirelessly fostering female talent in physics."

Prof. Gloria Platero studied Physics at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)  and received her PhD in Condensed Matter Physics there in 1984. After working as assistant professor in Madrid, she did her postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for high magnetic fields in Grenoble and then joined the Materials Science Institute of Madrid first as a postdoc, then as staff researcher. She progressed to Director of the Condensed Matter Theory Department and  she was also Honorary Professor at the UAM.  She was involved in several EU networks and was invited for research stays in different  international research centers. From 2017 till 2021 she was  Mercator Fellow at the University of Regensburg. She is Fellow of the APS (Quantum Information Division) and Secretary of the C8 Commission (Semiconductors) of the IUPAP. She will become Chair on January 2025.

Along the years, she has investigated  time periodic driven systems (a topic known as Floquet Engineering).  Her research, in the field of Quantum Nanotechnologies, focuses on the theory of spin qubits in quantum dot arrays, their manipulation and the transfer of quantum information.

Recently, she also investigates the role of  the topological edge states in low dimensional topological insulators for the transfer of quantum information with high fidelity.

More info:

FLTR: Monika Ritsche-Martke, Petra Rudolf and Ilaria Zardo - image credit: Gina Gunaratnam

Petra Rudolf, chair of the EPS Equal Opportunities Committee, and Gina Gunaratnam, EPS communication coordinator, interviewed Ilaria Zardo [IZ], from the Department of Physics, University of Basel (CH), and Monika Ritsch-Marte [MRM], from the of the Institute of Biomedical Physics, Dept. of Physiology & Medical Physics, Medical University of Innsbruck (AT). They are laureates of the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction 2022.

Why did you choose physics?

IZ: I was interested in Greek, Latin and Philosophy. When I told my parents I wanted to study physics, it was a big surprise. Especially to my father who wondered why I had studied all these subjects to "end up" with sports (in Italian "physics" and "sports" is the same word).

MRM: I wanted to find a position in relation to Nature. I come from an academic family, so they encouraged me. But outside, I didn't get positive reactions. After having attended the Open Days in Innsbruck, I knew that I wanted to get a master's degree in sciences.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your career and what difficulties did you encounter?

MRM: It is nice to have recognition from the community but the most rewarding is when I do active research, when I get results and I understand things from Nature.

In the 80s', women had to face difficult times. There were aggressive attitudes.  My younger brother and my husband are also scientists and they were offered positions while I didn't get one.

IZ: The most rewarding is when I first finish a project. When I realise that I found something. When I have gone through all the paths to get where I want to go and I reach it, this is a rewarding moment. It is also beautiful to see the same way of thinking/development in people you work with.

Difficulties: We are trained to be scientists but not to deal with people. You have a strong contact with your colleagues. You need trust and faith. This is very challenging.

Recommendations to encourage diversity

IZ: I am extremely happy to have a very diverse group: different countries, different backgrounds. I was motivated by a colleague who told me that you gain much more from someone who is different from you, who will have another approach to a problem.

MRM: Quotas are important to get women involved [in research groups] and I don't care about being called "Quotenfrau" ("quota woman" in German). It shouldn't be the aim but is a necessary measure to have more women. If they can do the job, they should be given the chance. 

Career and family

MRM: I married a colleague! So there was competition between us. It is difficult to get everything you want once you have a family. I consider it a "fermionic principle ": either you choose the field of research you are interested or the place where you want to live. You cannot have the two at the same time. My advice: be determined but flexible. And ask yourself the following: What is something I cannot live without?

In my case, I changed fields: from theoretical physics, I switched to medical physics.

IZ: "I am not a hero!" I have three children and my husband is also a physicist working in industry. I would advise to not pay attention to judgement. When asked about children, you can answer that your husband is never asked about them.

More info

• EPS Emmy Noether Distinction
  
• EPS Emmy Noether Distinction 2022 for Ilaria Zardo and Monika Ritsch-Marte
• Monika Ritsch-Marte Research Group
  
• Ilaria Zardo Research Group and  announce on the website nanoscience.unibas.ch

The European Physical Society launched the Emmy Noether Distinction to recognize noteworthy women physicists who have a strong connection to Europe through their nationality or work.

Emmy Noether, with her fundamental and revolutionary work in the abstract algebra and on conservation laws in theoretical physics, is an exceptional historical figure for all generations - past, present and future - of physicists.

The laureates of the Emmy Noether Distinction are chosen for their capacity to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially encourage women to pursue a career in physics. Attribution criteria therefore focus on the candidate’s: 

• research achievements
• endeavours to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in physics
• coordination of projects and management activity
• service to the scientific community and research administration

Nominators are encouraged to address these four points in their proposal.

Commencing 2022, the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction for Women in Physics is to be awarded once a year, to two distinguished women physicists. Namely, the Emmy Noether Distinction will be awarded to an early- and mid–career laureate, as well as to a more advanced candidate, as a Distinction for her full career.

To make a nomination,  apply via this site or submit the following documents to the EPS Secretariat:

• A cover letter, detailing (in no more than 3 paragraphs) the motivation for awarding the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction to the nominee;

• The nominee’s name, institution and email

• The nominee’s CV

• The nominator’s name, institution, and email

• Optional: No more than 3 support letters 

Download the distinction charter

Read more about the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction on the EPS website

The European Physical Society launched the Emmy Noether Distinction to recognize noteworthy women physicists having a strong connection to Europe through their nationality or work.

Emmy Noether, with her fundamental and revolutionary work in the areas of abstract algebra and on the conservation laws in theoretical physics, is an exceptional historical figure for all generations - past, present and future - of physicists.

The laureates of the Emmy Noether Distinction are chosen for their capacity to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially encourage women to pursue a career in physics. Attribution criteria therefore focus on the candidate’s:

• research achievements
• endeavours in favour of gender equality and the empowerment of women in physics
• coordination of projects and management activity
• service to the scientific community and research administration

Nominators are encouraged to address these four points in their proposal.

Commencing 2022, the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction for Women in Physics is to be awarded once a year, to two distinguished women physicists. Namely, the Emmy Noether Distinction will be awarded to an early- and mid–career laureate, as well as to a more advanced candidate, as a Distinction for her full career.

To make a nomination, please email the following information to the EPS Secretariat:

• A cover letter, detailing (in no more than 3 paragraphs) the motivation for awarding the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction to the nominee;
• The nominee’s name, institution and email
• The nominee’s CV
• The nominator’s name, institution, and email
• Optional: No more than 3 support letters
  

Download the distinction charter 
Read more about the EPS Emmy Noether Distinction on the EPS website