Prestigious Award for ICTP Diploma Alumnus

Mayly Sanchez, a 1996 graduate of ICTP's Postgraduate Diploma Programme, has been honoured with the 2011 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers  (PECASE).  PECASE is considered the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Sanchez, who is an assistant professor at Iowa State University and holds a joint appointment with the Argonne National Laboratory, works in the field of neutrino physics. The PECASE recognises her "contributions to the detection and study of neutrinos and their role in some of the most fundamental problems in physics, and for reaching out to potential women science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and exciting them about opportunities in the STEM fields, in particular physics and astronomy."

Sanchez obtained her BS in Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela, and went on to get a PhD from Tufts University after the one-year ICTP Postgraduate Diploma Programme in high energy physics. She has fond memories of her time at ICTP and credits the Centre for having an important influence on her career.

"The ICTP diploma experience is very unique," said Sanchez, "The courses were very challenging and taught by excellent professors. They are certainly some of the most advances courses that I took as part of my post-graduate studies." Sanchez studied with ICTP scientist Goran Senjanovic, who she described as "a fantastic person to work with and an excellent mentor."

In addition to its quality academics, Sanchez says ICTP's additional strength is its environment as an international crossroad. "The experience of sharing the learning with such a diverse and international group of people who, like you, are exploring their love and passion for physics is what really makes ICTP unique. I hope that many students continue to have that experience," she says.

More details about the award can be obtained from the National Science Foundation news release.