Blog

Stephanie Buttigieg
Stephanie is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, where she investigates the merger processes of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) within cosmological simulations. Her work aims to refine our understanding of these phenomena, contributing to more accurate predictions for future gravitational wave detections and shedding light on the evolution of SMBHs over cosmic time. Stephanie graduated with first-class honours in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Malta and earned an MASt in Astrophysics with distinction from the University of Cambridge. Beyond her research, she is dedicated to improving representation of women in STEM fields and is passionate about making astronomy accessible and captivating for diverse audiences. She actively shares her journey and insights as a young woman in academia through public talks and her Instagram account @sipping_cosmos.

Catherine Cutajar
Catherine is a Physics A-level teacher at St. Martin’s College 6th Form, where she is dedicated to fostering a love for science in young minds. She holds a B.Ed (Hons) in Mathematics and Physics, as well as an M.Ed in Science Education with a specialization in Physics. Passionate about the advancement of women in science, she has lectured part-time at the Faculty of Education and recently participated in a two-week programme at CERN. With a focus on empowering girls in science, Catherine is committed to encouraging more female students to pursue and thrive in scientific careers, helping to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for the next generation of female scientists.

Susannah Farrugia is a marine conservationist working in the consultancy department at AIS Environment. Susannah completed her masters in Marine Conservation at the University of Aberdeen Scotland in 2023 where she specialised on the impacts of offshore wind farms on harbour porpoise foraging behaviour and their prey. Following her degree, she secured an internship with one of Edinburgh’s leading offshore wind developers, where she deepened her expertise in the field of renewable energy and its interaction with marine ecosystems. Driven by her passion for the ocean, Susannah also serves as a hub leader for Sustainable Ocean Alliance Malta, a youth-led voluntary organization advocating for ocean conservation. Whether through her professional work or her personal endeavors, Susannah remains deeply connected to the ocean, appreciating its beauty while striving to protect its future.

Professor Sammut was appointed Pro-Rector for Student & Staff Affairs and Outreach at the University of Malta in 2016. Her responsibilities include implementing the University’s Strategy for societal impact and chairing the University’s Equity Committee, which is responsible for the Gender+Equity Plan. She also chairs the Access Disability Support Committee, the Institute for European Studies, and the International School for Foundation Studies. In her role, she serves on the University Senate and Council. Prof. Sammut holds teaching positions in the Department of Media and Communications and the Department of International Relations, where she previously served as Head. Her academic background includes a PhD in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London, with research, publications and teaching interests that span journalism, international communications, political communication, and gender studies. From 2017 to 2020, she led a committee that introduced affirmative measures, leading to constitutional changes and a Gender Corrective Mechanism for increased female parliamentary representation. Currently, she’s developing a similar mechanism for local councils.

Sarah Mifsud
Sarah Mifsud is a Research Support Officer (RSO) at the University of Malta, where she is pursuing a PhD with the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering department, focusing on process optimisation and quality improvement in injection moulding. A First-Class Honours graduate in Mechanical Engineering, she has bypassed a master’s degree to advance directly to her doctoral research. She is also a member of the Engineering Faculty’s Public Relations Committee, working to inspire young children to explore engineering through engaging outreach initiatives. Her role as an RSO involves bridging academic research with practical industry applications, and she has also lectured a unit closely related to her research, allowing her to apply her growing knowledge while fostering an environment of learning and collaboration. Recently appointed as an SDG Champion for Digitalisation and Smart Innovation, Sarah is dedicated to advancing sustainable development in Malta through education, innovation, and impactful initiatives.

Liliana is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Malta. Passionate about science education, she has actively represented the Mathematics and Physics departments in various outreach initiatives, from organizing science forums to engaging students in STEM through university-led events. Currently, she is an intern contributing articles to PRISM, Malta’s first quantum communications network, helping to promote the project and inform the public about its efforts and impact. With a growing interest in quantum technology, Liliana has expanded her knowledge by attending a quantum communication summer school and participating in various related events.