Anita Girelli, Postdoc and part of SDAQS, Chemical Division, Fysikum. Photo: Gunilla Häggström

This changed during her studies at the University of Trento (Italy), where her passion for physics started to grow. After her Bachelor’s degree, she joined a double degree Master’s program involving the universities of Trento and Tübingen (Germany). Afterwards, she obtained a Ph.D. in physics at the University of Tübingen. During this time, she first met Foivos Perakis in a collaboration for an experiment on protein dynamics at the European Free Electron laser in Hamburg (Germany).

Collaboration with Foivos was the path to research in Sweden

During her Ph.D., Anita participated in a large collaboration on protein dynamics which also included Foivos Perakis. The two worked together during experiments in Hamburg.
"Foivos’s group was organizing the project I was responsible for samples and together we measured the diffusion of antibodies in highly concentrated solution. It was really exciting! Since 2022, I am part of Foivos’ research group ‘Structural dynamics of aqueous solutions (SDAQS).It is great working with him, he gives me a lot of structure, but he is also always ready to listen to and discuss new ideas, so I really have the freedom to pursue my own research ideas."

The Postdoc Fellowship from MSCA is funding research about hidden sctructures in protein crystallization

In 2023, Anita Girelli applied for a postdoc fellowship from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (European Commission), which she received in 2024. The application process was quite long. They receive 8,039 applications, of which 7,181 are for the European fellowship. Specifically for physics, there were 808 applications in the competition for funding.
"Over the period of two years, I will research the diffusion of ferritin and how it affects the protein crystallization process. The goal of the project is to have a better understanding of the pathways of protein crystallization and the role of water in this. This knowledge can then be used, for example, by crystallographers to produce crystals to obtain 3D images of the proteins."
Anita plans to pursue a scientific career in academia and can imagine to stay in Stockholm even after the fellowship ends. 

"I will stay in research and work with other projects afterwards. I do enjoy being part of Foivos research group at the Chemical Division of Fysikum, and my wife and I really like living in Stockholm."

Anita's recommendations for physics students

"Research is a lot of fun but also a lot of effort. I think it's worth it! I like working in interdisciplinary teams where you can learn from each other and I have found my passion with proteins and the physics of biology. I think, that is the really important thing: finding your passion and ways to pursue it."

More information

Courses and Programmes in Physics at Fysikum, Stockholm University

Resolving molecular diffusion and aggregation of antibody proteins with megahertz X-ray free-electron laser pulses, Nature

Uncovering hidden structures in protein crystallization with coherent X-rays, European Commission
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023