Women in Research #LINO24: Giulia Lo Gerfo Morganti

Giulia from Italy is a PhD student at the ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, Spain.

Giulia’s research focuses on understanding the structure-function connection in materials used for renewable energy. In particular, she uses lasers to track in time and space how fast and how far energy can be transported in photosynthetic systems and semiconductors, aiming to improve light-to-energy conversion efficiency and guide the design of new artificial systems.

Giulia participated in the 73^rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Enjoy the interview with Giulia and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

I’ve been deeply fascinated by the “magic of Nature” since I was a child – wandering in the mountains, captivated by the beauty and complexity of the green universe around me, accompanied by a feeling of harmony and belonging. Reflecting on it now, it’s ironic how I was already using my eyes as microscopes, lying on the grass and observing Nature from as close as possible. However, the concrete decision to become a physical chemist came during high school. I can still remember my first day in class when Cinzia, my Chemistry Professor, affectionately called me “Giulietta,” drawing a parallel between me and her daughter due to our shared name and love for volleyball. In just a few moments, she broke my initial belief of high school as a formal and austere environment and turned it into a positive and warm place. She supported me through all my accomplishments, even turning one of her teaching hours into a celebration party – with pastries! – to commemorate my qualification for the National Olympiads of Biology. Cinzia passed away due to Leukemia during our final year of school. Before that, during one of her classes, I learned that an atom is composed of more than 99% empty space. I clearly remember touching my desk and perceiving that contact in an entirely new way, pondering how it was possible that – despite its emptiness – it felt so solid to my hand. What lay behind the green grass in the mountains then?

Who are your role models?

My mother certainly plays a big role here. Our relationship has not always been this great, but growing up and experiencing difficult moments together, I’ve realized what an amazing person she is. She has always emphasized the importance of education and ambition, yet she’s done so with a gentle touch, never imposing her expectations on me or my brother. She pursued her economic independence with determination but always kept kindness and family as her first values and priorities. Despite being aware of our male-dominated culture, she never surrendered to that mentality and decided to attend a job interview while four months pregnant – I could only imagine the face of the interviewer, watching her as if she were a fool. Altruism and independence. Presence and ambition. That’s what she teaches me every day.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

My curiosity for the unknown and passion for exploration have always been the driving forces in my life – scientifically and not. There’s a profound urge within me to experience firsthand what the world has to offer, enriching my awareness of how I want to live my life. And fortunately, I’ve been surrounded by people who encouraged that.

I was born and raised in Pisa, Italy, where I earned a fellowship to study at the highly competitive Scuola Normale Superiore. I was a theoretical chemist for my bachelor’s degree, but I felt the desire to engage in experimental work in order to apply theory to realistic problems. Scuola Normale Superiore has a solid theoretical background but lacks experimental opportunities in my field. Moreover, after spending 24 years in the same small city, I began to feel suffocated. I’ve always been curious about different ways of living, open-mindedness, and diverse cultures; experiences I found during solo backpacking trips but which I struggled to find in Pisa.

Thus, for scientific and personal reasons, I embraced the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ Traineeship programme for my Master’s thesis, which took me to Belgium for a few months. Personally and scientifically, I experienced more growth in those few months than I could have achieved in years of staying in the same place. Following that feeling, I decided to pursue a PhD in a different city.

Choosing where to go was a challenging and lengthy process. I lacked a mentor and a clear idea of my research topic, except for a desire to work in something between light and matter to contribute to a greener and more aware society. Seeking advice from older students and reaching out to professors led me to visit various research labs. These visits helped me to discern what I wanted and didn’t want in a research group. When I finally interviewed with Prof. Niek van Hulst at ICFO, I felt that I had found the perfect fit: an engaging project in photosynthesis research with ample resources, a close-knit and socially active group, and an environment known for its openness and multiculturalism.

Prof. van Hulst grounds his group on a culture of trust, freedom, and initiative. Despite an initial period of feeling adrift (a Covid lockdown at the very beginning of the PhD is not a good friend), I finally obtained my first results after two years. Supported by Niek, I participated in conferences and forged new collaborations, creating a positive cycle of growth.

This year, I embraced a temporary professorship position to teach at the University and won a research grant (MISTI Global Seed) to spend some months of my PhD as a visiting student at MIT in Cambridge, US. Now, in front of me lies the white paper of the conclusion of my PhD: should I stay in photosynthesis, or should I utilize my microscopy skills to introduce fresh perspectives into a new field, such as optogenetics? How can I bring my research out of my academic bubble? I’m confident that the Lindau Meeting will inspire me to choose which chapter to write next.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

I believe that my initial PhD project remains the coolest one of them all. The concept involves drawing inspiration from nature, specifically mimicking the 2D architecture of photosynthetic proteins. The goal is to reconstruct artificial networks of these proteins in the lab, experimenting with how a change in their spatial organization and structure can enhance their functionality. Due to its ambitious technical requirements, we are only now obtaining our first results after four years. My enthusiasm is so much fueled that I decided to feature it as the topic of my Next Gen Science talk!

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

At the very first conference I attended, in 2022. I was presenting my first PhD results with a poster, and my enthusiasm was overwhelming, considering that I had felt lost and discouraged for the previous two years. I poured my heart into my presentation, and – each morning – I rose at dawn, eager for another day of talks and discussions. Probably my enthusiasm infected others: a professor offered me a post-doc position, I established two new collaborations and even won the poster prize! Moreover, beyond professional gains, I met amazing fellows, one of whom has even become a dear friend now.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

My mornings start with a comforting breakfast routine: quick oats with nuts, fruit, and cold milk, alongside a steaming cappuccino. It’s the only constant in my day before I dive into the dynamic world of science.

I rise with the sun, between 6 am and 7.30 AM, and I like to ease into work by first handling emails and paperwork. I enjoy organizational work, and I also love writing! They both provide me with a sense of structure and control, unlike the unpredictability of experimental work – but that’s the funny side of science and life after all: both await your plans, only to disrupt them later on.

The remainder of the day varies a lot, and that’s one aspect I love about science. Lunchtime is usually teambuilding time, followed by a moment of relaxation in our cozy coffee room. To be honest, we rarely discuss science during these times, preferring to focus on personal connections, which ultimately makes scientific discussions easier when their time comes.

Evenings are reserved for self-care, allowing me to reconnect with my emotional side rather than the rational one. I read romances, watch introspective movies (Aronofsky <3), and write down my thoughts. I also value taking care of my body – the temple of my mind. After being a professional volleyball athlete for about 16 years, I had to give up team sports, which demand constant weekend presence and long-run commitment due to the scientific mobility required. Now, I mainly dedicate myself to functional training and yoga, which enhances my physical well-being and contributes to calmness, concentration, and self-awareness!

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I aim to be a perpetual learner, pushing myself slightly beyond my limits every single day. For me, it’s not about reaching a specific goal but about the trajectory and growth. I do wish to maintain a harmonious balance between three fundamental pillars:

Exploration: I am drawn to activities like research that challenge my problem-solving skills and offer daily doses of variety and excitement.

Societal Impact: I am committed to making a positive difference in the world, whether through outreach initiatives, volunteering efforts, or even involvement in policy-making organizations.

Building: I seek opportunities that provide stability and allow me to invest in long-term projects, both professionally and personally.

By aligning these pillars, I hope to create a career path that fulfills me and leaves a lasting impact on the people around me.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

I’m a nature and mountain lover. The key elements of my ideal holidays (and weekends) are discomfort and wilderness. You’d most likely find me with a tent, a sleeping bag, and a backpack on some hiking routes or bike-packing across different countries. It could be for a day or a month. Ideally, I’d have my wolf-dog Aylen with me, but it’s not always easy to bring around a 40kg wolf who’s scared of people!

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

Be proactive in creating your own opportunities; don’t wait for them to come to you. And most importantly, always try! When I applied for my university fellowship, some girls I considered incredibly clever decided not to even attempt the test for fear of failure. As I’ve grown older, I’ve seen people refrain from applying to job positions because they didn’t meet all the “necessary requirements.” Interestingly, many times, those who eventually secured these positions often didn’t meet all the criteria either.
Certainly, there will be times when you’ll try and won’t achieve what you aim for. But there is beauty in everything we experience; it’s just a matter of changing our perception.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

What a great question, and what a little answer I can try to give. In the realm of sustainability, the most significant transformations will likely originate from shifts in mentality and policy rather than groundbreaking scientific discoveries. However, science still holds cards to play. Natural sunlight is a superior energy resource, yet we have not fully unlocked its potential. Despite centuries of studies, photosynthesis remains a marvelously complex process that we are unable to understand and accurately replicate deeply. Take, for instance, artificial photosynthesis, which is still in its early stages and cannot yet be used in large-scale plants.
Yet.