Ask Women – On Space
Change the narrative with the women experts from the European databases of the ENWE network.
Dear reader,
Greetings!
And welcome to another issue of Ask Women. This monthly newsletter is brought to you by us at the European Network for Women Excellence (ENWE) in collaboration with the women experts’ databases in our network, which include 100esperte, AcademiaNet, Agenda d’Expertes, Expertalia, and Les Expertes.
In recent exciting news, we were featured on the Italian website of Professione Reporter. Click here to read the article and learn more about our mission.
This Edition’s Theme:
World Space Week
This October issue is connected to World Space Week, which falls from today, Wednesday, October 4, to Tuesday, October 10, and this year is themed around “Space and Entrepreneurship”.
About the theme
The annual World Space Week event, now the largest of its kind, celebrates the immense contributions of space science and technology in enhancing the human experience.
Meet the experts
We are presenting different astrophysicists, astronomers, engineers, space law and security experts, and researchers who are available for interviews, panel discussions, events, and other opportunities.
You can find their profiles and contacts below.
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Please note:
you may have to change the language setting to ENG at the top right of the 100esperte website to view the profiles in English language.
MARIA CRISTINA DE SANCTIS
Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) focusing on minor bodies & planetary surfaces in the solar system, thermal evolution of solar bodies, and space mission instrumentation. She runs a lab specializing in spectral measurements of meteorites and planetary analogs.
SIMONETTA DI PIPPO
Professor of Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab (SEE Lab) at the Bocconi School of Management, Milan. Expert in space exploration, universe observation, peaceful space use, tech for sustainable development & disaster risk reduction.
SANDRA SAVAGLIO
Professor of Astrophysics, University of Calabria. Main research interests: observational cosmology, universe's chemical enrichment & explosive phenomena, especially distant galaxies. Vice President of the Science Council of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF).
STEFANIA TARQUINI
CO2M Operations Preparation Manager at EUMETSAT, specializing in Low Earth Orbit satellites for Earth Observation. Leads EUMETSAT teams for the Copernicus CO2M mission, a satellite constellation launching in 2026 to monitor anthropogenic carbon dioxide.
ERSILIA VAUDO SCARPETTA
Chief Diversity Officer at European Space Agency (ESA). During her career, supported ESA's first exploration program, Science & Human Spaceflight activities, and experiments selection for ExoMars. Former Deputy Head, ESA Office in Washington DC, managing relations with NASA.
MARÍA DOLORES CABALLERO GARCIA
María Dolores Caballero Garcia researches astronomy and astrophysics, particularly X-ray astronomy at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC). Her research interests also lie in super-massive black holes, space instrumentation and relativistic effects.
Contact nowPAOLA CASELLI
Professor at the Max Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. Among others she specializes in star and planet formation and aims to connect the various phases of formation with the help of detailed observation and comprehensive chemo-dynamical models.
Contact nowDIANE FEUILLET
Researcher at the Lund University focusing on astronomy, Milky Way stellar population, galaxy evolution and stellar spectroscopy. She aims to understand how the Milky Way and our local universe came to look they way they do now.
Contact now
YAËL NAZÉ
An FNRS astrophysicist at the University of Liège, Nazé studies very massive stars and their interactions. In addition to her scientific work and teaching, she promotes science through events and writings, winning numerous awards.
Contact nowVIVIANE PIERRARD
A researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy focusing on solar wind, auroras, radiation belts, the plasmasphere, and space weather – which deals with ambient plasma, magnetic fields, radiation and particle flows in space, and how these can affect man-made systems.
Contact nowVALÉRIE VAN GROOTEL
The Belgian astronomer and astrophysicist specializes in stars and exoplanets. An engineer by profession, she also has a keen interest in space technology, particularly astrophysics. She is also very interested in current energy and climate issues.
Contact now
LAETITIA CESARI
Space law, telecommunications, cyber, and space security specialist. Lawyer at De Gaulle Fleurance, Paris, focusing on legal, economic, and geopolitical space strategy. Formerly worked in Geneva & Brussels on European/international space connectivity and cyber security.
Contact nowALINE DECADI
European Space Agency Launch System Engineer. Currently focused on the future Ariane 6 launcher development, with expertise in system safety. Passionate about space exploration, she is actively involved in Mars analog missions and contributes to developing safety and transport systems in Europe.
Contact now
ENWE is committed to fostering dialogue, promoting diversity, and amplifying the voices of women experts across Europe. With Ask Women, we aim to showcase the incredible achievements and insights of these talented professionals, helping to bridge the gender gap in the media and beyond.
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