Giuseppe Osteria | Cherenkov Camera in Space | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Applied Scientist

Dr. Giuseppe Osteria | Cherenkov Camera in Space | Research Excellence Award

Istituto Nazione di Fisica Nucleare | Italy

Dr. Giuseppe Osteria’s research focuses on advancing astroparticle physics with a strong emphasis on high-precision measurements of cosmic radiation using space-based and balloon-borne detectors. With a citation record of 19,296 citations, an h-index of 63, and an i10-index of 193 (with 5,131 citations, h-index 34, and i10-index 99 since 2020), his work has significantly shaped the field. Over the past 25 years, he has contributed extensively to major international experiments aimed at understanding the composition, origin, and propagation of cosmic rays, antimatter components, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena. His scientific contributions span the MACRO experiment, which provided foundational insights into atmospheric neutrinos and underground muon fluxes, as well as the MINISINGAO/ARGO and NOE/ICANOE projects investigating cosmic-ray interactions and neutrino behavior. A major portion of his career is linked to the WIZARD-PAMELA mission, where his leadership in time-of-flight systems, trigger development, and light-nuclei data analysis enabled groundbreaking results, including the discovery of anomalous positron abundance and precise measurements of proton, helium, electron, positron, and antiproton spectra. Dr. Osteria has also played central roles in the JEM-EUSO program, contributing to the advancement of space-based detection of extreme-energy cosmic rays and serving as an international data processor and operations manager for missions such as EUSO-Balloon, TA-EUSO, and MINI-EUSO. His work extends to next-generation missions—SPB2, PBR, CSES-Limadou, GAPS, and HERD-DMP—where he has overseen instrumentation, trigger electronics, calorimetry systems, and high-level data processing. Collectively, his research drives progress in cosmic-ray physics, antimatter studies, and multi-messenger astrophysics, positioning him as a leading contributor to space-borne astroparticle research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Adriani, O., Barbarino, G. C., Bazilevskaya, G. A., Bellotti, R., Boezio, M., et al. (2009). An anomalous positron abundance in cosmic rays with energies 1.5–100 GeV. Nature, 458(7238), 607–609.

  • Adriani, O., Barbarino, G. C., Bazilevskaya, G. A., Bellotti, R., Boezio, M., et al. (2011). PAMELA measurements of cosmic-ray proton and helium spectra. Science, 332(6025), 69–72.

  • Adriani, O., Barbarino, G. C., Bazilevskaya, G. A., Bellotti, R., Boezio, M., et al. (2010). PAMELA results on the cosmic-ray antiproton flux from 60 MeV to 180 GeV in kinetic energy. Physical Review Letters, 105(12), 121101.

  • Picozza, P., Galper, A. M., Castellini, G., Adriani, O., Altamura, F., Ambriola, M., … Barbarino, G. C. (2007). PAMELA–A payload for antimatter matter exploration and light-nuclei astrophysics. Astroparticle Physics, 27(4), 296–315.

  • Ambrosio, M., Antolini, R., Aramo, C., Auriemma, G., Baldini, A., Barbarino, G. C., … MACRO Collaboration. (1998). Measurement of the atmospheric neutrino-induced upgoing muon flux using MACRO. Physics Letters B, 434(3–4), 451–457.

Agata Kołodziejczyk | Microgravity Research | Best Paper Award

Published on by Applied Scientist

Dr. Agata Kołodziejczyk | Microgravity Research | Best Paper Award

AGH University of Kraków | Poland

Dr. Agata Maria Kołodziejczyk is a distinguished neurobiologist and space life sciences researcher whose interdisciplinary expertise integrates neurobiology, astrobiology, and space technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Stockholm and has since become a leading innovator in bioastronautics and analog space research. Currently, Dr. Agata Maria Kołodziejczyk leads the Bioastronautics Group–Habitat at the Faculty of Space Technologies, AGH University of Krakow, where she develops advanced laboratories focused on studying biological responses to microgravity, radiation, and other space-like conditions. Her research encompasses plant physiology under microgravity, microbial adaptation in stratospheric environments, the development of biomaterials such as bacterial cellulose for radiation shielding, and human physiological responses during simulated space missions. A recipient of the prestigious FNP Rojszczak Prize for combining biology with astronomy, she has also been recognized as a three-time first-prize winner in the Global Space Balloon Challenge for pioneering astrobiological experiments conducted in the stratosphere. Dr. Agata Maria Kołodziejczyk’s contributions include high-impact publications in Food Chemistry, Cellulose, Applied Sciences, and European Journal of Applied Physiology. Beyond academia, she is the founder and co-owner of the Analog Astronaut Training Center in Rzepiennik Strzyżewski—the first analog space base simulator in Poland—where she trains analog astronauts and space professionals. Through her visionary research and leadership, Dr. Agata Maria Kołodziejczyk is shaping the future of space biology, sustainable life-support systems, and human adaptation for long-duration missions beyond Earth.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Markiewicz, M., Galanty, A., Kołodziejczyk, A. M., Żmudzki, P., Prochownik, E., Zagrodzki, P., & Paśko, P. (2025). Bioactive compounds accumulation in Brassica sprouts grown under microgravity and darkness: A novel approach to functional foods. Food Chemistry, 145324.

  • Markiewicz, M., Galanty, A., Prochownik, E., Kołodziejczyk, A. M., & Paśko, P. (2025). Innovative production of bioactive white clover sprouts under microgravity: Towards functional foods supporting prostate health. Applied Sciences, 15(21), 11668.

  • Kołodziejczyk, A. M., Lewandowski, M., Nawrot, A., & Sobota, I. (2025). Polar stations as testing platforms for space analogue simulations: Case study for Polish potential. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 57(1).

  • Kołodziejczyk, A. M., Silarski, M., Kaczmarek, M., Harasymczuk, M., Dziedzic-Kocurek, K., & Uhl, T. (2024). Shielding properties of the kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose. Cellulose, 32(12), 1–15.

  • Giacon, T. A., Mrakic-Sposta, S., Bosco, G., Vezzoli, A., Dellanoce, C., Campisi, M., Narici, M., Paganini, M., Foing, B., Martinelli, M., & Kołodziejczyk, A. M. (2024). Environmental study and stress-related biomarkers modifications in a crew during analog astronaut mission EMMPOL 6. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 124(10), 2231–2245.