Giulia Fredi

Background

About Giulia Fredi

Materials engineer and non-tenure-track junior assistant professor (RTDa) at the University of Trento (Italy). My main research interests are: o the development of multifunctional polymer composites capable of absorbing and releasing heat in a certain temperature range; o the study of novel bioderived furan-based polymers, which represent a more sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based polyesters such as PET; o the production of polyamide 6 (PA6)- based composites through the anionic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam derived from chemical recycling In these 5+ years of research, combined with my background in Materials Engineering, I have developed: o Hard skills, such as a deep knowledge on reinforced/filled plastics, regarding their processing technologies, surface treatments, and the full microstructural, thermal and mechanical characterization, to profoundly understand the complex processing-(micro)structure-property relationship. I have also had he possibility to apply my knowledge, lateral thinking and problem solving skills to real and concrete industrial problems. Not only polymers, though. In my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Materials Engineering, both concluded cum laude and perfectly on time, I studied all the classes of materials (polymers, composites, metals, glasses and ceramics), focusing on their thermo-mechanical properties and traditional and innovative processing technologies. o Management skills, with which I have smoothly carried out my own research project and dealt with short- and long-term deadlines. I also learnt how to train other people and manage their work (Bachelor/Master students carrying out experimental thesis research). I have learnt to work independently, but actively looking for collaborations within and outside my Department. o Communication skills, to effectively communicate and disseminate my methods and results through technical reports, scientific publications on international journals, and speeches and posters at international conferences. I also understood how important it is to engage the society on the topics of science and technology, with the aim of increasing public trust and developing passion for science and research. I am actively involved in organizing didactic scientific laboratories and lectures in collaboration with the start-up Level Up and the project Trentino Young Scientist Challenge (TYSC). Two research periods abroad, in Sweden and Germany, have boosted my ability to work in an international environment and my adaptability to new work conditions.