Curriculum Vitae

CV Summary

During my PhD, I addressed the controversy about the formation of thick disks, unveiling complex scenarios. I identified, for the first time in observations, signs of accretion in stellar populations of thick disks. This work had a significant impact on the community (Pinna et al. 2019a, b; 69 and 42 citations), and granted me to be the first early-career scientist to join the core team of the Fornax 3D collaboration. Being one of the leaders of the stellar-population efforts in Fornax 3D led to numerous other relevant papers (e.g., Martín-Navarro, Pinna et al., 2021). Additionally, during my PhD, I investigated dynamical-heating processes and their impact on disk thickening, and revealed a much more intricate scenario than previously claimed (e.g., Pinna et al., 2018; followed up by Walo et al. – incl. Pinna – 2021; Walo, Pinna et al., 2022).

As a postdoc in the Galactic Nuclei group of MPIA, I complemented my knowledge of galaxy evolution with the study of the centers of galaxies. My unique adaptive-optics assisted integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) survey of the nuclei of eleven galaxies, at parsec-scale resolution, uncovered a trend of NSC kinematic properties with galaxy morphology (Pinna et al., 2021). I later supervised the first JWST photometric analysis of an NSC (Hoyer, Pinna et al., 2022). My studies on galactic centers were followed up by the spectrophotometric decomposition and stellar-population analysis of NSCs in spiral galaxies, using IFS observations as part of the BEARD and PHANGS surveys, as part of my Marie Fellowship project.

At MPIA, I introduced a new independent research line on galactic disks, both taking advantage of my previous observational skills (Martig, Pinna et al., 2021; with BSc and MSc these later leading to Sattler, Pinna et al., 2023; Sattler, Pinna et al., 2024) but also expanding my expertise to cosmological simulations with an independent new project on thick disks in the AURIGA project (later leading to Pinna et al. 2024a; Pinna et al. 2024b).

My postdoc phase allowed me to acquire my research independence and establish a complementary bridge between observations and theory. This allows me to answer some puzzling questions regarding galaxy evolution and prepared me to lead my next MSCA project TraNSLate.

Professional & Scientific Trajectory: I started my professional career as a Mechanical Engineer (10/2002, University of Cagliari). I was funded by the European Commission (EC) for different projects and I exploited my leadership skills by putting together my own project via the EC Future Capital Program (10/2005 – 06/2006). I covered different (leadership-role) positions as a teacher and engineer. My scientific path started with a BSc in Physics at the UB (06/2014), where I was awarded two one-year collaboration grants. I was selected to spend my last year at the ULL, and for an external stage at the IAC. I was awarded a Summer Grant at the IAC in 2014 and worked as a telescope operator at Teide Observatory in 2015. I obtained my MSc degree in Astrophysics at the ULL (06/2016) and, before that, I obtained the prestigious “La Caixa-Severo Ochoa” grant to start my PhD at the IAC (10/2015). My PhD thesis was defended after three years, achieving the highest honors (“Sobresaliente cum laude”), and granting me a Postdoctoral Orientation Period (POP) contract. Then, I moved to MPIA (10/2019) for almost four years until I moved back to the IAC (08/2023) and started my MSCA Fellowship (09/2024).

Community activity & institutional responsibilities: I have published 57 refereed papers in high-impact (Q1) journals (12 as first or second author). I have led as PI and joined as Co-I numerous observing proposals with awarded telescope time (9 MUSE hours as P.I.). I have been an active member of five international collaborations (three are ongoing), in which I have been leading my own research. I currently co-coordinate two working groups and actively participate in scientific and organizational discussions and co-authoring. I have supervised (as main advisor) one MSc thesis, three BSc theses (one ongoing), and two Summer Projects, and co-supervised one MSc and one PhD theses (ongoing) and one Summer Project. I have been part of four mentoring programs, both as mentor and mentee, mentoring one MSc and one BSc international students. I am currently setting up a mentoring program for BSc and MSc female students at the University of la Laguna.

I am referee in the peer-review process for Q1 journals (A&A, MNRAS, ApJ), have been member of PhD-theses and hiring committees, and organized five conferences (chaired one SOC). I took the role of Equal Opportunity Officer at MPIA for two years. My commitment as Equal Opportunity Officer at MPIA, including many responsibilities (e.g., drawing up the current MPIA gender equality plan), was recognized with two MPIA performance bonuses. I am currently deeply involved in equal opportunity matters at the IAC.

Funding, communication and dissemination: I have secured 181k€ for a MSCA European Fellowship, and about 130k€ of funding in grants and visiting programs (plus my salary and internal funding), as well as 520 hours of observations with proposals for the most competitive instruments (equivalent to more than 3 M€ worth). I have presented my work at 22 conferences, seminars or colloquia (nine invited). I have been very active in outreach activities (as speaker and organizer), with the purpose of disseminating my work but also increasing social engagement in astrophysics, increasing the visibility of women in science, and breaking gender stereotypes.