The entire academic community extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Marta Gianelli at this time of great sorrow. We share below the tribute written by Professor Barbara Milani, who supported her in the first steps of her research career.

Marta studied Chemistry at the University of Milan, where she graduated with top marks in February 2024. In September 2024 she won a research fellowship competition at the University of Trieste and, from the following month, joined the group of Professor Barbara Milani in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutics as a young research assistant.

Marta was a brilliant young researcher, full of enthusiasm and eager to continue her academic journey with a doctorate. In July she had been awarded a scholarship to pursue a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Trieste, but had decided to take up her doctoral studies at another European university and was in the middle of interviews in recent days.

Although at the very beginning of her post-graduate career, she contributed actively to the life of the group, with ideas and great initiative, and was immediately held in deep affection by us all. She often spoke about her projects and, even though we were able to share only a few months with her, I am certain that a bright future as a scientist and as a woman awaited her.