Science appointment

18 July 2008

Dr Cruz (pictured opposite) joined LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute in 2007, working with Professor Mike Bode on developing ASTRONET's 'Roadmap to the Stars'. This Roadmap will guide investment in European astronomical research over the next 20 years.

In her role as ASTRONET Project Research Assistant, Dr Cruz was the main contact for the Roadmap's scientific panels and working groups. As well as helping produce a first draft of the Roadmap, she was the lead organiser for the hugely successful ASTRONET Symposium, which took place in Liverpool in June 2008 and attracted close to 300 delegates from across Europe.

Professor Mike Bode, LJMU's Professor of Astrophysics, who has led the ASTRONET Road Map project since 2006, said: "Maria is extremely well organised and hard working. She also gets on very well with people at all levels and has been a joy to work with. Her quiet manner belies a determination to succeed. Although sorry to see her leave here, I was delighted to hear she had got this post. Working for Science, she will be keeping abreast of the frontier developments in the field and putting her talents to great use."

He continued: "The experience and knowledge she has gained of virtually the whole of European astronomy research will be a great advantage. There will undoubtedly be challenges in her new post, but having proved so successful in her current position, I have no doubt she will rise to these."

Dr Cruz added: "Working in close contact with the astronomical community to progress our subject in Europe has been tremendously rewarding but also quite demanding. I was lucky that taking up this challenge meant joining LJMU's ARI with its extremely friendly and stimulating environment. I couldn't have asked for a better base from which to conduct the ASTRONET work. During the Symposium, for example, the level of support from my colleagues and LJMU's Event Management Service was terrific and integral to the overall success of the event. I am sure that the skills I have picked up while working at LJMU will be of great value in my new job, where I will be liaising with an even wider community of scientists."

To read an article in Science Careers about Dr Cruz's appointment, click here: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/2008_07_11/caredit_a0800105/