Susana Freitas, a professor at the Department of Physics at Instituto Superior Técnico and a researcher at INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), has been elected Vice-President of the European Magnetism Association (EMA).

This election, which is “particularly special” for the researcher as she has dedicated “her entire scientific career to the study of thin films applied to magnetic biosensors”, took place during the EMA General Council meeting, as part of the Joint European Magnetic Symposia 2025.

At Técnico and INESC MN, Susana Freitas has been working to integrate physics with the more technological fields of nanoelectronics and microtechnologies, focusing on the optimisation of magnetic thin films using ion beam deposition.

Her current research interests include the ion beam deposition of thin films on 200 mm wafers, spin-dependent tunnel junctions, non-volatile memories, magnetic multilayers, and the optimisation of thin films for biosensors and low magnetic field detection.

The professor believes that the position she will hold “highlights the academic and scientific excellence of the professors and researchers [at Técnico / INESC MN] and strengthens the link between teaching, research and collaboration with industry”.

“This recognition reinforces INESC MN’s position as an international benchmark and validates decades of excellent research that began in 1985 with Prof. Paulo Freitas”, adds the researcher.

EMA is an international non-profit organisation representing around 10,000 professionals in the field of magnetism in Europe, promoting research, education and collaboration across academia and industry.