Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet STORM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Energy use in information and computation technology (ICT) is growing unsustainably. The pandemic has further accelerated this trend: greenhouse gas emissions were lower in 2020 than in 2019 globally (due to overall decreased economic activity) but the increase in demand for digital connection translated in ICT using 8% of the world's electricity – a figure that keeps rising yearly. It is therefore imperative to reduce computing power consumption. Aim of this project is the functionalization of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for their use as channel layers in spin-orbit torque magnetic RAMs (SOT-MRAMs). Compared to current e-FLASH memories used in ICT, SOT-MRAMs require significantly lower operation voltage while having orders of magnitude higher endurance. To improve the efficiency of SOT-MRAMs beyond the state of the art, STORM will develop methods to maximize the TMDs valence-band spin-orbit splitting. A larger spin-orbit splitting translates in a larger torque exerted on an adjacent ferromagnet, thus reducing the current needed for the "writing" operation of the SOT-MRAM operation. After optimizing the channel layer, TMD/ferromagnet heterostructures will be realized and studied, to reproduce the assembly at the heart of SOT-MRAMS. Implemented at IMDEA Nanociencia under the supervision of A. Vazquez de Parga, STORM will allow the researcher to learn new materials growth (MBE) and analysis techniques (SR-ARPES). Interdisciplinary expertise will be developed during a secondment period at ALBA Synchrotron, under the supervision of P. Gargiani. A collaboration with an industrial partner (M. Drouard at Antaios) will strongly benefit the researcher's intersectoral communication skills. The exploitation and communication plan ensure impactful sharing of the results at multiple levels. Thanks to the transfer of knowledge between researcher and the hosting groups STORM is set to be a step towards the realization of low-power, technologically relevant devices.

Mots clés : molecular beam epitaxy scanning probe microscopy transition metal dichalcogenides sot mrams

Participants :
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 181152.96 €
- ALBA Synchrotron (Spain) (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet TI-MOF-TERA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Today, x-ray detection techniques are widely used in the homeland security, such as airport surveillance and custom activities, and in the medical diagnostics. However, x-rays are ionizing, can provoke cancer like diseases and, moreover, they are unable to detect fabric, plastic and concealed hazardous materials. The terahertz (THz) technology has a potential to solve these problems; however, mainly due to the low photon energy of THz waves, it is still difficult to accomplish high-speed and sensitive room temperature THz detection.  The proposed work aims to advance the THz detection technology by exploring exciting opto-electronic properties of topological insulators (TIs), metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and their interfaces. I will focus the research on the design and fabrication of heterojunctions consisting of TI thin films and semiconducting two-dimensional MOFs and on the optimization of their electronic properties and interaction strength with THz radiation. To address the enhancement of light-matter interaction in these novel devices I will vary the chemical composition of MOF layers, thus enabling the control of their crystalline order and of the coupling between organic and inorganic components. TIs surface properties will then enhance the charge carrier transport at the interface due to topological protection against the carrier scattering. These ingredients will allow tuning and optimization of the photocurrent generation upon absorption of THz photons, i.e. of the photodetection process.  The project will answer questions of the physical mechanisms of charge carrier transport in MOFs and at TI-MOF interfaces and of the key parameters for an enhancement of optoelectronic properties in Ti-MOF heterojunctions.

Mots clés : topological insulators, metal organic frameworks, terahertz spectroscopy, ultrafast spectroscopy, ultrafast photoconductivity of nanostructures

Participants :
- FZU  Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet GalaxyMergers (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

As galaxies are formed, to a large extent, by merging of smaller galaxies, knowing the merger history of the observed galaxies is crucial to understand their evolution as well as the evolution of the whole Universe. Galaxy mergers are slow processes, happening over millions of years and so the information about the merger history of any individual galaxy must be indirectly derived from its present-day state. Luckily, a significant portion of elliptical and lenticular galaxies show a unique type of fine structure known as stellar shells, which are created in mergers and can be used to date the last significant merger that the galaxy has undergone. We have already developed methods to extract such information from individual galaxies. Now we will expand the applicability of such methods to vastly larger samples. To this end, we will develop a set of self-contained tools to identify and analyze shell galaxies in images of large sky surveys, so that the estimates of merger times can be automatically obtained. We will apply those tools on existing data from current surveys and prepare for their application to the unprecedentedly large data set that will be produced by the Large Survey of Space and Time (LSST) at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will become operational around the time when the project concludes. This will transform shell galaxies from a position of curiosity to that of utility, allowing statistical applications using the merger data on the hundreds of shell galaxies that will be identified in the existing data and later on the thousands of galaxies eventually observed by the LSST project – a huge qualitative leap from the handful of galaxies with known merger histories available today. We will pioneer the use of this data by applying it for the benefit of LSST itself, where it will help optimize the observation time in search of transients by exploring the correlation of their occurrence with the merger histories of the host galaxies.

Mots clés : galactic evolution galactic interactions elliptical and lenticular galaxies peculiar galaxies numerical simulations tidal features deep imaging

Participants :
- FZU  Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet AAPP (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This interdisciplinary research project aims to construct a philosophical framework for understanding how ancient civilizations, particularly the residents of Pompeii, emotionally engaged with their past through material culture. Building upon theories from situated affectivity, cognitive science, philosophy of emotions, archaeology, philology, history, Roman law, and nostalgia studies, the project will use Pompeii as its main case study. Specifically, it will focus on the city's history between two catastrophes—the earthquake of 62 A.D. and the Vesuvius eruption of 79 A.D. Utilizing the principles of upcycling, affective scripts, and niche construction theory, the project explores how material culture influenced human cognition and emotions. Through a comprehensive examination of literature and historical texts, the research aims to identify and reconstruct affective scripts supported by material culture, offering new insights into the emotional experiences of ancient peoples. This project will not only refine current archaeological conceptualizations but also extend the application of situated affectivity theories in innovative ways. As an early-career researcher, I see this project as the next evolutionary step in my scholarly journey. Undertaking this research under the supervision of Prof Haug at Kiel University will enable me to deepen my expertise in archaeology and extend the boundaries of situated affectivity. Beyond technical expertise, this fellowship with Prof Haug at Kiel University will provide comprehensive training in soft skills like scientific communication, grant writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These skills will not only augment my research capabilities but also enhance my employability in both academia and public sector, especially museums and the Italian Ministry of Culture.

Mots clés : emotions, affectivity, pompeii, archeology, material engagement theory, situated affectivity, nostalgia, ancient civilisations, affective scripts, 4e cognition, 4e affectivity, affective niche

Participants :
- Université Christian Albrecht de Kiel (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet OncoFetal_Ploidy (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Can we study complex cancer biology by using a more predictable and structured model of embryogenesis? Many of the hallmarks of cancer biology are shared with the biology of embryos: sustained proliferation, migratory behavior, angiogenesis, immune system suppression, and in my opinion the most fascinating: the tolerance of genome instability.  Chromosome segregation errors and resulting aneuploidy are an important source of intratumor heterogeneity, therapy resistance, and metastasis in cancer. On the other hand, aneuploidy is detrimental during development. However, despite the detrimental effects of aneuploidy, most human pre-implantation embryos are mosaics of euploid and aneuploid cells, and the proportion of aneuploid cells is progressively depleted from embryos as the cell differentiation progresses from the blastocyst stage onwards. Therefore, could it be the undifferentiated state or de-differentiation of cells that might play a role in aneuploidy tolerance? Here I plan to study and compare aneuploidy tolerance during embryogenesis and in cancer, and investigate if differentiation and de-differentiation of cells play a role in this phenomenon. In the suggested experiments I will examine cells' response to chromosome segregation errors in human embryonic stem cell gastruloids (hESC), colorectal cancer organoids (CC), and normal colon organoids (NC) after aneuploidy induction with Msp1 inhibitor (+/- CENP-E inhibitors). Specifically, I will assess the cell proliferation rate, cell cycle progression and apoptosis with live-cell imaging, as well as transcriptional profiles using single-cell RNA-seq. Next, I will assess the same phenotypes after the addition of different growth factors that change the differentiation state of the cells. Ultimately, I would like to find the patterns shared between cancer cells and embryonic stem cells, which could be exploited for novel cancer therapies that would not be detrimental to somatic cells.

Mots clés : aneuploidy tolerance, chromosomal instability, cell cycle checkpoints, cell differentiation

Participants :
- Antoni van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 190374.32 €
- Institut de technologie de Californie (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MGCODE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The origin of the accelerated expansion of the Universe remains elusive. The so-called Dark Energy might be a manifestation of modified gravity at very large scales. While near-future observatories will improve the current bounds on such a possibility, they will not likely be conclusive as to its nature. An opportunity arises from the study of modifications of gravity at shorter scales, specifically around compact objects like black holes and neutron stars, recently made possible through gravitational-wave observations.  This project aims to dramatically improve the constraints on cosmological modifications of gravity by means of an interdisciplinary approach involving tools from High Energy Physics, and both astrophysical gravitational-wave and cosmological observations. Modified gravity dynamics at different scales can be described in a model-independent way as Effective Field Theories according to symmetry principles. Strong constraints will come from a combined theoretical and phenomenological study within this framework. Both analytical and numerical tools will be developed and employed to qualitatively and quantitatively compute the expected signatures on gravitational-wave astrophysics, allowing to hold these models against observations. The constraints will then be translated to the cosmological modifications of gravity, drawing novel conclusions as to which theories can consistently explain Dark Energy while satisfying bounds across a large range of scales.  Ultimately, this project will foster the collaboration among the High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics communities, enabling a much faster and efficient progress in the field of modified gravity in general. This includes a more focused use of the available computational resources for time-consuming resource-intensive tasks.  The multifaceted training and support received during the action and the competences acquired are aimed at the career development of the fellow.

Mots clés : modified gravity, effective field theory, black holes, gravitational waves

Participants :
- FZU  Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 155883.72 €
Projet RESOMFEM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The project proposes an innovative analysis of writings by women in Morocco published between the 1970s and the 2010s that deal with prison experiences during the period known as the Years of Lead (c. 1965-1999). The project’s general objective is to analyse how Moroccan women’s prison writings contribute to incorporating women’s participation in social and political issues in accounts about Moroccan history. The texts studies will include the different genres (testimonies, poetry, letters and fiction) and languages (Arabic and French) in which they are written. The project aims at localising and analysing the different texts of this thematic published by women in Morocco between the 1970s and the 2010s. Taking a feminist perspective, this project considers that prison writings by women can constitute examples of alternative history and contribute to the reconfiguration of social memory by bringing women’s experience to the centre and claiming their role in in the movement of political prisoners as structural rather than as exceptional or secondary. In addition, the project also intends to shift Moroccan women’s position from objects to producers of discourse to challenge orientalist constructions that prevail in hegemonic cultural perspective and to break stereotyped images about the “Moroccan woman” that portray them as passive rather than as active individuals.

Mots clés : contemporary arabic literature, moroccan literature, prison literature, women s writing, feminism

Participants :
- Université de Rome « La Sapienza » (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 188590.08 €
- Université de Barcelone (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MOBODS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is one of the most severe developmental epileptic disorders in children, characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures, developmental delay, and high risk of premature death. While approximately 80% of patients carry loss-of-function mutations in the SCN1A gene, clinical outcomes vary significantly, suggesting that other molecular and cellular factors influence disease manifestation. Although we know this mutation impairs inhibitory neuron function, it remains unclear 1) which other brain cell types are affected and 2) how these cells respond to the pathogenic environment by altering their genome regulation and cellular metabolism. MOBODS aims to map disrupted molecular pathways in DS at single-cell resolution, using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates brain organoid models, time-series multi-omics data, and computational methods. This research tackles three key challenges: identifying cell type-specific transcriptional changes, mapping gene regulatory network perturbations, and characterizing metabolic dysfunctions. By linking the genetic basis of DS with its clinical variability, these results can help develop in the long term more personalized therapies, particularly important as over 50% of DS patients are currently resistant to conventional treatments and require multiple anti-seizure medications. Furthermore, improved molecular characterization of DS symptoms can help reduce the stigma associated with epilepsy. Standardizing and validating the terminology used to describe symptoms can support patients in overcoming both interpersonal and institutional stigma, such as challenges in social interactions or discrimination in employment and insurance policies. Through this project, I will gain independence in experimental research, expertise in large-scale genetic studies, and leadership skills—all crucial for securing a tenure-track position in molecular and computational biology and effectively managing research resources.

Mots clés : multi omics, single cell analysis, brain organoids

Participants :
- Université de Barcelone (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 194074.56 €
Projet YoungFitT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In recent years, there has been an increase in mental health problems among university students. University life is socially complex and stressful, and young adults often exhibit low levels of physical activity. This poses a significant threat to the students' mental and physical health. What is urgently needed is a strategy to boost mental and physical health that can be easily accessed and integrated into a student's life. The first objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Tai Chi Chuang (TCC), and High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on the cognitive and mental health of university students and uncover potential mediators and moderators. This study intends to explore the effects of potential mediators on physical (physical activity and fitness status), mental (mindful thinking, sleep quality, and fatigue), and physiological stress (heart rate variability) levels. It will also examine the potential moderator effects of demographic factors (sex/gender, age, and educational level) and individual factors (cognitive reserve, intelligence quotient, personality) on intervention-induced changes in proposed outcomes. To achieve this, a three-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Considering that an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment can offer additional benefits and improve training adherence, the second objective will focus on exploring the feasibility and effectiveness of mind and body interventions using VR (MBSR-VR, TCC-VR, HIFT-VR) on the cognitive and mental health among university students. To do so, another randomized controlled trial will be undertaken. The results are expected to facilitate the development of targeted well-being strategies for individual students. YoungFitT aims to contribute to NU 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being through a multidisciplinary approach, combining sports science, computer science, and neuropsychology.

Mots clés : mind and body interventions, physical exercise, tai chi chuan, mental health, mindfulness, vr based interventions, psychological well being, university students, stressors, well being strategy

Participants :
- Université de Barcelone (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 181152.96 €
Projet GEPU (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The GEPU (Gender Equality and Populist Upsurge) research project delves into the interplay between gender equality, cultural dynamics, and electoral outcomes, focusing on the rise of populist radical right (PRR) parties in contemporary Western societies. Drawing from the "cultural backlash theory," it investigates whether the increasing gender equality, gender policies, and salience of gender issues have contributed to a cultural backlash affecting the electoral success of PRR parties. Spain and Italy serve as the primary research contexts, examining parties like Spain's Vox and Italy's Lega and Fratelli d’Italia. The project's central aim is to explore whether the presence of women in politics significantly influences electoral outcomes, specifically the rise in the vote shares of extreme-right parties. It seeks to establish a causal relationship between gender equality and PRR party support. Three specific research objectives guide the study: 1) Estimate the impact of electing a female mayor on extreme-right party vote shares, using a regression discontinuity design; 2) Assess the effect of increased female representation in municipal councils and government, leveraging gender quotas; 3) Conduct an online experiment to understand the influence of gender equality information on electoral support for PRR parties. The project addresses gaps in economic and political science literature, where gender equality's role in explaining the upsurge of extreme-right parties remains underexplored. It employs a multifaceted methodology, combining quasi-experimental econometric techniques and online experiments, with data from Italy and Spain. The study's findings promise to shed light on the intricate relationship between gender values, political movements, and societal change, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the cultural backlash phenomenon.

Mots clés : gender equality, gender quotas, cultural backlash, silent revolution, populism, far right, voting behaviour

Participants :
- Université de Barcelone (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165312.96 €