Francesca Ferlaino honored as "Austrian of the Year" in research

Honored by Die Presse, quantum physicist Francesca Ferlaino receives recognition for her pioneering research at IQOQI Innsbruck.

On a memorable evening at Vienna’s Austria 24 Gala, the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse celebrated exceptional individuals who have excelled in their respective fields over the past year. Among them was Francesca Ferlaino, a distinguished quantum physicist from Innsbruck, who was awarded “Austrian of the Year” in the Research category.

As part of Quantum Science Austria (quantA) and the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Ferlaino’s work has been instrumental in advancing atomic and experimental physics. Known for her pioneering research on ultracold quantum gases, Ferlaino has explored complex quantum phenomena, including new states of matter. Her team’s breakthrough discovery of the supersolid state of matter—a phase that exhibits properties of both solid and liquid—garnered international acclaim and advanced our understanding of quantum mechanics in ultracold conditions.

Born in Naples and working in Austria since 2006, Ferlaino has been dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment in the field of quantum science. This year, she launched a network aimed at encouraging more women to pursue careers in quantum physics, addressing the gender gap in the field and fostering the next generation of physicists.

At the Austria 24 Gala, Die Presse highlighted Ferlaino’s groundbreaking work and recognized her leadership, perseverance, and ability to bridge theory with practical advancements in physics. Competing for the award in the Research category, Ferlaino surpassed other accomplished finalists, including battery researcher Katja Fröhlich from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and food analyst Rudolf Krska from BOKU Vienna.

This year’s “Austrians of the Year” award series emphasized the achievements of female trailblazers, as Ferlaino joined an inspiring group of winners in other categories—all of whom were women for the first time in the award’s 21-year history. The evening marked a remarkable moment not only for Ferlaino but also for Austria’s scientific community, highlighting the strides that women have made in diverse fields across the country.

Quantum Science Austria is immensely proud to have Francesca Ferlaino on our Board of Directors, and we celebrate her latest achievement with deep appreciation for her contributions to both quantum research and the broader scientific community.

Congratulations to Francesca on this well-deserved recognition!

Francesca Ferlaino honored as "Austrian of the Year" in research - quantA : Quantum Science Austria
Francesca Ferlaino honored as "Austrian of the Year" in research - quantA : Quantum Science Austria