Adeline Garcia

Adeline Garcia is a post-doctoral researcher at the Physics of Ionic and Molecular Interactions laboratory (PIIM) of Aix-Marseille University and CNRS, specializing in astrochemical analysis of extraterrestrial materials. She was awarded the L'Oréal-UNESCO Young Talent Award for Women in Science 2024 for her innovative work on interstellar ice analogues and solar system formation.

Her academic journey began with medical studies before shifting to physics-chemistry and life chemistry, culminating in a top-ranked Master's degree in chemical and spectroscopic analysis. She completed her PhD in astrochemistry at PIIM, investigating the origin of life on Earth and matter evolution during solar system creation.

Dr. Garcia's research focuses on:

• Chemical processes in astrophysical environments using interstellar ice analogues
• Asymmetric photochemistry and chiral molecule formation in space
• Advanced analytical techniques for extraterrestrial sample analysis
• Molecular diversity in carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies
• Enantioselective amino acid detection via Orbitrap mass spectrometry
• Preparation methods for rare meteorite samples

Her publication record reveals a cohesive trajectory merging laboratory astrophysics with cutting-edge analytical chemistry, particularly in chiral molecule detection and prebiotic chemistry simulations. This interdisciplinary approach bridges astrochemistry, analytical instrumentation, and origins-of-life research.

Scientific recognition:

• L'Oréal-UNESCO Young Talent Award for Women in Science 2024

Currently supported by France's first disability-specific post-doctoral contract from the Amidex foundation, Dr. Garcia leverages her award to develop mentoring initiatives in Marseille's underserved communities. She actively participates in science communication through virtual laboratory tours and educational films.

As a core member of PIIM's ASTRO team, she collaborates with the Scientific Culture Unit and Mediterranean Virtual Reality Center on public engagement projects while advancing methodologies for future space mission sample analyses.