August 21, 2020

Guedes dos Santos in front of a NASA sign

Luiz Fernando Guedes dos Santos, a doctoral candidate in physics, was awarded the John Mather Nobel Scholar Award in July at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., where he was a research intern. 

“I feel honored to receive such an award. It is always good to have my project and work being recognized,” Guedes dos Santos said. “This award will help me build a more significant network and collaborations by financing conference travel. I am so grateful for this opportunity as I'm finishing my Ph.D., and collaborations are everything I need right now.”

Guedes dos Santos has been studying heliophysics with his advisor Teresa Nieves-Chinchilla, research associate in the Department of Physics. He is studying Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) to understand their internal structure. He uses machine learning techniques to study these phenomena. His work will illuminate the evolution of CMEs through the interplanetary medium.

“I didn't win this award alone. My workgroup, my advisors, and many collaborators are all part of this,” Guedes dos Santos said. “This is something Dr. John Mather highlighted in our meeting. He didn't win the Nobel Prize alone. Having a good network, great working peers and collaborators is more than crucial for the success of science and scientists.”

The John Mather Nobel Scholarship Program was established in 2008 by the John and Jane Mather Foundation for Science and the Arts. Selected students receive a $3,000 scientific travel grant over a two-year period toward the cost of presenting research papers at professional conferences. Recipients will also meet with Dr. John C. Mather, senior astrophysicist, Goddard fellow, and Nobel Prize recipient, along with other distinguished individuals.