LIP ECO/Andreia Pacheco | 31 Julho, 2026

"The LIP researcher was elected coordinator of the International Doctorate Network in Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, which brings together institutions from 40 countries across Europe and South America"

Nuno Castro, a LIP researcher and professor at the University of Minho’s School of Sciences, has been elected coordinator of the International Doctorate Network in Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology — IDPASC.

The election took place on 25 July in Natal, Brazil, during a meeting of the network’s Academic Council. At the same time, the city was also hosting the 15th IDPASC Summer School was also taking place in Natal at the time -the largest edition in the network’s history - bringing together around 60 students with support from LIP.

Nuno Castro will take up the role in January 2027, succeeding Bertrand Laforge of Sorbonne University, France. Gabriela Zaharias, from the University of Nova Gorica in Slovenia, was elected co-coordinator.

“After several years of involvement in IDPASC’s scientific and management bodies, I take on this challenge with a strong sense of responsibility. It is also recognition of the quality of Portuguese research in fundamental physics and of the ability of our institutions to lead international projects,” said Nuno Castro.

IDPASC aims to train new generations of researchers in particle physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology. Over the next two years, the new coordination team intends to strengthen joint doctoral programmes, international schools, mobility initiatives and collaboration between universities and major research laboratories, including CERN.

Created in 2009, IDPASC has already involved around 600 doctoral students and 500 researchers. LIP has been part of the network since its foundation. Nuno Castro will be the second Portuguese researcher to coordinate it, following Mário Pimenta, a LIP researcher and one of the network’s founders.