The fellowship, worth EUR 5,000, was awarded to her in recognition of her scientific achievements so far and as support for the further development of her career. This year, the programme carries particular significance as it marks 20 years of activity in Croatia, during which 78 young female scientists in the final stage of preparing their doctoral dissertations have been recognised. Within this distinguished line of recipients, Mia’s award also speaks to the continuity of excellence among young women researchers whose work is already shaping fields important for future technologies.
Mia Mesić is preparing her dissertation under the supervision of Dr Lidija Androš Dubraja. Her research focuses on the preparation and properties of thin films of molecular ferroelectrics based on bicyclic amines. More precisely, these are new, sustainable materials that can be deposited as thin films and, thanks to their exceptional electrical properties, have potential applications in future microelectronic devices and memory systems.
This research lies at the intersection of chemistry, physics and technology. Mia’s dissertation is focused on the development of new lead-free organic–inorganic ferroelectrics, with simpler preparation methods, that could contribute to gradual technological advances in electronics. A particularly important part of the research concerns molecular thin films of ferroelectrics, whose structure, morphology and crystal growth determine their functional properties.
“This award is extremely important to me because it confirms that dedication and hard work are recognised. At the same time, I see it as a recognition of everyone who supports me every day and accompanies me on this journey,” said Mia Mesić.
Her scientific path began in Pula, continued at the Faculty of Science of the University of Zagreb, and since 2023 has been linked to the Ruđer Bošković Institute. Already during her studies, she distinguished herself through her scientific work, for which she received the Rector’s Award and the Annual Award of the Faculty of Science. She has also been involved in the popularisation of science and participated in teaching, thereby connecting research, education and science communication from the very beginning of her academic career.
To date, she has authored five scientific papers as first author, completed several international training stays, including at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Jožef Stefan Institute, and presented her work at 14 conferences. Alongside her research, she continuously participates in practical laboratory teaching at the Faculty of Science. She is also active in the academic community as a member of the Council of the Doctoral Study Programme in Chemistry at the Faculty of Science and the Council of the Division of Materials Chemistry at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. Since 2025, she has also been collaborating with the Agency for Science and Higher Education.
This fellowship is not only a recognition of one young scientist, but also a reminder of the importance of making visible the women for whom science represents a path towards a better future — one that still needs to be carefully built, layer by layer.
