LAAAMP Special Project awards

2025 LAAAMP Special Project awards 

The Lightsources for Africa, the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Pacific (LAAAMP) Executive Committee has awarded the 2025 Special Project Awards to Dr Gihan Kamel, Principal Scientist and Team Supervisor of the SESAME BM02-IR Beamline, and to Dr Kathleen Dollman, Beamline Scientist of the Structure of Materials Group at the ESRF.

The first award will support the training of three early-career women researchers through a month-long programme at SESAME starting in February 2026. Participants will receive hands-on training in advanced infrared spectromicroscopy techniques, equipping them with practical expertise to strengthen both regional and international research capacity. Applications are particularly encouraged from young women researchers pursuing Master’s or PhD studies in archaeology, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, or related fields. Priority will be given to those from the SESAME Members and Observers. The grant will cover round-trip economy air travel and transportation between the airport and SESAME. It will also include an allowance for meals. Accommodation at SESAME’s Guest House for the selected participants will be free of charge. This award reaffirms SESAME’s role as a centre of scientific excellence and international collaboration, equipping the next generation of women scientists with critical skills needed in their respective fields.

The second award will support two students, Lutendo Mukwevho and Enele Twala, from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of Witwatersrand for 2 months before the end of 2025 on the ESRF BM18 beamline for their project entitled, Unraveling Growth Dynamics Across Sauropsid Evolutionary Branches. The grant will pay for travel and living expenses for the students.