Uppsala Student of the Year studying space medicine in the US

Now in its 25th year, the scholarship aims to recognise academic excellence, curiosity and community engagement. This year’s prize is awarded to Josephine Maglio, born in 2000. She has a keen interest in space research and biotechnology, which she combines with determined efforts and impressive academic results.

“Her fine academic record, strong drive and dedicated efforts on behalf of the University’s engineering students make her an outstanding role model for other students. She is an excellent ambassador for Uppsala University and a well-deserved recipient of the scholarship,” the citation reads.

“It feels totally unreal, I was really surprised when I got the call. My involvement in student affairs has been one of the most fun things I’ve done during my education, so it feels great to be recognised for that,” says Maglio.

Chair of the SIV Network

Alongside her studies, she has been the chair of SIV, a network for female and non-binary engineering students at Uppsala University. The award citation highlights that as the leader of the organisation, she “has been a valued support to members and has shown opportunities in a male-dominated industry”.

“SIV is about showing opportunities for female and non-binary engineering students, and that is something I am really passionate about. The community we have matters, especially in the current global climate where women are suddenly starting to lose some of the rights we fought so hard for. Together we are stronger, and we can show young girls that they can do whatever they want, whether it is in engineering, science, or something completely different,” says Maglio.

Internship at NASA in the US

She is also interested in studying abroad and after a period of study in Canada, she was a study abroad ambassador at Uppsala University. She is currently working on her Master’s thesis in the US and has an internship at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California. The topic of her thesis is space medicine.

“I am researching how microgravity and space affect bone regeneration, by studying bones from mice that have been on the International Space Station. My work aims to understand how humans are affected by the space environment in order to improve astronauts’ bone health during prolonged stays in space,” she says.

In July, after a few exciting months on the other side of the Atlantic, she will be heading back home to Sweden.

“It’s been incredibly cool and so rewarding to be here for almost six months, and I have learnt so much. Even though it’s almost over, I still find it hard to grasp that I’m actually at NASA, and that I get to be involved in pioneering research.”

Recommends study abroad

Going on an exchange or doing an internship abroad is something she would certainly recommend to other students if the opportunity arises.

“You will grow as a person, perhaps learn a new language, and become independent in a completely different way. Apart from the fact that you are almost guaranteed to have a lot of fun and meet lots of new people, international experience is also attractive in the world of work. Uppsala University offers so many opportunities in terms of exchanges and internships abroad, and I really recommend all students to take advantage of them!”

What are your plans for the future?

“I will present my Master’s thesis at the end of August, and then we will see! My goal is to work in the space industry, in space medicine or astrobiology. But now after graduating, I think I’ll set aside some time for travelling before I start looking for a job in earnest.”

Annica Hulth