L. Arruda

L Arruda graduated in Physics from the Faculty of Sciences of University of Lisbon in 2000 and completed a Master degree in Physics from Instituto Superior Técnico from Technical University of Lisbon in 2003 with the specialization in Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Nuclear Physics. L Arruda's master thesis introduced a new design concept for the RICH (Ring Imaging Cherenkov) radiator of the AMS-02 experiment (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer) supported by Monte Carlo simulation of the light isotopes detection. The dual composition of this radiator (aerogel/sodium fluoride) was accepted by the AMS-02 collaboration and implemented in the final design of the RICH radiator that is installed in the International Space Station since May 2011. L Arruda completed her PhD in Physics from Instituto Superior Técnico from Technical University of Lisbon in January 2008. Her thesis compiled a detailed analysis of the beam tests performed with a RICH prototype at CERN that allowed to validate the detector design concept and test the reconstruction algorithms for charge and velocity of cosmic-ray particles.The excellent contributions of the candidate, under the supervision of her PhD thesis advisor Prof. Fernando Barão, have determined several decisions affecting the final design of the Ring Imaging Cerenkov for the experiment. Her contributions to the offline software development and data analysis at different stages of the project yielded prompt response to many questions raised in the design, construction and commissioning phases. Her technical skills and physical insights have been highly appreciated throughout the duration of the project. L Arruda worked as a Post-Doc researcher in GAW experiment (Gamma Air Watch) which is a "path-finder" experiment to test the feasibility of a new generation of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, which join high flux sensitivity with large field of view capability. She was responsible for the offline software for data and simulation analysis. In the last three years she has been working in AMS-02 cosmic data analysis, a work developed within the international collaboration headed by the Nobel Laureate Samuel Ting. Last April, the most precise measurement to date of the ratio of positrons to electrons in cosmic rays was published. Measurements of this key ratio may eventually provide the world with our first glimpse into dark matter. L Arruda gave an active contribution to this measurement in the low energy regime (<10 GeV). Since obtaining her PhD degree, and since she is working in collaborations with large number of people, she is co-author of 61 papers published in the top international peer review journals with an accumulated impact factor of 20. She has presented more than 50 communications in scientific meetings with published proceedings. In all articles exists direct contribution of her work on physical data analysis and indirect participation of either resulting from activities on detectors control and monitoring and/or resulting from developments related to event reconstruction and control of experimental data taking. Recently she started working in an ESA project for data analysis of MFS (Multi-Functional Spectrometer), a radiation monitor. Since her graduation, L Arruda was co-supervisor of 5 master students and trained three undergraduate students.