Dr.-Ing. habil. Maria Rita Cicconi has successfully completed her habilitation in the field of materials science. The dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marc Stamminger, congratulated her on receiving her teaching qualification during the presentation of her habilitation certificate.
In a brief interview, Ms. Cicconi shared with us her motivation for pursuing her habilitation and her plans for the future.
Topic of the habilitation thesis
„Developing functional glass-ceramics by understanding the structure-property relationship“
What was your motivation?
For me, pursuing a habilitation was not so much a predefined career goal as the natural next step in my academic journey. I have always been fascinated by the study of materials, whether natural or engineered, because they offer endless opportunities to gain new insights and to share those discoveries with others, especially through teaching/mentoring. It is precisely this combination of research and teaching that makes an academic career so appealing to me.
A major motivation for pursuing a habilitation was the opportunity to develop my own courses and to support students at different stages of their academic journey, from Bachelor’s and Master’s theses to PhD projects. In my experience, teaching is a powerful way of learning. Explaining complex scientific concepts often leads to a deeper understanding and can open up new perspectives for one’s own research. Equally rewarding is seeing students and young researchers grow into independent scientists and contribute their own ideas.
Another important factor was the outstanding environment at the Chair of Glass and Ceramics. The close collaboration with colleagues, the support of my mentor, and the opportunity to participate in international research projects provided ideal conditions for both scientific and personal development. For me, the habilitation was therefore an opportunity to further develop my independence in research, teaching, and mentoring, while continuing along a path in academia that I truly enjoy.
What are your future plans?
Looking ahead, I would like to continue on the path that has shaped me in recent years, with a clear focus on materials science and addressing interdisciplinary research questions. I am particularly interested in how fundamental scientific insights can contribute to solutions for everyday and socially relevant problems.
A key priority remains close collaboration with international partners and the further development of joint research projects. I view interdisciplinary exchange as a central foundation for developing new strategies and linking research to concrete applications across various fields.
Contact
Dr.-Ing. habil. Maria Rita Cicconi
Institute of Glass and Ceramics
maria.rita.cicconi@fau.de