For one month (10th march to 15th April) I had the opportunity to go in a short- term scientific mission in Università degli Studi di Parma. During this period, I worked with Dr. Paolo Pio Mazzeo and his group on variable temperature X-ray powder diffraction (VT-XRPD). The main goal was to investigate the thermal behaviour and polymorphism of two different crystalline systems: metacetamol and a nicotinamide:adipic acid cocrystal (NIC:AA). Being the first one a benchmark compound of the BEST-CSP COST Action, and the second a proposed one in the research program. Learning Pawley and Rietveld refinement, I determined thermal expansion coefficients for both two known polymorphs of metacetamol and NIC:AA forms I and II, an important parameter for crystal structure prediction.
This was my first time abroad for this long, and I couldn’t choose a better place. University of Parma has a strong and long-standing reputation in crystallography, marked by historical contributions, active research, dedicated facilities, and a commitment to education in the field. The team I had the pleasure of working with was always very helpful, supportive, caring and patient, making it easy to integrate and learn whatever they had to share. And the city itself has a rich history of food, music, art and architecture.
Overall, this STSM grant proved invaluable in developing my practical understanding of VT-XRPD and shared some of my knowledge of thermal analysis with the group that hosted me. It fostered connections with fellow researchers, leading to new experimental ideas and promising ways for future collaborative work.
I am grateful to Fátima Piedade for the introducing me to Dr. Paolo, and Dr. Paolo Mazzeo for his kind welcome and for all the knowledge shared, and to my supervisors, Prof. Manuel Minas da Piedade and Dr. Carlos Bernardes for encouraging me to continue.
This month in Parma has not only been a significant step forward in my research journey but also a deeply enriching personal experience. The knowledge gained, the connections forged, and the memories created will indeed have a lasting influence on my future scientific pursuits.