Professor at Centro Universitário FEI | Brazil
Prof. Marcilei Aparecida Guazzelli is a Brazilian physicist and full professor at Centro Universitário FEI, renowned for her research in radiation physics, nuclear structure, and semiconductor devices. With a strong background in experimental nuclear physics and ionizing radiation effects, she has made impactful contributions to both academic science and applied engineering. Her research spans international collaborations, high-impact publications, and scientific leadership. As the head of multiple laboratories and coordinator of national and international projects, she has positioned herself as a leader in radiation tolerance studies and nuclear materials.
Profile
Google scholar
Scopus
ORCID
📘 Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Guazzelli’s academic journey began at the Institute of Physics, USP, where she earned her undergraduate degree (1990–1994). She pursued a Master’s degree (1996–1999) focused on the atomic force microscopy of diamond films, and later completed her PhD (2002–2004) with work on the nuclear structure of ⁵⁸Co, an odd-odd nucleus. Her early exposure to experimental physics and critical thinking laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to the study of ionizing radiation effects, semiconductors, and nuclear materials. Her rigorous academic training shaped her ability to merge fundamental science with technological application.
🧑🏫 Professional Endeavors
Prof. Guazzelli has held various academic ranks at Centro Universitário FEI, culminating in her promotion to Full Professor in 2017. Previously, she served at Universidade Metodista de São Paulo and played pivotal roles in research infrastructure, heading both LERI and LAFIR laboratories. Her professional contributions include coordinating major national projects such as INCT_Nuclear Physics and CITAR, and serving on several scientific committees and councils. She actively contributes to policy-making, event organization, and interdisciplinary research, often collaborating with institutions like INFN (Italy), USP, and ITA, while maintaining an active teaching role.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Guazzelli’s research focuses on the effects of ionizing radiation on materials and semiconductor devices, a field critical to aerospace, nuclear safety, and microelectronics. Her work investigates total ionizing dose, single-event effects, and neutron interactions in materials like GaN HEMTs, SiC, and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). She also collaborates in the NUMEN project, aiming to understand neutrinoless double beta decay through nuclear matrix elements. With 184 peer-reviewed publications, her findings support both scientific understanding and technological innovation, particularly in developing radiation-hardened devices for extreme environments.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Prof. Guazzelli has established a global impact through her collaborations with European institutions, such as INFN, CNA, and the Polytechnic University of Turin, as well as national partners including FAPESP, CNPq, and USP. Her research findings are widely cited and contribute to international advancements in nuclear physics and electronics. As editor, speaker, and scientific coordinator, she has influenced policies, research priorities, and educational standards. Her participation in projects with CERN, CUBESATS, and LHC demonstrates her integral role in the future of high-energy and applied physics.
📚 Academic Citations
Prof. Guazzelli boasts an H-index of 19, with 1,497 citations listed on Google Scholar—a testament to the influence and relevance of her scholarly output. With over 184 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 7 book chapters, and numerous conference proceedings, her academic presence is substantial. These works are referenced by scholars across nuclear physics, materials science, and radiation effects, indicating her interdisciplinary reach. Her most cited research includes studies on diamond films, GaN HEMTs, neutron interactions, and beta decay. She maintains active profiles on ORCID, ResearchGate, and Publons, making her work accessible and transparent.
🛠️ Research Skills
Prof. Guazzelli demonstrates expertise in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, materials testing under irradiation, and semiconductor failure analysis. She is highly proficient in coordinating complex, multi-institutional experimental campaigns, especially at international particle accelerator labs (INFN, GANIL, ALTO). Her skills extend to data analysis, microscopy, Monte Carlo simulations, and collaborative publication writing. She effectively integrates experimental results into both academic discourse and industry-relevant solutions, showcasing her versatility. Her leadership of multi-year grant-funded projects attests to her ability to manage research teams, secure funding, and contribute meaningful advances in applied nuclear physics and radiation engineering.
👩🏫 Teaching Experience
A dedicated educator, Prof. Guazzelli has served as course coordinator for Physics and Modern Physics at Centro Universitário FEI for over a decade. She teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels, notably in nano-microelectronics and radiation physics, mentoring students in both academic theory and experimental practice. She has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses, guided scientific initiation students, and contributed to curriculum development in Engineering and Applied Physics. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes real-world applications, interdisciplinary knowledge, and inclusive education, and she frequently promotes science communication, especially for young women in STEM.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Prof. Guazzelli has received multiple awards recognizing her commitment to education, research, and gender equality in science. Notably, her students have won Best Presentation at SICFEI (2019, 2020, 2021) and Best Poster at SERESSA (2019, 2020). She has served as Communications Director of the Brazilian Physical Society and as chair/editor of key scientific events such as RTFNB. Her invited talks and public science appearances on TV SEN, Rede Globo, and Canaltech underscore her role in public outreach. Her involvement in events like “Women in Science” showcases her advocacy for inclusion and visibility of women researchers.
🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. Guazzelli’s legacy lies in her dedication to scientific excellence, education, and gender equity in physics. She continues to push boundaries in radiation physics, training the next generation of scientists and engineers. Her role in international collaborations like NUMEN, SAFIIRA, and CERN-related projects ensures her influence will persist in shaping nuclear science policy and application. Through ongoing mentorship, leadership in interdisciplinary projects, and contributions to STEM outreach, she exemplifies the transformative potential of science. Her future work will likely focus on next-generation materials, sustainable nuclear technologies, and cross-border knowledge exchange.
Top Noted Publications
📄Effects of neutron radiation on the thermal conductivity of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
- Authors: Guazzelli, M. A.; Avanzi, L. H.; Aguiar, V. A. P.; Vilas-Boas, A. C.; Alberton, S. G.; Masunaga, S. H.; Chinaglia, E. F.; Araki, K.; Nakamura, M.; Toyama, M. M. et al.
Journal: Diamond and Related Materials
Year: 2025
📄 Single-Event Effects Induced by Monoenergetic Fast Neutrons in Silicon Power UMOSFETs
- Authors: Saulo G. Alberton; Alexis C. Vilas-Bôas; Marcilei A. Guazzelli; Vitor A. P. Aguiar; Matheus S. Pereira; Nemitala Added; Claudio A. Federico; Tássio C. Cavalcante; Evaldo C. F. Pereira Júnior; Rafael G. Vaz et al.
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Device and Materials Reliability
Year: 2025
📄Ion-Induced Charge and Single-Event Burnout in Silicon Power UMOSFETs
- Authors: Saulo G. Alberton; Vitor A. P. Aguiar; Nemitala Added; Alexis C. Vilas-Bôas; Marcilei A. Guazzelli; Jeffery Wyss; Luca Silvestrin; Serena Mattiazzo; Matheus S. Pereira; Saulo Finco et al.
Journal: Electronics
Year: 2025
📄 Evaluation of Funnel Models on Calculation of Ion-Induced Collected Charge
- Authors: Vitor A. P. Aguiar; Nilberto H. Medina; Nemitala Added; Saulo G. Alberton; Eduardo L. A. Macchione; Marcilei A. Guazzelli; Marco A. A. Melo; Juliano A. Oliveira; Renato C. Giacomini; Fernando R. Aguirre et al.
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
Year: 2025
📄 Channel morphology as a key factor to hydrological and sedimentological patterns in the largest fluvial ria lake of Amazonia
- Authors: João Paulo S. de Cortes; Marcilei A. Guazzelli; Jessica F. Curado; Eliane F. Chinaglia; Wagner Sciani; Fabiano N. Pupim; George Luiz Luvizotto
Journal: Journal of South American Earth Sciences
Year: 2023