University of Hamburg Welcomes Three MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows
Three researchers—Dr. Andrey Klebanov, Dr. Dimitra Spathara, and Dr. Marcel Camprubí—have been awarded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships to conduct research at the University of Hamburg. According to the university, these scientists will work on projects involving Sanskrit grammar, dark matter detection, and Arabic music theory to foster European scientific exchange.
How is 9th-century Sanskrit grammar being preserved?
Dr. Andrey Klebanov is leading the “VERGAP” project to edit a previously unpublished 9th-century Kashmiri text known as the Gaṇapāṭhavivṛti. The text presents the word lists of Pāṇini, whose 3rd-century BC Sanskrit grammar is one of the world’s oldest language descriptions, in verse form.
The project, funded with 217,965 Euro, aims to create a digital, freely accessible edition of the text. Klebanov is working under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Harunaga Isaacson within the “Understanding Written Artefacts” excellence cluster to analyze how verse was used to teach complex grammatical rules.
What new materials are being developed for dark matter research?
Dr. Dimitra Spathara is developing ultra-pure, high-strength copper-based alloys through the “PureCuAlloys” project. These materials are intended for the “DarkSPHERE-30” detector, which seeks sub-GeV particles in dark matter.
The 272,456 Euro project focuses on reducing impurities that limit detector sensitivity. According to the university, Spathara is working with Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Nikolopoulos of the “Quantum Universe” cluster to create alloys that could allow for larger detectors or the use of less material.
Why are medieval Arabic musical diagrams significant?
Dr. Marcel Camprubí is investigating the “ARAMUS” project, which examines diagrams in medieval Arabic music theory. He is specifically analyzing al-Farabi’s 10th-century “Great Book of Music” to see how visual representations of pitch and intervals relate to other sciences like medicine and astronomy.
The project is funded with 202,125 Euro and is based in the “Understanding Written Artefacts” cluster under Prof. Dr. Matteo Nanni. Camprubí’s work compares these Arabic diagrams with Greek and Latin works, including those by Boethius and Ptolemies.
What happens next for these researchers?
The fellows will spend the coming months integrating into the University of Hamburg’s research environment. This period may lead to new collaborations between academic and non-academic sectors.
The results of the “PureCuAlloys” project could lead to the direct manufacture of components for the DarkSPHERE-30 detector. Similarly, the “VERGAP” project is expected to result in a public digital archive of the Kashmiri text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three new MSCA fellows at the University of Hamburg?
The fellows are Dr. Andrey Klebanov, Dr. Dimitra Spathara, and Dr. Marcel Camprubí.
What is the purpose of the PureCuAlloys project?
It aims to develop radiopure copper alloys with improved mechanical properties to maximize the potential of dark matter detectors.
Which historical texts is the ARAMUS project analyzing?
The project analyzes al-Farabi’s “Great Book of Music” and compares it to Ptolemy’s “Harmonics” and Boethius’ “Fundamentals of Music.”
Which of these interdisciplinary research fields do you find most surprising?