Mayra Albuquerque is a physicist and researcher with a strong interest in interdisciplinary science and education. She studied Physics in Brazil, earning her Master’s degree at the University of São Paulo, where she is currently completing her PhD. Her current investigation uses physics and computational methods to study cultural heritage objects and develop new ways of understanding them.
Alongside her research, Mayra worked as a teaching assistant and academic tutor in undergraduate Physics courses at the University of São Paulo. She particularly enjoyed helping students understand concepts, navigate the early stages of university, and gain confidence in their own abilities. Drawing on her own experience, she believes that everyone with an interest in STEM deserves to feel that they belong. This belief has also led her to become involved in initiatives such as BrilhanteMente, a network that supports women at different stages of their careers in Physics.
Mayra is originally from Alagoas in northeastern Brazil, a county known for its beautiful coastline, and later lived in São Paulo, one of the largest cities in Brazil. She is happy to be living close to the sea again in Tallinn and to have so much nature around her. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, especially the novels of the Brontë sisters, getting to know different cultures and learning languages, spending time with loved ones, and walking in nature.
Last updated on: August 17, 2026