We connect science, education and society

Innsbruck with mountains, architecture, the River Inn and a bicycle: five colour highlights reveal mathematics and physics in everyday life. — Everyday life becomes a space for discovery. Height, angles and trigonometry; symmetry in architecture; patterns and proportions, a to b; flow and energy, average flow speed v̄ = Q/A; force, motion and balance, net force F_net = ma. The world is full of STEM. MINT-BRUCK makes it visible.

B2B · B2G

01 STEM concepts for institutions

Scientifically grounded STEM concepts for regions, municipalities and educational institutions – from the initial idea to implementation.

Explore practice & research experience

Applied in schools and teacher education

Volksschule Innere Stadt

Innsbruck, Austria · 2024–2025

Mathematics and science in primary school enrichment activities: supporting inquiry, observing children’s reasoning and adapting activities to different learning needs.

University College of Teacher Education Tyrol

Innsbruck, Austria · 2025–2026

Mathematics didactics and reflective practice: distinguishing observation from interpretation, designing rich tasks and improving teaching plans through peer review.

Securing competitive research funding and leading projects

Successful applications for competitive research funding and scientific leadership of independent projects.

Competitive fellowships

2015–2017Lise Meitner Fellowship · Austrian Science Fund (FWF), University of Innsbruck, Austria.
2011–2013Postdoctoral fellowship for women in research and teaching · University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
2008–2011Postdoctoral fellowship · Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany.
2004–2007Doctoral scholarship · German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany.
2002–2004Doctoral scholarship · National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil.

Scientific milestones

A reference for the chemical composition of the solar neighbourhood. Contribution to establishing the Present-day Cosmic Abundance Standard (2012).
International cotutelle doctorate (2007). Joint doctoral programme in Germany and Brazil.

Publications: 90+
Citations: 2,500+
h-index: 27

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02 Expertise & Consulting

International scientific review experience and expertise in astrophysics inform the development of education and science concepts.

View past roles

Hubble & ESO

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)Space Telescope Science Institute, USA · 2020 · Cycle 28
Appointed by the European Space Agency (ESA) to the Stellar Physics panel to review observing proposals as part of the telescope time allocation process.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)Garching, Germany · 2017 · Period 100
Panel member of the Observing Programmes Committee, reviewing proposals for telescope observing time.

Research funding

National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCyT)Argentina · 2015–2018
External reviewer of research proposals for Proyectos de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (PICT), the scientific and technological research projects programme.
Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS)Belgium · 2019 call
External reviewer of research proposals for the Fund for Scientific Research.

Journal peer review

The Astrophysical Journal
The Astronomical Journal
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Communications in Asteroseismology

Scientific Organising Committees

ESO RASPUTIN workshopGarching, Germany · 2014
Scientific Organising Committee member for “Resolved and Unresolved Stellar Populations”.
International Astronomical Union (IAU) Symposium 329Auckland, New Zealand · 2016
Scientific Organising Committee member for “The Lives and Death-Throes of Massive Stars”.

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03 Train the Trainer & Science Workshops

Training for educators and facilitators, alongside science workshops and talks for children, young people and adults.

Available in German, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.

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Working together

Each assignment is tailored to the audience, language, setting and available time. The individual proposal clearly describes design, preparation, delivery, follow-up and materials.

How an assignment takes shape

Start by email. Describe the organisation, objectives, audience and group size, language, location, date, duration, required materials and budget in writing.
Understand the setting. In-person formats include a site visit. The institution provides access and a contact person. Any separate initial assessment is agreed in advance.
Design and prepare. The programme, scientific content and learning activities are adapted. The institution confirms practical arrangements and approves printing.
Deliver and review. Delivery, agreed feedback and material handover form part of the assignment. Venue, resources and any supervision responsibilities are clarified together.
Agree the scope in writing. Tasks, hours, materials, usage rights, dates, price and payment terms are agreed before work begins. Changes require prior agreement.

Materials & copyright

Copyright in her own copyright-protected materials remains with Dr. María Fernanda Nieva. Commissioning an assignment does not grant exclusive rights.

Participants and the institution receive non-exclusive permission to use the materials within the agreed scope. Further copying, distribution or publication requires separate permission, except where permitted by law.

The author retains the right to reuse, develop and subsequently publish her original materials, respecting confidentiality and third-party rights. Third-party images and content remain subject to their respective rights and licence terms.

A non-binding cost estimate is available following a written enquiry. Please make initial contact by email.

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