An Imperial engineer has received one of Portugal's highest honours in recognition of her contribution to science.

Dr Zita Martins, from Imperial’s Department of Earth Science and Engineering,  was appointed an Officer of the Order of Saint James of the Sword (Oficial da Ordem Militar de Sant'Iago da Espada, OSE) for exceptional and outstanding merits in science.

Dr Martins with the Collar of the Order of Saint James of the Sword medal

The Order Militar de Sant'Iago da Espada is one of the oldest Military orders in Portugal, founded in 1172. It is the equivalent of receiving an OBE in the UK.

In recognition of her prestigious appointment, Dr Martins received the “Collar of the Order of Saint James of the Sword” medal, from the President of Portugal Dr Aníbal António Cavaco Silva.

At Imperial Dr Martins, in conjunction with her colleagues, has made several major discoveries. These include finding evidence for a ‘cosmic factory’ for producing the building blocks of life called amino acids. She discovered that when icy comets collide into a planet, amino acids can be produced. These essential building blocks are also produced if a rocky meteorite crashes into a planet with an icy surface. This finding provided another piece to the puzzle of how life was kick-started on Earth, after a period of time between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago when the planet had been bombarded by comets and meteorites.

In other research Dr Martins also confirmed for the first time that an important component of early genetic material, which was found in meteorite fragments, was extra-terrestrial in origin. The finding suggested that parts of the raw materials to make the first molecules of DNA and RNA may have come from the stars. This research provided evidence that life’s raw materials came from sources beyond the Earth.

Professor Jan Cilliers, Head of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, said: “Zita is an outstanding researcher and her work has the potential to change our very understanding of how life may have originated on Earth. I am so pleased that she has been recognised with one of Portugal’s highest honours, one she richly deserves. It is important to note that Zita is still in the early stage of her scientific career, so receiving this accolade really underlines the rapid strides she is making in her field. I look forward to her next scientific discovery, which I am sure will get the worldwide recognition her previous endeavours have done.”

Dr Martins received her medal at a ceremony held in Lamego, Portugal, on 10 of June, which is Portugal’s national day of celebration.