- The Women Scientists at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale commemorate #11F, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with various activities
Once again, the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale (IIBM), CSIC-UAM joins the campaign #Todas hacemos ciencia to raise awareness that both women and men are equally capable of working in all areas of science. Furthermore, we are deeply committed to fostering scientific vocations in girls and adolescents, which is why our audience is primarily made up of Primary and Secondary school students.
For this #11F celebration, a scientific tour of the IIBM is a must. On February 26, 2nd-year Bachillerato students from Colegio Divina Pastora-Calasancias in Getafe visited the IIBM. Teresa Navarro and Patricia Sánchez from the Biomedical NMR Service, Sebastián Cerdán, and Mónica Martín Belinchón from the Optical and Confocal Microscopy Service coordinated the activity titled “Bioimaging Techniques in Biomedical Research.” Also Mercedes Mirasierra, Bárbara Acosta and Elena del Fresno collaborated in this event.
Ana Guadaño and Soledad Bárez organized the popular event "Cheers to Women in Neuroscience" titled “Neuroscience is Female: Telling the Journey of Two Young Neuroscientists”, which took place at the Mirador del Arco de Cuchilleros (in Cava de San Miguel, in the heart of Madrid) on February 7 at 7:30 pm. This year, the audience enjoyed the journey into neuroscience initiated by two young neuroscientists: Beatriz Muñoz Falder, from the Hormonas Tiroideas y Sistema Nervioso Central group at the IIBM, and Christina Reyburn Valés from the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC). The event is inspired by the successful international scientific outreach movement "Pint of Science". "In this case, we aim to adapt the idea to a similar setting, with the prominent participation of female neuroscientists and the opportunity to enjoy good neuroscience in a relaxed atmosphere. We aim to connect women-led neuroscience with society, recognize the role of female neuroscientists, and encourage women’s interest and vocation in this field of science,” says Ana Guadaño, head of the Hormonas Tiroideas y Sistema Nervioso Central group.
Beatriz Muñoz Falder presenting her talk at the Restaurante Mirador Arco de Cuchilleros
Theater: "We Take Care of Our Heart": Silvia Martín Puig and Susana Mendoza Tamajón organized a “really cool” activity with kindergarten students from Colegio Tagore on February 11. The children were the protagonists of a theater workshop where they learned the importance of eating well for the health of our heart. “Some children performed a "parade" representing the arterial wall, others were fruits and vegetables and passed through the “artery” with their arms close to their bodies, simulating that they passed through without getting blocked. Other children plyed the role of fats and processed foods, passing through the "parade-artery" with arms extended, blocking the path,” explains Silvia Martín Puig. To complete the activity, they showed a video of the laboratory with the researchers at work and ended by showing pictures of mouse models from the lab with coronary thrombosis or hypertrophy so the children understood that when arteries become blocked, the heart suffers.
Numerous female scientists from the IIBM were invited by educational institutions to celebrate #11F by sharing their talks. Students from various grades were lucky to spend some hours learning about science.
Ángela Martínez-Valverde talked about obesity and associated diseases at Colegio Altair Internacional and also at IES Mirasierra on February 6 and 26, respectively.
Pilar Santisteban delivered two lectures to 3rd and 5th-grade Primary students at CEIP República de Paraguay on February 11. The titles of the talks were: "The Role of Iodine and Thyroid Hormones in Health".
María Alieva participated in the #11F campaign with a conference titled “Rockets and Microscopes: The Legacy of Women Computers” at CEIP Ángel León of Colmenar Viejo on February 12.
Isabel Lastres was invited by IES Lope de Vega on February 13, after they met through La Semana de La Ciencia, where Isabel talked about Parkinson’s. The talk given to commemorate #11F was titled: "Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Cured?"
Lupe Villegas, a researcher from María Alieva´s group, was invited by IES Villa de Vallecas to give a lecture to 3rd-year ESO students, titled "Hidden Stories in Proteins, Cells, and Tissues" on February 18.
Cristina Peña Maroto talked about cancer at CEIP Los Ángeles in Torrelodones on February 20. The title of her lecture is: "Cancer: The Challenge of 21st Century Medicine".
Marina Lasa visited IES Newton-Salas in Villanueva de la Torre, Guadalajara on March 7. Her talk is titled: "The Fascinating Journey of a Woman in the World of Science" .
María Monsalve travelled to IES Senda Galiana in Torres de la Alameda, Madrid, to give a talk about Gut Health, a topic that is currently very trendy and surrounded by many Fake News. María Monsalve cleared up all the doubts from students and teachers on March 10.
The female researchers at the IIBM are very grateful for the trust placed in us, as we honor all the women scientists of today and those who have preceded us on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.