The ICIQ Summer Fellowship Programme 2024 has been successfully concluded, offering a hands-on learning experience to twelve students. This unique opportunity, granted by ICIQ through the Severo Ochoa Excellence programme, provided the participants to immerse themselves in research projects, gaining insights and practical skills in chemistry and related fields.
Throughout the programme, the students were mentored by a PhD student or a senior researcher under the supervision and guidance of an ICIQ Group Leader, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. This hands-on approach allowed participants to deepen their understanding of the subject matter while enhancing their problem-solving abilities in a research environment.
Reflecting on the programme’s success, Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren, ICIQ Group Leader and Scientific Director of the Severo Ochoa Programme at the Institute, stated, “the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the students over these weeks deserve to be highlighted, demonstrating a promising future of research in chemistry. I am confident that they will continue to excel in their academic and professional careers.”
As these students progress in their academic journeys, ICIQ opens the door for further opportunities. Since the first call in 2011, 128 students have participated in the Summer Fellowship Programme, with 29% continuing their academic training at ICIQ as Master or PhD students. This continuity ensures that the skills and knowledge gained during the summer programme can be further developed in more advanced and specialized research projects.
One of the participating students, Rodrigo Nogués shared his experience, saying, “I am aware of how fortunate I am to work in Prof. Arjan Kleij’s group. It is a meaningful milestone in my career as a chemist. I am delving into cutting-edge research on sustainable chemistry, specifically in organocatalysis, supported by ICIQ’s state-of-the-art facilities which provides an unbeatable environment for my professional growth.”
The closing ceremony took place today, August 29th, and was chaired by Dana Loughran, ICIQ Talent Officer. The 12 students shared their research projects and experiences as ICIQ-ers during the summer in Tarragona. Prof. Echavarren and Prof. Kleij, ICIQ Group Leader and Chair of the Academic Committee, encouraged the students to persevere in their research careers.
Prof. Arjan W. Kleij added, “the Summer Fellowship Programme is crucial for attracting young talent to ICIQ. By allowing students to work directly with our researchers, we help to shape future scientists, in line with the Institute’s commitment to support the next generation of scientific innovators and leaders.”
The Summer Fellowship Programme is made possible through the support of the State Research Agency / Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence Program (CEX2019-000925-S, MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, 2020-2024)
