Thesis in four minutes

Bruna Sánchez, PhD Student in the Maseras group, has won the URV offshoot of the FCRI scientific outreach contest “Presenta la teva tesis en 4 minuts.”

Sánchez’s monologue on computational chemistry and the differences and similarities between mechanochemical reactions and classical chemistry has secured her a place in the final round of the contest, which will be held on June 25th. As recognition of her work, she has been awarded free tuition for her doctoral programme. “I am so happy to have made it to the final, it’s great to see one’s efforts rewarded,” says Sánchez. “I also want to meet the other finalists, I’m sure I will learn a lot from them on how to bring science closer to the public.”

Sánchez delivering her monologue on computational chemistry.

The participants had to explain their thesis in only four minutes minutes simply and engagingly to the general public – although this time, they had to do it online. “The contest went well. I have to admit that rehearsals were tricky because it’s different talking in front of a screen – I find it harder than speaking in public,” declares Sánchez. 

The jury of the contest consisted of URV’s Josep Ribalta (Director of the Doctorate School), Iolanda Tortajada (Dean of the Faculty of Arts), Núria Ruiz (Faculty of Chemistry), Gerard Aragonès (Faculty of Chemistry) and Benjamí Martorell (Faculty of Chemistry).