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\u201c<\/span>Spanish girls want to be #ASTRONAUTS. It\u2019s not a dream; it\u2019s a reality<\/span><\/a>\u201d posted Sara Garc\u00eda Alonso after the publication of the Annual Adecco Survey, which asked over 1,100 children about what they dreamed of doing as a job.<\/span><\/p>\n Sara, a molecular biologist at Spain\u2019s National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the country\u2019s first candidate to become an astronaut for the European Space Agency, has managed to make travelling into space seem possible and has fired the imagination of young girls. Because when a woman is visible, when she forges a path, many more girls can see themselves in her place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s why today, to commemorate the <\/span>International Day of Women and Girls in Science<\/b>, we\u2019re taking a look at three members of our CaixaResearch network: <\/span>Almudena R. Ramiro<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Biola M. Javierre<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Luisa V. Lopes<\/span><\/a>. Researchers who are an example of the talent possessed by this community. Women who, with their work, are driving key advances in biomedicine and healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019re focusing on them today because we need more role models in which we can recognise ourselves. Because no-one dreams of something they don\u2019t know. And because it\u2019s the only way that, tomorrow, we might be able to read:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYoung girls want to be #RESEARCHERS. It\u2019s not a dream; it\u2019s a reality\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cNo-one in my family did research but, when I started my degree, I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Marisa Toribio, who quickly became my first and most important mentor\u201d explains Almudena fondly. \u201cI started going to her laboratory in the afternoons, after class, and ended up doing my thesis with her at the Molecular Biology Centre (CBMSO) in Madrid\u201d. Today Almudena is researching new immune targets for treating cardiovascular disease at Spain\u2019s National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC).<\/span><\/p>\n For Almudena, women like Rosalind Franklin and Marie Curie are essential historical figures but sometimes they\u2019re \u201cmodels that seem distant, unreachable; models who girls and young women may not feel a particular connection with\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n She points out that \u201chaving more familiar scientific role models from your own country who are living in the same era helps you realise that the decisions, contexts or challenges they face can be very similar to your own. It makes you think that you can follow the same path as well\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Her enthusiasm is noticeable when she talks about the role models who are close to her. \u201cIn Spain we have some great female scientists, such as \u00c1ngela Nieto, Isabel Fari\u00f1as, Pura Mu\u00f1oz, Carola Vinuesa, Mar\u00eda \u00c1ngeles Moro, Paola Bovolenta…\u201d, she tells us, highlighting the talent and the tangible example they provide.<\/span><\/p>\n At the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) in Portugal we meet Luisa V. Lopes, who’s developing an innovative technique to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. According to Luisa, it\u2019s her mother and two sisters who inspire her every day, even though they\u2019re not scientists. \u201cThey\u2019re independent, intelligent and brave\u201d she says, with admiration.<\/span><\/p>\n Continuing our chain of references, Luisa tells us about other women who not only stand out for their talent but also dedicate time to supporting and guiding new generations. \u201cThere are some incredible neuroscientists who\u2019ve been an example to me and who help others find their way: such as Ana Jo\u00e3o Rodrigues, Luisa Pinto, Paula Pousinha, Nora Abrous and Carol Barnes\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\nAbout Almudena<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nAbout Luisa<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nAbout Biola<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\n
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