Empowering Future Scientists: Highlights from INL’s 1st ESRA Symposium

In 2024, the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory buzzed with energy as it hosted the inaugural ESRA Symposium, organised by the Early-Stage Researchers Association (ESRA). This groundbreaking event welcomed over 160 participants, including master’s students, PhD candidates, junior researchers, and early-career scientists, offering a vibrant platform to connect, share, and celebrate their innovative research conducted at INL.

The symposium began with a warm welcome from INL’s Director General, Professor Clivia Sotomayor, who underscored the value of collaboration among emerging researchers. Setting an inspiring tone, Professor Ado Jório, INL’s Deputy Director General, delivered the keynote address, “Seeing the Future.” Prof. Ado provided practical insights on transforming ideas into innovations, emphasising their potential to tackle global challenges. Participants showcased their research through engaging Oral Communications and Poster presentations, with discussions brimming with innovation and collaboration.

Day two featured a compelling keynote presentation by Doctor Catarina Moura, INL’s Science Communication Officer. Her talk, “Bringing Science to Life,” highlighted the critical role of science communication in making research accessible to wider audiences and strategies to deepen public engagement with scientific discoveries. The symposium celebrated the outstanding contributions of its participants, presenting 15 Oral Communications and over 50 posters that stimulated lively exchanges and sparked new ideas.

As the event concluded, awards were presented to recognize excellence:

Oral Communication Awards:

:: Master’s Student: Daniela Macedo (Diéguez Research Group)

:: Junior Researcher: João Henriques (Rossier Research Group)

:: Early-Career Researcher: Manuel Rodrigues (Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies Research Group)

Best Poster Awards:

:: Master’s Student: Adriana Oliveira (Alpuim Research Group)

:: Junior Researcher: Lara Pierantoni (Diéguez Research Group)

:: Early-Career Researcher: Inês Garcia (Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies Research Group)

These accolades highlighted the exceptional talent and dedication of INL’s young researchers.

The 1st ESRA Symposium was a milestone event, fostering a collaborative environment where early-career researchers could exchange ideas, learn from one another, and gain recognition for their work. It epitomised INL’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists. Early-Stage Researchers are the backbone of scientific progress, and INL is steadfast in its mission to provide them with transformative opportunities for growth. Through initiatives like the ESRA Symposium, we aim to empower these talented individuals with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration they need to excel in their careers and drive future innovations.

Stay tuned for more exciting ESRA activities in 2025 as we continue building a foundation where talent flourishes, curiosity thrives, and innovation leads the way.