The school brought together leading researchers and experts that delivered plenary lectures on key topics in functional materials, nanoscience and related interdisciplinary fields. Building on the success of previous editions, including the 2021 DOCFAM school, Emerging 2026 returned as an in-person event, offering a unique opportunity for direct interaction, discussion and networking with distinguished scientists and fellow participants. The topics discussed at this school were ones such as biomaterials, tissue engineering, photonics, electrochemistry, on-surface synthesis of atomically precise nanostructures, integration in devices and magnetism and spintronics.
The invited speakers for the plenary sessions were Romain Quidant (ETH Zürich), Rosa Palacín (ICMAB-CSIC), Giovanni Finocchio (University of Messina), Gabriela Borin Barin (EMPA) and João Mano (University of Aveiro). The invited talks were intercalated with talks by DOCFAM+ PhD candidates. You can check the full programme here.
One of the talks at ICMAB's Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles | ICMAB-CSIC
Over 60 participants attended, from institutions such as ICMAB, UAB, ICN2 or IMB-CNM, for example. Regarding country of origin, there were people from China, Pakistan, Italy and Spain, among many others!
On July 2nd in the afternoon, there was a Career Roundtable with DOCFAM+ Alumni: Maritta Lira (Viver Cleantech), Viktoria Golovanova (ICFO), Sohini Sinha (IDAEA) and Fabiao Santos (Vecmedical).
Round table with DOCFAM+ Alumni | ICMAB-CSIC
Before that, during lunch, there was a poster session with many posters prepared by PhD candidates. They were all really interesting!
As well, two prizes were given: to the Best DOCFAM+ Talk, won by Joseth Pachacama, and to the Best Poster, won by Olga Griaznova. Congratulations to both!
The winners! | ICMAB-CSIC
Laura Cabana, Head of the Strategic Projects Unit at ICMAB and organiser of this event, said: "The Emerging 2026 Summer School provided an outstanding platform for scientific exchange and professional development. It was an excellent opportunity to strengthen knowledge, build new connections, and promote the next generation of researchers in advanced functional materials"
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Oriol
07 July 2026