Welcome day
On the 1st of July, Nadia, Xènia, Eduard and Violeta arrived at ICMAB and were welcomed by their supervisors: Tjasa Pavcnik (SSC), Núria Pujol (from Nanomol-bio, a role she shared with Guillem Vargas from the same group), Deyana Tchitchekova (SSC), and Lluis Casabona (eMolMat), respectively. On their first day at ICMAB, they got a glimpse of what their stay at the centre would be like. Anna Drou, from the Communication Department, presented ICMAB’s research and organization, as well as the activities they would be taking part in during their stay.
Tjasa Pavcnik (SSC) introducing herself and her research
After that, they were introduced to the three research lines at ICMAB. Guillem Whetherell (NN), from the Health research line, gave a talk on bacterial cellulose. María Ortiz (eMolMat), from the Electronics research line, introduced the students to organic field-effect transistors. Finally, Ona Mola (SUMAN), from the Energy research line, talked about superconductivity.
Ona Mola (SUMAN) introducing the students to superconductivity
After a short coffee and cookies break, it was time for presentations. The four students introduced themselves and shared their motivations for joining the Joves i Ciència programme. Then, the supervisors explained the projects their hosted students would be working on, so everyone ended up on the same page.
Xènia, Eduard and Nadia during the first days at ICMAB
Enhancing the research and its impact at ICMAB
During the third week of the students’ stay at ICMAB, they participated in two activities aimed at helping them understand the role of the Scientific and Technical Services (STSs) and the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) at the centre.
Miquel Galindo on the process of translating basic research into technological innovation
Miquel Galindo (KTU) gave a talk on the process of taking a research idea to real-world implementation, and all the people and expertise required along the way. He also proposed an exercise for students to reflect on the societal and commercial potential of the projects they were working on.
The students during the ICMAB services discovery challenge
Later, the students were given a map of ICMAB to help them locate four of its SCTs: the X-Ray Diffraction Service, the Transmission Electron Microscopy Service, the Nanoquim Clean Room, and the Magnetometry and Low Temperatures Service. At the end of the day, they were quizzed on what they had learned and received an ICMAB t-shirt as a prize!
Nadia, Violeta and Eduard after the Scientific and Technical Services challenge
Last day at ICMAB
On their last day at ICMAB, Nadia, Xènia, Violeta, and Eduard made the effort to summarise what they had learned and done at ICMAB. It was impressive to see the level of understanding they had gained in less than a month, something that would not have been possible without their motivation and the guidance of their supervisors.
Eduard, Nadia and Violeta during their final presentations
In under a month, the students were exposed to the wide range of work carried out at ICMAB, gaining insight into the excellent research conducted at the centre. They also met the Argó project students, with whom they shared conversations and their final outreach activity.
Among the highlights of their experience, the students mentioned working in the labs of their assigned groups, using materials and equipment handled by researchers. They also expressed surprise at discovering the "hidden" parts of research: the cleaning, preparation, and behind-the-scenes processes essential to scientific work.
Be a host in 2026
Next summer, the Joves i Ciència programme will be back. Would you like to host a student? Stay tuned for the 2026 call, or write to
More information
July is the time for the "Joves i Ciència" internships at ICMAB (ICMAB, 2022)
Two students engaged in cutting-edge research projects at ICMAB through the "Joves i Ciència" Programme (ICMAB, 2023)
Joves i Ciència programme (Fundació Catalunya la Pedrera)
